Community relations


As a non-profit organization, the Impact has been actively involved in the community and has developed partnerships with various organizations over the years. The team has opted to support and encourage causes that revolve primarily around children.

All the way with the Impact
The Montreal Impact, the English Montreal School Board (EMSB), the Sir-Wilfrid-Laurier School Board, the CSPI, the Commission scolaire de Montréal (CDSM), the Lester B. Pearson School Board, the FEEP, the Commission Scolaire Marie Victorin and the Riverside School Board have teamed up in a stay-in-school program called All the way with the Impact (Jusqu’au bout avec l’Impact), designed to promote the importance of persevering in school. Every season, two students from each school board also receive the Tony Licursi Bursary, awarded to children who have excelled in school and in sports. The bursary is named after the late Tony Licursi, a long-time statistician and friend of the club, who was devoted to the cause of helping children better themselves.

www.csdm.qc.ca
www.emsb.qc.ca
www.swlauriersb.qc.ca
www.cspi.qc.ca
www.cadre.qc.ca
www.rsb.qc.ca
www.csmv.qc.ca
Reach your goal with the Impact / Quebec Breakfast Club
The Montreal Impact and the Quebec Breakfast Club teamed up with the program called Reach your goal with the Impact. The program is designed to promote the importance of cooperation and team spirit on a day-to-day basis. The project focuses on teamwork but also promotes health and schooling. Children participating in the program take on team challenges and tasks, helped by Impact defender Adam Braz's expertise and tips.

www.clubdejeuners.org/
Right to Play Program & Spread the Net / UNICEF
The Montreal Impact and UNICEF teamed up in 2008 with the Right To Play program, which raises awareness among the youth on the importance of sports and leisure in promoting health, development and peace, particularly in disadvantaged countries. More than 30 awareness workshops will be presented yearlong by Impact team builders Lloyd Barker and Gabriel Gervais, as well as goalkeeper coach Youssef Dahha, in Montreal schools. New this year: team captain Mauro Biello is the new spokesperson for the Spread the Net campaign to help raise funds in schools for the fight against malaria, which kills one child every 30 seconds in Africa. The school that will raise the most funds will win a grand prize consisting of a soccer clinic presented by Mauro Biello and Youssef Dahha.

www.unicef.ca
www.unfiletdespoir.org
Back-to-school campaign / Regroupement des magasins Partage & Commission scolaire de Montréal (CSDM)
Le Regroupement des magasins Partage de l'Ile de Montréal helps underprivileged families on the Montreal island. The Impact first started supporting this organization in 2004 as part of the back-to-school campaign. Over 1,750 kids and their families received a wide variety of food and school items for one-tenth of the actual price.

This service not only helps fill the needs of the children, but also those of their families, allowing the latter to purchase enough food for breakfast and lunch for an entire week, during a financially difficult time for low-revenue households.

Links:
www.rmpim.org
Shaved Head Challenge / Leucan
Leucan is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting greater wellbeing and healing among children with cancer and to provide support to their families. The organization also makes paediatric oncology research one of its main priorities. In 2010, Montreal Impact striker Eduardo Sebrango took part in the Shaved Head Challenge in solidarity for children with cancer. Established by Leucan a decade ago, the challenge is the organization’s biggest fundraising event which invites participants to have their heads shaved to meet two main objectives: raise funds to support the numerous services offered by Leucan and raise awareness about children with cancer who undergo changes to their body image such as hair loss during chemotherapy.

www.leucan.qc.ca/
Montreal Impact Bursaries
In 2005, the Impact launched a new program called the Montreal Impact Bursaries, through a partnership with the Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence. The Impact will give $90,000 to promising young athletes over the next three years.

Admission criteria (French only)

Links:
www.faeq.com
www.impactmontreal.com
Walk of Courage / Procure
Since 2007, the Montreal Impact supports Procure, a not-for-profit organization committed to encouraging education, treatment and research for prostate cancer. Together wit the Canadiens and the Alouettes, the Montreal Impact takes part in the Walk of Courage, a major popular gathering held on Father’s Day every year. On this occasion, the Impact mobilizes its ambassadors, as well as team mascot Tac-Tik, and joins thousands of walkers with the view to raise funds for the prevention and treatment of a cancer that affects one out of seven men. In 2010, close to half a million dollars were raised during the 4th edition of the Walk.

In the photo, from left to right: Tac-Tik, Robin Burns, Joey Saputo, John Wash, Cédric Bisson and Jean Pagé.

PROCURE

WALK OF COURAGE
Hospital visits
In a continuous effort to contribute to the health and wellbeing of children, Impact players and team mascot Tac-Tik visit children at paediatric hospitals of the Montreal area. During these visits, players offer Impact gifts and encouraging words to hospitalized children.

http://www.shrinershq.org
http://www.thechildren.com

http://www.chu-sainte-justine.org
Soccer for Life - The Vita Children's Foundation
In October 2002, the DeSantis-Adornato family (Mrs. DeSantis is the sister of the Impact's head coach) established The Vita Fund to help young children suffering from cancer. The not-for-profit, volunteer-based organisation's mission is promote awareness about childhood cancer as well as to raise funds for pediatric oncology care, research and education. The Impact actively supports The Vita Fund in its activities, notably during its annual benefit dinner.

www.vitachildrensfoundation.com
Opération Enfant Soleil
Opération Enfant Soleil (OES) is a non-profit organization that raises funds to contribute to the development of high quality paediatric care and to carrying out meaningful social programs among Quebec children. The funds raised contribute to offer high-end care and to improve the physical, mental and social wellbeing of children. The Montreal Impact actively supports OES during various fundraising activities.

www.oes.qc.ca
Be Flexible And Grow / Canadian Arthritis Society
Each year, the Canadian Arthritis Society holds a camp for children with juvenile arthritis.

In 2005, the Impact invited kids from this camp to attend an official team practice during the season. They were able to get players' autographs and be photographed with them. They also had some fun with the team on the Impact's official playing field.

www.arthrite.ca