Montreal black youth group launches 'Keep DESTA alive' campaign

Cineus Barkley Jr. says he owes his success as a 29-year-old business man to the eight years he's spent involved with the DESTABlack Youth Network.

Now,the community-based organizationconsidered a lifeline for many black youth in Montrealis fighting to keep its doors open.

DESTA serves marginalized youthages 18 to 25 and operates several programs, from helping dropouts graduate school tocounseling services tojob and housing resources.

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The organization, founded in2006, underwent several changes in the last year includingadding a new executive director and board members.

"It's made it very hard for us to bring in funding that we normally are able to bring in," Cineus Jr., who is a DESTA board memberand became involved with the group as a 21-year-old participant.

"We have great staff atDESTA,but you can't ask people to work for free," he added.

'It would be sad that other youth wouldn't get the chance'

Now faced with a$20,000 shortfall, the organization is hoping to raise that moneythrough three events withinthe next month.

The campaign kicks off Saturdayat 4 p.m. with a community BBQ, followed by a basketball tournament and ending with theannual DESTAFESTon June 21.

"When you are a product of an organization and the support it hasgiven you, you want to see it continue to support individuals like my brothers and sisters and other people in the community," Cineus Jr. told CBC Montreal's Daybreak.

Cineus Jr. said he benefited from the organization's entrepreneurship program.

"I was able to start a transport service where now I can employ my peers," he said

The owner of Boom J's Cuisine, aJamaican restaurant near Little Burgundy that will serve food at the BBQ, came through the same program, according toCineus Jr.

Looking back on his own experiences,CineusJr. said he knows how difficult it would be for youth to regain momentum ifDESTAwere to close its doors.

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"When you have youth that are still coming and doing these programs, it's hard to just stopand say 'OK well, we don't have the funding yet' especially when you're dealing with my peers that face a lot of disappointment in their lives," Cineus Jr. said.

"It would be sad that other youth wouldn't get the chance to also get that support."

For more information, visit the KEEP DESTAALIVE Facebookevent.