Sudbury Youth Rocks receives last-minute donation to keep doors open

In March, Sudbury Youth Rocks was in danger of closing its doors for good.

The Sudbury, Ont., program had run out of funding and given up its lease on the Elm Street location it had occupied since 2008, pushing executive director Joel Mackey into "panic mode."

"Our funding usually runs out around March-April," said Mackey.

"We've done the GoFundMe, we've done IndieGoGo, we've tried all these things. You know, we're constantly applying for more money."

• Blind Pig Speakeasy Soirée takes Sudbury back to prohibition time
• Mental health issues increasing in Sudbury youth

So Mackey was thrilled when the Sudbury Community Foundation announced they would be giving Sudbury Youth Rocks a significant grant, enough to keep the organization afloat for another year.

The grant was also special for the Foundation — they will surpass the $1-million mark in grants given out since opening their doors 20 years ago.

The Foundation provides local charities with grants from an endowment fund, and executive director Carmen Simmons said Mackey's program for youth fits their mandate as the kind of charity they choose to help.

Simmons said they like to help charities that target specific client groups, especially ones that don't always get much funding.

Even as money is annually dispersed to the selected charities, the fund will continue to grow until it is much more than the initial gift.

"We give out the grants from the earnings on that money every year," said Simmons,  "so that makes it a fund that is sustainable for the whole community over time."

Now that the good news has been received, Mackey plans on relocating the program to the old Navy League Hall on Regent Street.