About Us

"In times where I don't feel comfortable to open up and be expressive, LOVE has always given me that opportunity to do so. I couldn't be more appreciative than that." - Samuel, 21, LOVE (Québec) Youth

Our Story

LOVE was founded in 1993 by Sheila (Twinkle) Rudberg. Following the death of her husband by a 14-year old boy, Twinkle came to see that the youth himself was a victim of violence. Inspired to end the cycle of violence in the lives of young people, Twinkle enlisted the support of passionate members of the Montreal community to spark LOVE's first flames.

What started as a small, grassroots, youth photojournalism project running out of the basement of Montreal's Dawson College soon blossomed into a well-established national program, warmly recognized by governments, schools, corporate and community organizations for the meaningful impact it was having on young people. LOVE currently runs programs across Canada in Quebec, British Columbia and Nova Scotia.

Photo: LOVE (Québec)’s Founder, Twinkle Rudberg (left), with Brenda Proulx, creator of LOVE’s first photojournalism program (right). Credit: George Liberman

Our Vision

To be a leader in building innovative and sustainable programs that promote the mental, emotional, and social health of youth.

Our Mission

Engage Youth. Build Bridges. Realize Potential.

Today's world is becoming increasingly difficult for young people to navigate. It is especially unforgiving for those who have suffered physical, mental or emotional challenges and various forms of discrimination.

LOVE supports youth to thrive through programs and healthy relationships that build emotional intelligence and help overcome the challenges they face. Our participants emerge from LOVE’s programs with greater resilience, heightened skills, and the confidence to be inspirational leaders.

Our Values

INNOVATION: We respond to the needs of our community through our unique, dynamic and adaptive approach.
GROWTH: We nurture the development of our youth and communities, and strive to increase our impact across Greater Montreal.
INCLUSIVENESS: We welcome and accept individuals of all backgrounds and build bridges between them.
RELIABILITY: We steward relationships and use evidence-based approaches to consistently uphold the quality of our work and the trust of our stakeholders.
TRANSPARENCY: We commit to clear, honest, and open communication, and are accountable to our youth, staff, donors and supporters.

Our Youth

LOVE (Québec)'s programs unite youth from diverse backgrounds and attempt to position themselves in areas with the greatest need. Our youth are all between the ages of 12 and 21 and have faced multiple social and systemic barriers. Many have suffered physical or emotional trauma, bullying, gang or substance-related violence, racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and other forms of discrimination.

Over 70% of LOVE (Québec)'s youth have experienced bullying, violence, or discrimination either in their homes or in the wider community. Almost 30% were referred to LOVE (Québec) by a friend; 20% referred by social workers.

Our Impact