Our Mission
We have been taking care of people for more than 70 years by providing individuals and families in need a range of emergency services that ensure their basic needs and maintain their integrity. We also contribute actively to crime prevention, and we promote physical, social, and intellectual development of the youth through education, sports, and recreation.
Aware of the challenges linked to poverty, and crisis situations, we provide emergency services such as food assistance, financial, and material assistance.
We also collaborate with municipal police forces and other partners to increase neighbourhood’s security through crime prevention activities.
We contribute to the physical, social and intellectual development of young people through a sports program preparing the young athletes to a competitive level while providing them help and guidance with their school curriculum. We also offer a recreation program, and a day camp.
Our basic objectives are to alleviate poverty and prevent exclusion.
Sun Youth is a registered charity and a non-profit organization. It derives most of its revenue from many generous private and corporate donors and relies on the faithful cooperation of community and humanitarian organizations, of municipalities and governmental instances as well as that of media partners.
1954 – 1967 the First Years
In order to channel their energy in a positive fashion and in view of the limited activities available to them, a group of youngsters including Earl De La Perralle and Sid Stevens, respectively 9 and 13 years old at the time, created in 1954 a handwritten newspaper called “The Clark Street Sun”. The newspaper is a reflection of the everyday life of these inner-city disadvantaged children from a largely immigrant-populated neighbourhood. Rather than being sold, the Clark Street Sun, which is only printed in two copies (the original and a carbon copy) is loaned to families in the area at 2 cents a copy. The profits allowed them to finance the purchase of sports equipment and the organization of sports and recreation activities.
The Clark Street Sun newspaper was first created in the kitchen of Sid Stevens’ parents. Shortly after, the youngsters began to search for a permanent place to serve as headquarters. A local shoemaker (Weiner Shoe Shop) agreed to lend them a section of his St. Cuthbert back store for free so they could work on the production of their weekly newspaper. Operation in the first year generated a record amount of $500! Over the years, the production resources were improved. The newspaper was now printed with photos, feature articles and even advertising for local businesses. Profits were still used for the purchase of sports equipment as well as for the rental of a gymnasium for sports and recreation activities. As of 1964, The Clark Street Sun was renamed “The Sun” and the youth group which it supported became known as “The Sun – Youth Organization”.
Sid Stevens + Harry Friedman
typing the Clark Steet Sun
First Sun Youth Office Known As The Clark Street Sun
Sarto Fournier Mayor of Montreal at Sun Youth Bike Test
The boys from the Clark Street Sun
1967 – 1981 Evolution Years
In 1967, the year of Montreal’s Universal Exposition, the youngsters moved their headquarters into a small building at the foot of Mount Royal (corner Park and Mont-Royal), thanks to the Mayor of Montreal at the time, Jean Drapeau. These larger premises allowed us to increase diversification of our activities. The attention was now focused on the problems youths attending our organization were facing. We offered food assistance sporadically, mainly during the Holiday period.
We also began on-site assistance to fire victims and a community crime prevention program, including exchanges with the community on topics such as neighborhood watch, abuse of drugs and alcohol, shoplifting and dangers surrounding the abduction of children. In collaboration with the police we also organized bicycle safety workshops. During this time, “The Sun”, published weekly, becomes monthly paper as our young founders wish to devote their resources and energy on helping the needy. The newspaper ceased publication in 1978 but will have left its mark in the Montreal community landscape.
Earl and friends playing hockey
Earl as captain of the basketball team
The “White House” at the foot of the mountain
Sun Youth’s first girls basketball team
1981 – 2018 A Full-Fledged Community Organization
The year 1981 brought many changes. First, our organization moved to the former Baron-Byng High-School on St. Urbain Street. It was also the year we became the first Food Bank in Montreal, the second in Canada after the Edmonton’s food bank which was created the previous year. We adopted the French legal name of Jeunesse au Soleil.
