Study project – Jordan Bédard-Lessard

DIPLOMAS :

Master’s degree in Social Work (2018), University of Sherbrooke.

Master’s degree in Globalization and International Development (2014), University of Ottawa.

Bachelor’s degree in Applied Political Science (2011), University of Sherbrooke.

CURRENT STUDIES :

N.a.

SUBJECT OF STUDY PROJECT  :

Title of the essay: Professionalization of Voluntary action in Countering Material and Financial Mistreatment of Older Adults.

This is linked to the ABAM-MF project: Volunteering to Counter Financial and Material Mistreatment of Older Adults.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND AMOUNTS RECEIVED :

• OTSTCFQ scholarship, funded by The Personal (In progress): $ 750
• Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) (2017-2018): $ 17,500
• Scholarship from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) for the ABAM-MF project (2015-2018): $40 000
• Institutional Scholarship, School of Social Work at the University of Sherbrooke (2017): $ 3,000
• Dissemination of information scholarship, Canadian Association on Gerontology (2017): $ 480
• Desjardins Foundation Scholarship (2016-2017): $ 3 000

COMPLETION DATE :

Will begin the first year of his master’s degree in Social Work in the fall of 2016.

Obtained the position of coordinator of the ABAM-MF project in February, 2017.

Essay submission date: Winter 2018.

RESERCH PROBLEM :

Various Quebec non-profit organizations dedicated to countering material and financial mistreatment of older adults mobilize volunteers with a specific socio-professional profile in order to fulfill their mission. However, a scientific gap remains on the consequences of engaging such volunteers. The research project aims at responding to this analytic gap by documenting the phenomenon of the professionalization of volunteering to counter material and financial mistreatment of older adults.

GOAL OR RESEARCH QUESTION :

Research question: What are the challenges associated to the professionalization of volunteer action in the field of countering the financial and material mistreatment of older adults?

OBJECTIVES :

• Capture the socio-professional profiles that emerge from the characteristics of volunteers and employees of NPOs active in countering mistreatment;
• Understand how volunteers with professional and personal experiences take on specific roles in this area;
• Discuss the challenges of professionalization on the flexibility, freedom and empowerment of volunteers.

METHODOLOGY :

Theoretical Framework:

Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory

Central concepts:

Volunteering, material and financial mistreatment of older adults and professionalization of volunteering.

Data collection:

Secondary analysis of data collected within the ABAM-MF project with five organizations dedicated to countering mistreatment of older adults in Quebec. Collection and analysis of semi-structured interviews with volunteers, older adults, coordinators, social practitioners and managers of organizations (64 participants). Additional data derived from scientific literature and socio-demographic questionnaires. Scientific literature is mobilized to clarify analyzed themes.

Data analysis:

Exploratory project with inductive logic and codification by using the Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS) NVivo 10.

WORK PROGRESS :

Jordan has handed in his master’s thesis.

COMMUNICATIONS :

PUBLICATIONS :

Beaulieu, M., Bédard-Lessard, J., Maillé, I., Carbonneau, H., Éthier, S., Fortier, J., Morin, C., Sévigny, A., Salles, M. et Lorrain J. (2018). Maltraitance et isolement social des aînés : l’action des organismes communautaires en milieu rural. Vie et vieillissement, 15(2), 21-28.

Bédard-Lessard, J. (2018). La professionnalisation de l’action bénévole dans la lutte contre la maltraitance matérielle et financière envers les personnes aînées. Mémoire présenté en vue de l’obtention du grade de Maître en Service Social,  Sherbrooke : Université de Sherbrooke.

Bédard-Lessard, J. et Beaulieu, M. (2018). Vous pouvez réinvestir vos expériences professionnelles par du bénévolat! Encrâge, Édition 30e anniversaire.

Morin, C. et al. (2017). Le bénévolat : clé d’accès au droit et à la justice pour les personnes aînées vulnérables?, dans Service de la formation continue du Barreau (éd.), La protection des personnes vulnérables, (424), Cowansville : Éditions Yvon Blais.