Here at Sun Youth

Nicolas Carpentier

October 2011

The collaboration between Sun Youth and the senior times goes back to the inception of the newspaper 25 years ago.

Sun Youth itself started as a (handwritten) newspaper in 1954.

Co-founder Sid Stevens, Sun Youth’s executive vice-president, spoke recently about the longtime relationship that exists between the organization and the senior times.

Sun Youth began collaborating with the newspaper by writing a monthly column, penned by Stevens himself.

“They were the first to offer Sun Youth free columns in their paper and, in doing so, give a voice to our organization. Since then, other newspapers have come on board, but the senior times were pioneers in setting the pace. We have always appreciated that and never forgotten that. Whenever we needed additional support, they were always there for us,” Stevens says.

“We have an aging population. In fact, one of every four Quebecers is a senior. A lot of people are reading the senior times.”

Stevens likes to call them “recycled teenagers.”

“They are very active and very much involved in the community. A lot of readers are also donors to Sun Youth or stated supporting Sun Youth was a result of reading our message in the senior times,” he says.

Stevens calls it a first-class newspaper, with its larger print and high-quality pictures.

“For older people like myself, it’s an easy read.”

In a world inundated with all sorts of electronic media, Stevens thinks there is still room for old-fashioned printed newspapers.

“Every morning when I wake up, I have to look at a newspaper. In the evening, I look at the paper again to see what I might have missed. Without it, I feel lost!” Stevens joins the rest of the Sun Youth staff and management to wish the senior times a long life. “I hope they continue for many years,” he says, “and I’d like to see the paper published twice a month!”

Editor’s note: The column was called Sid Stevens’ Notebook and he shared many helpful safety tips and did the community a great service. The editor remembers he called seniors “experienced Canadians” even before he called them “recycled teenagers.”