The warehouse of Accès-Loisirs Québec is brimming with a variety of items such as hockey jerseys, skis, tennis rackets, sleeping bags, soccer cleats, and guitars. Situated in Quebec City’s Charlesbourg neighborhood, residents visit the facility to explore new hobbies. Pauline Tanguay, the general manager of this non-profit organization, expressed her delight in working there, having been part of Accès-Loisirs since its inception in Quebec City 25 years ago.
Recognizing a trend of people seeking assistance for food and housing but remaining isolated at home, the founders of Accès-Loisirs aimed to combat this isolation by enhancing access to sports and culture. Every quarter, individuals from low-income households in Quebec can visit the center with proof of income to receive free equipment. In addition to sports gear, musical instruments, and board games are also available, with the option for harder-to-find items to be borrowed.
Furthermore, the center frequently raffles tickets for local cultural events like concerts, plays, and comedy shows. The focus is on providing equipment and opportunities rather than selling goods. Volunteers, including retired doctor Yves Johnson, dedicate their time to cleaning and refurbishing donated equipment, ensuring top-quality items are available for users.
Chloé Garneau-Dupuis, a long-time visitor to the warehouse, shared how the service helped her enjoy skating weekends with her daughters in Quebec City. As her daughters outgrow the equipment, she returns it for others to use. Tanguay highlighted the increasing need for such services due to rising living costs, expressing a desire for leisure activities to become more accessible in the future.
Despite the challenges, Tanguay remains optimistic, noting the growing trend of equipment donations from the public to support those in need. The organization has distributed around 120,000 pieces of equipment yearly and has assisted other regions in implementing similar programs to promote sports and cultural engagement for their residents. Tanguay emphasized the importance of recognizing that anyone could face financial difficulties, underlining the necessity for such inclusive initiatives in the community.