Why West Island Community Shares is our 2016 Sing-In charity

The 37th annual CBC Montreal Christmas Sing-In charity drive is now underway,raising money for West Island Community Shares, acharity that supports 40 community organizations.

Last year's Sing-In raised more than$50,000for the NDG Food Depot.

• Donate now to West Island Community Shares
• All you need to know about this year's Sing-In and charity drive

Why did CBC Montreal choose the West Island Community Shares as their charity this year? Here's a quick look at the work they do and the people they help.

It supports the whole community

West Island Community Shares isan umbrella organization which supports 40 other charities in the West Island including youth and family services, three food banks, health and mental health services, volunteer organizations and more.

60,000 West Islanders turn to community groups

Despite its image as a collection of affluent suburbs, the West Island has pockets of poverty in some areas low-income residents account for 30 per cent of the population.

• West Island's food banks gearing up for Christmas

West Island Community Shares directly benefits 60,000 people, 36,000 of which are children and teens.

'Pockets of poverty'

According to the charity, there are 13 "pockets of poverty" in the West Island. Specifically, the communities north of Highway 40 as well as large portions of Pierrefonds, Roxboro andSainte-Genevive.

"Whenever I get the chance, I like to dispel this notion that the West Island is only a wealthy community. It certainly is a gorgeous community," saysLeanneBayer, executive director of West Island Community Shares.

"But there are areas in the West Island that are definitely lower income and in the northern side of the West Island,Pierrefonds,Dollard-des-Ormeaux, we have communities that are really struggling."

Beyond food insecurity

Although 1,200 families get food baskets each month from food banks the West Island Community Shares supports, its work extends in many less obvious directions.

Some of its supported charities help teens who are diagnosed with cancer, people with physical or mental challenges, or families with children who are autistic children and can't find help.

More children affected than adults

One in five West Islanders turns to a community group for help and 36,000 more than half of them are young people.

• Donate now to West Island Community Shares

On Dec. 11, CBC Montreal's Christmas Sing-In will take place at the Church of St. Andrew & St. Paul on Sherbrooke Street and the neighbouringBourgie Hall on a HDsimulcast.