On June 25, Mr. Sid Stevens will reach the venerable age of 80. We want to mark the anniversary of the Sun Youth co-founder Sid Stevens, the organization which is now more relevant than ever in these difficult times.
Sid Stevens was born in 1940 in the Plateau Mont-Royal neighbourhood. In May 1954, he and his friend Earl De La Perralle, aged 13 and 9 respectively, co-founded Sun Youth Organization by distributing a handwritten newspaper which enabled them to finance sports activities for disadvantaged young people in the neighbourhood.
Recognized for his great community involvement and his dedication to youth and disadvantaged people, he received important distinctions, including the Citation of Citizenship by the Ministry of State for Multiculturalism and Citizenship (1989), the Citation for Outstanding Citizen by the Montreal Citizenship Council (1992) and an honoris causa doctorate from McGill University (2002). In 2018, he was named Commander of the Ordre de Montreal for his commitment to young Montrealers.
When asked if the philosophy of Sun Youth has changed in two-thirds of a century, Sid Stevens replies: “The organization certainly has grown in size and diversified its programs, but nothing has really changed in our basic philosophy. We help Montrealers in need. This is what he intends to devote the time he has left at Sun Youth. As he contemplates retirement in the not-too-distant future, Sid Stevens can look back on over six decades of community service with pride, knowing he has achieved his childhood ambition of making a difference. Millions of Montrealer’s past and present are grateful to him for his dedication.
Feature image: Sun Youth co-Founder Sid Stevens with Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante
Other articles from mtltimes.ca and totimes.ca
Montreal Jazz Festival 2020 goes virtual
A new vocation for the old Royal Vic Hospital
