The Grace Dart Foundation is proud to celebrate the success of the FASTTrack French program at LaSalle D&D 50+ Centre and the inspiring community response it has generated across Montreal (see media below).
Recognizing a growing need among older adults to communicate more confidently in French, LaSalle D&D 50+ Centre developed the FASTTrack French initiative and received funding support from the Grace Dart Foundation to bring the program to life. The inaugural session launched in 2025 and culminated in a joyful graduation ceremony on June 17, 2026, where the program’s first cohort proudly received their diplomas.
The graduation celebration featured heartfelt remarks from Diane Doonan, Vice-President of LaSalle D&D 50+, Alex Pitcher, Program Coordinator, and each of the graduates, who shared a few words in French and reflected on their learning journey. Jennifer Bradley, Managing Director of the Grace Dart Foundation, addressed the graduates with words of congratulations and encouragement, recognizing the determination, confidence, and commitment they have demonstrated since the program’s launch.
FASTTrack French is a practical, situation-based language program designed to help older adults gain the confidence and skills needed to communicate in French during everyday activities across Quebec. Through real-life scenarios, the program makes learning relevant, useful, and immediately applicable to participants’ daily lives.
The FASTTrack French Program for Seniors is offered free of charge at LaSalle D&D 50+ Centre.
To learn more about the program, click here or visit LaSalle D&D 50+ Centre on Facebook
To register, call 438-882-7771 or email alex.p@lasalledd50.ca.
Local Media Coverage
innovative language program are busting myths about anglophones.
Entrevue avec Joy Ibrahim, Centre LaSalle D&D 50+ (8 min)
LaSalle seniors take part in community centre French class
Interview with Joy Ibrahim, LaSalle D&D 50+ (8 mins)
Interview with Diane Doonan, LaSalle D&D 50+ (13 mins)