The Youth organization, the Sun would have to move out

Photo Axel Marchand-Lamothe
Eric Tobon, a volunteer for several years, gives food to Robert for his Christmas basket.

Axel Marchand-Lamothe

Friday, 22 December 2017 21:06

UPDATE
Friday, 22 December 2017 21:26

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After having flown to the rescue of hundreds of thousands of families, it is the turn of Youth to the Sun to ask for help to find a new roof.

The building of the Saint-Urbain street, which houses the agency for the past 36 years was buzzing with activity on Friday during the passage of the Log for the delivery of the Christmas baskets.

However, the former high school Baron Byng will be restored to its original vocation to be the result of a decision of the Commission scolaire de Montréal (CSDM), requiring now the organization to find a new roof by 18 to 36 months.

“All the history of the building fail me “, said Sid Stevens, co-founder of Sun Youth in 1954 at the age of only 13 years.

Photo courtesy

Sid Stevens

Co-founder Sun Youth

Himself a former graduate of the school in 1958, he was pleased that the building was erected in 1921 to serve new children. But the decision of the CSDM to terminate the lease on the body will force those responsible to face a challenge.

Roots

“We want to stay on the Plateau. These are our roots and it is easily accessible for our users, ” adds Mr. Stevens. We are confident that with the support of the authorities and the community, we will get there. “

“Younger, instead of being in the street, I used to come and play here. We must not forget where we come from, ” said Helio Galego, now director of the prevention of crime of Youth in the Sun.

The organization’s services are vast, ranging from food aid to sports teams through the assistance of the victims. The ideal site would therefore have to have a gym, a drop-off area for the trucks, offices and large rooms for the distribution of donations.

“We’re looking for something that will make sense for us for the next 50 years “, noted with optimism Ernie Rosa, director of property management, but who is aware of the difficulties to come.

Resilience

The volunteers and employees interviewed by The Journal showed the emotions shared between nostalgia and resilience in the face of the move.

Elizabeth Kraska, senior community relations to the position of district 26, said that the place adorned with murals and graffiti is a “historic monument” for the body. The one who has been involved for 29 years, hope that they will find it quickly.

“The atmosphere and the heat will regenerate thanks to the people who are here. It is the heart of the Sun Youth “, Eric Tobon, former local resident who has been involved for more than 25 years.