Montreal, January 31, 2025 On January 28, nearly 100 people from the sports, Canadian Armed Forces, and business communities gathered to open a frank conversation about major life transitions. It was a well-attended success for this first "Grandes Transitions" event by the organization Quatre-Chemins, as well as a mutual success between the panelists and guests, as the messages directly hit their targets.
Describing the evening as an opportunity to «dip a big toe in the water» to test what Quatre-Chemins can be, the executive director, Cassandra Poudrier, specified that the intention of the Grandes Transitions evenings was above all to create a welcoming environment to democratize the conversation around career transition.
And indeed, the evening around a virtual fire allowed dozens of people from different backgrounds to get to know each other and start discussions on a subject that is still taboo. The panelists Caroline Ouellette, four-time Olympic gold medalist in hockey, Éric Sansoucy, general contractor, property owner and manager, and Hélène LeScelleur, a retired Canadian Armed Forces captain, opened up with great authenticity and tangible generosity about their personal experiences. They also described how Quatre-Chemins and its staff were able to support them in reaching their current point of balance.
Event partners, the Aléo Foundation, the organization The Trail and Desjardins they not only offered their financial support but also made a point of being present and surrounding themselves with people who are or will soon be going through crucial professional moments.
Citations:
«This first evening of the Grandes Transitions was an opportunity for us to collaborate with our partners to open the conversation on the notion of career transition and to normalize the emotions and feelings that stem from it. It is very encouraging for us to see so many people turn out to talk about transition.»
– Cassandra Poudrier
Managing Director Quatre-Chemins
«Being a partner of such an evening is essential for Le Sentier, because these discussions on change and transition resonate deeply with our mission: to support veterans in their transition to civilian life. By joining forces with committed partners, we create spaces to inspire, support, and shed light on major life turning points.»
– Chloé Deraiche
Managing Director Le Sentier
«The guests» sharing was inspiring and truly demonstrates how the Quatre-Chemins approach puts people at the heart of the transition experience, which goes beyond a career transition.»
– Isabelle Longchamps
Vice President of Talent at Desjardins Group
«Student-athlete career transition is at the heart of our mission at the Aléo Foundation. Our signature is «propelling athletes beyond sport,» and supporting them through the next steps of their lives is a moment when we must be present, as well as a time when we deploy crucial professional services. Furthermore, we are firmly convinced that the skills acquired by our bursary recipients throughout their athletic journeys make them exceptional candidates for the job market—standout recruits who become gems for everyone who works with them.»
– Patricia Demers
Executive Director of the Aléo Foundation
About Four-Paths
Quatre-Chemins has a mission to transform the transition experience for individuals from high-performance backgrounds, such as the Canadian Armed Forces, sports, business, and the performing arts. Through workshops, conferences, and programs that foster the intersection of different fields and perspectives, we support and equip members of our community during periods of transition so that the next chapter of their lives is synonymous with coherence and peace.
About The Trail
The Trail: An Ally in the Transition to Civilian Life
The Path is a space dedicated to male and female veterans who wish to move forward peacefully in their transition to civilian life. With our four service points across Quebec, we offer personalized support that meets the unique needs of each individual. Our services include tailored psychosocial interventions, administrative support, safe temporary housing, and various programs such as music, yoga, integration volunteering, and creative art, designed to enhance overall well-being. Whether it is to find resources, discuss their reality, or explore new avenues, The Path is here to support the veteran community at every stage of the transition.
About the Aléo Foundation
Founded in 1985, the Fondation de l’athlète d’excellence (FAEQ) has awarded over $25 million in scholarships to nearly 5,000 outstanding student-athletes from across Quebec. To clarify the organization's mission to empower athletes beyond their sport, the FAEQ changed its name and branding in 2022, now known as the Fondation Aléo. In addition to continuing its scholarship and support services for tomorrow's leaders, it reaffirms its personalized approach, focusing on the overall development and well-being within the performance of its scholarship recipients.
For more information: fondationaleo.ca as well as the Aléo Foundation's official pages on our platforms:
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Annie Dubé
Director of Communications and Marketing
Aléo Foundation
438-884-6626
