PROFILE / Jean-Marc Gervais: two hats, one single interest, that of youth | FAXINFO

March 6, 2026

For over twenty years, Jean-Marc GervaisHe is committed to the youth of Saint-Martin. Through his association Jeunesse Soualiga and his role within the Territorial Youth Council (CTJ), he supports generations of’adolescents, with a clear guideline: to give them the means to’act.

A group of friends, a vacation with no plans, and an idea that changes everything. This isn’t the synopsis of an upcoming film, but rather the life story of Jean-Marc Gervais. In 2004, Leyla, Lionel, Yoan, James, Wendy, John Lloyd, and Jean-Marc had just graduated from high school: “Since we didn’t necessarily have the option of going away during the holidays, I decided to organize activities for ourselves, outings to the beach, the cinema, or camping trips…” From this came “JMIX & Friends Corporation,” inspired by Jean-Marc’s nickname at the time. In 2008, the association was renamed “Jeunesse Soualiga.” Today, the original friends are still around, in one way or another, and Jean-Marc still leads this association, born from the desire to “do something” with his buddies..

An association by young people, for young people
In two decades, the association has created a tradition that has become essential for high school students on the French side: the graduation ball. They themselves hadn’t had one and envied their peers on the Dutch side. In 2005, they launched it. “We had 75 people at our first ball, including members; today, we average 200 or 250 participants.” Each year, the students choose a theme, and the young members of the association get involved in organizing the evening. “The association is them,” asserts Jean-Marc, who says with a laugh that he’s mainly there to make sure the rent is paid. His board of directors always includes at least one student, so that decisions remain grounded in reality.

Over the years, the association has shifted its focus towards more educational support, particularly through the production of short films on topics such as bullying, domestic violence, and road safety. The young people handle everything from scriptwriting to editing. “They’re much more engaged when they see people they know on screen, and the message gets across better.” In 2026, Jean-Marc would like to see them working on a series of videos about mental health and setting up computer literacy workshops, because “contrary to what one might think, some young people don’t know how to use their email properly.”

Soualiga Youth, Beyond Borders
Jean-Marc always organizes the outings. “I believe that a young person leaving Saint-Martin for their studies should be able to explain what the island is really like, and not just have a tourist tell them about their island.” Visits to sugar mills and Fort Louis with a guide, workshops in different neighborhoods, days at the beach, and, when funds allow, excursions to Tintamarre, Anguilla, or Saint-Barthélemy. “Often, a young person (…) won’t necessarily go to other neighborhoods if they don’t play sports,” he points out. Since 2013, the association has received a grant from the Collectivity, but only for some of its projects. To finance the outings, every last Saturday of the month, members sell homemade cakes in front of the mural. I love Marigot ».

Now comprised of around thirty active members, the association has also fostered a support network of former members in Guadeloupe, Martinique, and mainland France. A WhatsApp group maintains connections and facilitates mutual support. Jean-Marc recounts how, after an accident in mainland France, a former member wasn’t left alone in the hospital thanks to this solidarity. “When they meet a newcomer there, it’s as if they’ve always known each other, because we’re part of the same family.”

The CTJ: “a school of citizenship”
In parallel, Jean-Marc Gervais is the coordinator of the Saint-Martin Territorial Youth Council (CTJ). Two “completely different” activities that do not overshadow each other. The 30 young people of the CTJ, aged 14 to 25, represent all segments of youth and carry out concrete actions: the ” Dej First “Before exams, they offer a cereal bar, a piece of fruit, and water to all students; they organize toy drives at Christmas; and they collaborate with the Sint Maarten Youth Parliament and other Youth Councils in Saint-Barthélemy and Bry-sur-Marne, for example. ‘It’s a long-term effort to make everyone understand the importance of the Youth Council,’ explains the coordinator, who helps the Youth Council members get involved in serving the youth of Saint-Martin within the institutions. He describes each term since the creation of the first Youth Council in 2008 as a true ‘school of citizenship.'”

Behind these two roles, the common thread remains the same: helping young people find their place and believe in their abilities. “I always start from the principle that there isn’t a young person who can’t do anything; you just have to find what they enjoy.” -DR

Boxed text: The registration campaign to join the Soualiga Youth Association will begin online in April. For the new term of the CTJ (Youth Technical Committee), motivated young people have until March 12th to register, also online.