Building a Brighter Future: campaign for a new home for Sun Youth

“Building a Brighter Future” is Sun Youth’s first ever major fundraising campaign – launched Wednesday – to help build a new home for the community organization. It’s scheduled to open in the spring of 2025.

“A new carbon neutral community hub will to re-unite Sun Youth’s services under one roof and will be located at 7501 St. Laurent Blvd. in Montreal,” said the organization in a press release.

The “Building a Brighter Future” campaign aims to raise $14 million from the community towards the project’s total $31.5 million goal.

“Since 2018, our services have been scattered across the city. This situation has confirmed the importance of this major project, which will provide us with a home for the next generations, ensure the sustainability of Sun Youth and hopefully serve as an environmental model for community organizations of the future,” explains Johanne Saltarelli, Executive Director of Sun Youth.

The organization announced Wednesday that it had already raised $9.8 million, or 70 per cent of its goal.

“Sun Youth is calling on the generosity of the public and the business community to support the campaign.”

The multi-purpose community center is intended to provide services for Montreal’s most vulnerable and a home for Sun Youth’s emergency programs, such as a food and clothing bank, assistance for victims of disasters and families in need, in addition to the organization’s recreation and community services, including day camps, mentorship and sports programs.

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“This project will reduce the organization’s environmental footprint and aligns with the goals of the City of Montreal’s 2020-2030 Climate Plan. It will act as a social, community and environmental model by promoting the values of mutual aid, collaboration and healthy community living.”

Sun Youth says that discussions have begun to explore how other community organizations can share the space.

“In addition, the building itself will be a teaching and learning tool, so that young and old can better understand the importance of the building’s innovative design elements, such as solar panels, geothermal systems and a rooftop garden.”

Sun Youth also announced their committed spokespeople for this who are touched by the organization’s mission and want to get involved in the lives of Montrealers: Anthony Calvillo, Terry DiMonte, Meeker Guerrier, Tania Kontoyanni and Kim Richardson. They will be lending their names and voices to the project.

“Well, where I grew up in California, there was a lot of people who helped me out. If it wasn’t for those type of people or programs, I wouldn’t be able to have the success that I had, my roots now are here in Montreal,” said Calvillo at the press conference on Wednesday. “And I met Earl many years ago we used to have our annual lunches and we used to talk about the impact that we could have as athletes here in the city. So for me to get involved was just natural. We need a location to help people, not just in sports, but people in the community to provide them the things that are necessary just for them to get by and survive.”

For more on how you can support the project: buildingsunyouth.org or by contacting linda.bell@jas-sy.org