Positive Placements

This project aims to provide connections to volunteer opportunities and practical experiences for Montreal area secondary students, interested in gaining knowledge in and exposure to health and social services careers.

The Collective Community Services (CCS) collaborates with relevant institutions and schools to connect students to volunteer opportunities. Students are encouraged to follow health and social services careers and curricula, and are supported over the length of this program, resulting in English-speaking students being ready to work in the health and social services field in Montreal. Information gathered from engaged students is entered into a student data bank, maintained internally by CCS. Information gathered is used to track English-speaking and bilingual students who are interested in pursuing careers in the health and social services and is monitored over time to ensure these students are receiving support to stay and practice in Quebec. Students who participate in the Positive Placements program are required to complete a survey and goal-setting exercises, outlining their expectations for the program. Engaged institutions are those who are part of the CCS network, who are pre-assessed and engaged to ensure their suitability for student placements. Emphasis is placed on institutions that need additional support to adequately provide services in English. Volunteer training is the responsibility of the engaged organization, and the student is accountable for fulfilling their volunteer commitments. The student, the school, and the organization receive formal recognition upon completion of the program. Follow-up and evaluation of both the program and the student are issued through interviews and surveys. Organizations providing opportunities are also be given a follow-up survey upon completion of the program.