The Virtual Guardians Foundation supports projects that act directly where human challenges are most visible today: in digital spaces and online communities. It supports initiatives that promote the prevention of psychological distress, the reduction of social isolation, and the development of intervention practices adapted to contemporary realities, particularly in the worlds of video gaming, esports, and social platforms. The projects supported by the Foundation stand out for their strong roots in the field, their ability to mobilize communities, and their commitment to transforming digital environments into safer, more human, and more supportive spaces.

Here is an overview of a few examples of projects currently supported:

Digital Outreach Workers Program (DOW)
Led by the Virtual Guardians Foundation (VGF), the Digital Outreach Workers (DOW) program provides a human, professional, and reassuring presence within the digital spaces frequented by diverse communities. Qualified intervention workers provide listening, support, and online guidance, while also directing individuals to appropriate resources when needed. The program is based on supervised, ethical practices adapted to the realities of the digital world. Every evening, the Digital Street Workers are present to break isolation, prevent distress, and foster a healthier online environment.
Link: https://virtualguardians.ca/projects/dsw/

Collaborative Action Table for Connected Youth (CATCY)
A joint initiative of the Virtual Guardians Foundation (VGF), the Alternative and Community Network of Organizations (RACOR), the Youth and Mental Health Movement (YMHM), and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Montreal Branch, aimed at providing concrete solutions to the challenges young people face in digital spaces.
Link: https://virtualguardians.ca/projects/catcy/

Lan JDL
Lan JDL has been an iconic gathering of the Quebec gaming community since 2016. Born from the initiative of gamers themselves, the event has grown and gained recognition over the years, becoming a must-attend fixture of Quebec’s gaming scene. Today, the event also hosts the Stream-O-Thon.
Link: https://virtualguardians.ca/projects/lan-jdl/

NoReset
NoReset is a speedrunning association that aims to grow the local scene and support numerous charitable organizations by organizing speedrun marathons and other video game–related events.
Link: https://virtualguardians.ca/projects/noreset/

Suicide Prevention Guide for Gamers
The guide “Contribute to Suicide Prevention in Video Game Communities” is a free resource whose first version, written in 2017, strongly inspired the creation of the Virtual Guardians Foundation.
Link: https://virtualguardians.ca/projects/suicide-prevention-guide/

Landmark initiatives

These landmark initiatives reflect the key milestones in the journey of the Virtual Guardians Foundation. They highlight impactful projects that, each in their own way, have helped advance practices, reach often underserved communities, and explore new ways of intervening in digital environments. These past initiatives are not just achievements; they are milestones that have shaped our approach, strengthened our expertise, and laid the groundwork for the actions we carry out today.

Suicide Prevention Guide for Gamers
Following the announcement of the school closures imposed on March 13, 2020, the Virtual Guardians Foundation took the initiative to create a Discord server and invite young people to take part in recreational tournaments, spontaneous gaming sessions, training activities, conferences, and discussions on a wide range of topics related to video games and esports. Esports coaches, moderators, and even intervention workers were available on the server to supervise the event and enhance the participants’ experience.
Link: https://virtualguardians.ca/gamers-in-quarantine/

Quartier.Québec
Created in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic to effectively help break the social isolation of young people aged 14 to 25, the Quartier.Québec platform brought together a wide range of pilot projects aimed at helping various Quebec organizations become proactive in digital environments. Over the years, several thousand young people have taken part in the various activities.