Over the years that followed, we implemented various programs to help people in need and worked since the mid-1990s to assist victims of major disasters affecting populations here and abroad. Some thirty different programs were offered through three divisions: Emergency Services, Crime Prevention and Sports & Recreation. During this time we also operated our own summer camp located in Rivière-Rouge (L’Annonciation sector) in the Laurentians.
Some of our most iconic programs were started in the 1980’s and 1990’s, and are still active to this day; our bike patrol, our new bike giveaway, our rewards program, as well as our day camp. A generation of Montrealers have grown up in the Baron Byng Building, through Sun Youth’s many programs.
Former Baron-Byng High-School
First food Bank
Music Club at Baron Byng
Bike Giveaway
2018-2026 TRansition YEars
Earl De La Perralle
On June 19, 2018, our co-founder Earl De La Perralle passed away.
Earl dedicated his life to helping people in need and was a father figure to thousands of children who passed through Sun Youth. He was a silent leader who served as Executive Director and created many of Sun Youth’s most renowned programs: the sports teams, food bank, fire assistance program, and holiday basket distribution. Although he invested countless hours and energy in various programs, Earl’s true love was the sports teams, particularly football.
The depth of his commitment to the children was unparalleled. He was an incredible coach and mentor. He worked primarily with youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds, using sports as a vehicle to improve their lives.
Following the passing of Earl De La Perralle, co-founder of Sun Youth, Johanne Saltarelli was called upon to assume the role of Executive Director during an especially demanding period. At this pivotal moment, the organization was facing significant uncertainty: a temporary relocation of its facilities, a major project to acquire a new building in order to ensure its long-term sustainability, as well as growing pressure on the services provided to the community.
These structural challenges were compounded by the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this context of heightened social urgency, Johanne demonstrated leadership firmly focused on action. She brought teams together, strengthened partnerships, and ensured the continuity of essential services, while safeguarding the well-being of employees, volunteers, and the people receiving assistance. Her ability to combine strategic vision with a deeply human approach enabled Sun Youth to navigate this critical period with resilience and determination.
Johanne Saltarelli
Sid Stevens
Sid Stevens passed away on August 17, 2025, surrounded by loved ones, leaving behind a rich legacy of generosity, solidarity, and community engagement.
A proud Montrealer who believed in an inclusive and dynamic city, he was elected to city council in 1978 and distinguished himself through his pragmatic and humane approach to community issues.
An innovator and visionary, Sid helped create Quebec’s first food bank, launched essential services such as home delivery for people with reduced mobility, and led emergency relief efforts during major disasters.
Sid Stevens looked back on over seven decades of community service with pride, knowing he realized his childhood ambition of “making a difference”.
2026 opening of our new building
In 2026, Sun Youth proudly opened the doors to its new home, a milestone years in the making and a powerful symbol of hope for the future of our community.
This achievement was made possible through the determination and leadership of Johanne Saltarelli, who guided the organization through one of the most important transitions in its history. Supported by a committed Board of Directors, first led by Bob Mironowicz, Nathan Weinstein, and later by Renzo Fraraccio, as well as the Sun Youth Foundation, first led by Dimitrios Manolopoulos and then by Peter Thompson, Sun Youth was able to transform an ambitious vision into reality.
The project also marked the organization’s first major capital campaign, co chaired by Claude Mongeau and Lucy Riddell. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of donors, partners, foundations, corporations, and community supporters, including the transformational support of the Mirella & Lino Saputo Foundation, the campaign provided the resources needed to create a space designed to serve generations to come.
This new chapter reflects the resilience, generosity, and collective spirit that have always defined Sun Youth, and its Founders.
As this new chapter began, it also marked an important leadership transition for the organization. After 50 years of dedicated service, Johanne Saltarelli retired, leaving behind a lasting legacy of compassion, perseverance, and growth. Building on the strong foundation she helped create, Marina Boulos-Winton joined Sun Youth as Executive Director, bringing new energy and vision to the organization while carrying forward its longstanding commitment to supporting the community with dignity and care.
