Head & Hands has been serving NDG youth ages 12–25 with free services since 1970, including medical care, legal support, and counseling. They also run a Young Parents Program for parents and parents-to-be under 25, and a weekly food pantry.
Their satellite location on Décarie, The Rec NDG, is a drop-in centre for teens 13–17 offering workshops and recreational sports, and home to something pretty special: a music program that's been running since 2013. Teens can drop in to jam, practice, and use instruments, or book studio time to record their music, poetry, and other projects — learning mixing and mastering along the way.
Money raised at this year's Porchfest goes directly to supporting this program and the young people it serves.
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À deux mains dessert les jeunes de NDG âgés de 12 à 25 ans avec des services gratuits depuis 1970 : soins médicaux, soutien juridique, programme pour jeunes parents et distribution hebdomadaire de denrées alimentaires.
Leur succursale sur Décarie, Le Rec NDG, est un centre de jour pour les ados de 13 à 17 ans offrant des ateliers, des activités sportives et un programme de musique depuis 2013 — pour jammer, pratiquer, ou enregistrer leur musique et leurs projets personnels en studio.
Les fonds amassés lors de Balconfête cette année sont versés directement à ce programme et aux jeunes qu'il sert.
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In previous years, PorchfestNDG raised funds for these local organizations: (en français ici)
2025: PorchfestNDG raised $6,900 for the Loyola Centre, an inclusive youth and teen community centre in western NDG.
2024: PorchfestNDG raised over $15,000 for Women on the Rise, a nonprofit organization based in NDG that offers non-judgmental, empowerment-based individual and group support programs and services to women and their families. Leur devise est « aider les femmes à s’aider elles-mêmes ».
2023: PorchfestNDG raised over $10,000 for the NDG Community Council an organization that helps promote the arts by supporting projects and initiatives through collaboration, facilitation, training, brainstorming, grant writing, and the organization of art projects throughout the community.
2022: PorchfestNDG raised $7,700 for Bienvenue à NDG, an organization that provides support to immigrant families and connects them with essential services.
2019: PorchfestNDG raised $8,900 for a music program at the St. Raymond Community Centre. Find out about the other activities and services offered by the St. Raymond Community Centre.
2018: PorchfestNDG raised over $6,700 for a multicultural choir at the Walkley Centre. Find out about the other activities and services offered by The Walkley Centre.
2017: PorchfestNDG raised over $5,000 for the Westhaven-Elmhurst Community Association, which offers free programs for teens and young adults in the NDG area of Montreal. Tous les dons pour Balconfête NDG 2017 ont été versés afin d’améliorer les ressources pour l’éducation musicale des jeunes de NDG via les activités inclusives et accessibles du programme de Westhaven.
2016: PorchfestNDG raised $3,400 for the J2K's music program.
2015: Each band raised money for the charity of their choice.
