“Building a Brighter Future”, Sun Youth’s first-ever major fundraising campaign, launches today. Scheduled to open in the spring of 2025, this new carbon-neutral community hub will re-unite Sun Youth’s services under one roof and will be located at 7501 St. Laurent Blvd in Montreal.
Under the leadership of Lucy Riddell, Chairperson of the R. Howard Webster Foundation, and Claude Mongeau, former CEO of CN, 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 today that it has already raised $9.8 million, or 70% of its goal.
A call for the community’s generosity
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.
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. 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.
Committed spokespersons
The Sun Youth team is pleased to count on committed spokespersons who are touched by the organization’s mission and who want to get involved in the lives of Montrealers. Anthony Calvillo, Terry DiMonte, Meeker Guerrier, Tania Kontoyanni and Kim Richardson have generously agreed to lend their names and voices to this wonderful project that will benefit the community.
How can you support the project?
Community members can donate today on the website at buildingsunyouth.org or by contacting linda.bell@jas-sy.org.
The project in a few words:
Main features of the 38,000 square feet building:
- Carbon neutral project
- Wooden structure
- Twenty-five geothermal wells
- Solar panels
- Rooftop garden
- Gymnasium and locker rooms
- Multi-purpose rooms
- A bright grocery store-style food bank
- Spaces for the community
Services offered:
- Emergency food service
- Collective kitchen
- Urban Agriculture
- Sports and Recreation
- Tutoring, study hall
- Distribution of school supplies
- Disaster Relief
- Help for victims of crime
- Drug program
- Clothing assistance
Calendar :
Start of construction: winter 2023-2024
Expected opening: spring 2025
Total project cost: $31.5 million
All details are available at: buildingsunyouth.org
About Sun Youth (Jeunesse au Soleil)
Since 1954, we have been taking care of Montrealers by intervening with poor individuals and families. We provide a range of emergency services to ensure their basic needs and maintain their integrity. We actively contribute to crime prevention and promote the physical and intellectual development of young people through education, sport and recreation. We are currently in a major fundraising campaign for the construction of a new carbon-neutral building from which all our services will be offered.
