For 50 years, the Marie-Vincent Foundation has been dedicated to building a world free of violence for children and teenagers, supporting both young victims of sexual violence and those exhibiting sexual behaviour problems, through essential services, strong partnerships, and innovative initiatives. Explore key milestones in our history and some details about the celebrations surrounding this anniversary.
History
The Marie-Vincent Foundation was founded in 1975 to address the urgent needs of children receiving services from the Marie-Vincent Centre, established a decade earlier by Marguerite Séguin-Desnoyers. At the time, the Centre provided social, psychiatric, educational, and psychological services to children aged 5 to 12 experiencing significant socio-emotional difficulties. Over the years, due to growing needs and a lack of available resources, the Foundation expanded its mission to support children who are survivors of sexual violence.
The Québec government created youth centres, integrating the Marie-Vincent Centre into the Montréal Youth Centre. The Foundation later separated from that organization and redefined its mission to help children under 12 who had experienced abuse.
To mark its 30th anniversary, the Marie-Vincent Foundation established the Marie-Vincent Centre of Expertise on Sexual Violence and the Marie-Vincent Interuniversity Research Chair on Sexual Violence Against Children. This milestone marked the beginning of direct services for children under 12 who had experienced sexual violence, as well as those presenting sexual behaviour problems. The Marie-Vincent Centre became Québec’s first Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC), bringing together police, medical, psychosocial and therapeutic services under one roof.
The first training sessions were offered to the health and social services network, with a formal agreement signed in 2013 with the responsible department (MSSS). In 2018, a second agreement was signed with the Department of Education, followed by another in 2021 with the Department of Justice to train professionals in the socio-judicial sector.
Marie-Vincent expanded its services to provide assistance to teenagers who had experienced sexual violence. That same year, the prevention service was launched and began the reflections that would lead to the deployment of the Lantern program for children aged 0 to 5 in 2019. In 2017, the prevention program for teenagers was launched.
To meet the growing demand for support and expand its impact, Marie-Vincent opened a second centre in Montérégie.
Marie-Vincent celebrated 50 years of the Foundation, as well as 20 years of the Centre of Expertise on Sexual Violence and the Interuniversity Research Chair on Sexual Violence Against Children.
50 Years of Commitment to Youth
On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, Marie-Vincent highlighted the progress made since its creation. This landmark year was an opportunity to reflect on five decades of commitment to children and adolescents, through specialized services, prevention actions and sustained mobilization work.
Why 2025 Was a Year We Wished to Pay Tribute
To the many achievements, including:
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The enhancement of our services;
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The development of prevention projects adapted to current realities;
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Landmark events that enabled us to shine, increase our visibility and raise essential funding to continue our mission;
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To the allies, partners and donors who have contributed, over the years, to help Marie-Vincent grow.
It was also an opportunity to look back on the journey with pride, while reaffirming our commitment to continue our work with conviction.
A Visual Identity to Celebrate Together
A special visual identity was developed to mark this 50th anniversary. It symbolized the difficult path climbed by young victims of sexual violence to overcome their difficulties, accompanied by their backpack, the right tools and the necessary support. This ascent represented the courage and perseverance required to reach the summit and see the horizon of a better future.
This symbol was used both during our therapy sessions with young people and by our prevention and training team, particularly in the imagery of the book One Step at a Time with Lou. This illustration also represented the peaks reached and to be reached by Marie-Vincent, progressively, to build a protective community and contribute to a world without violence.
Together, one step at a time.
50th Anniversary Activities
Several initiatives marked the 50th anniversary, including the broadcast of an advertisement featuring the voice of our spokesperson, Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin, as well as various visibility and mobilization actions.
These moments helped highlight Marie-Vincent’s history, strengthen ties with our communities and remind us of the importance of continuing our efforts to prevent sexual violence and support young victims.
Contribute Directly to Our Mission
Marie-Vincent’s 50 years of impact would not have been possible without the unwavering commitment of our donors and supporters. Your contributions represent more than half of our operational funding.
Today, you can help us build the next 50 years and provide young people with a better future.