Frankie Isidore - Sun Youth

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Sports aren’t just a way for kids to have fun and stay healthy.

They can also lead them on a path to a better future, which Frankie Isidore knows from personal experience and hopes to share with the youngsters he coaches in Sun Youth’s basketball program.

Born in Haiti but raised in Canada, Frankie says basketball played an important role in his life while growing up, as it kept him off the streets and gave his life direction.

“I came from a milieu that wasn’t always very safe and basketball saved me, I was always either in the gym or on a basketball court.”

– Frankie Isidore

Frankie Isidore sees kids just like him in the Cartierville neighbourhood of Saint-Laurent, where he lives with his wife Fatima and their six children.

“It’s a very poor area. The kids only have basketball to play but otherwise they’re going to be on the street where who knows what can happen to them. Sometimes, those kids who have nothing, I refer their families to Sun Youth where they can play sports and not worry about paying.”

Sun Youth offers a range of competitive and recreational sports options for Montreal families, including basketball, football, flag football, and introduction to hockey and rugby programs, where all equipment and materials are supplied and paid for by Sun Youth. In addition, they have an art club and a popular summer day camp for which spots are still available.

The philosophy of these programs hasn’t changed since it was founded by Sid Stevens and the late Earl de la Perralle in 1954: no matter a child’s financial background or level of ability, they can play sports.

Frankie says that no matter what background his players come from, on the court they all share the same passion for the game. While he encourages that love of the sport, his goals as a coach go beyond teaching basketball skills.

“I want them to know themselves better, to develop talents that they didn’t even know they had and maybe learn to control their emotions to make better decisions.”

– Frankie Isidore

Teaching life skills alongside sports skills has long been a priority for Sun Youth’s coaches and mentors. Encouraging them to excel at school as well as on the field is one of their guiding principles.

Frankie’s passion for the sport is boundless. He coaches two teams in the winter and two in the summer, which means attending multiple games and practices each week. His wife and six children are usually by his side at these events, which means having to coordinate everyone’s schedule to get them from place to place on time.

That undertaking will become less complicated in 2026 when Sun Youth opens the doors to its new headquarters at 7501 St. Laurent Blvd near Jarry Park. The new building will be a game changer for the organization’s youth programs and it never would have been possible without the generosity of Montrealers.

Frankie is looking forward to the new building as it will give players a sense of pride and belonging in a safe and motivating environment where they can thrive.

He is thankful for Montrealers’ support of Sun Youth and encourages them to continue giving to a cause that helps so many in need.

Read Caroline’s story