Tommy Kulczyk named Montreal's new Commissioner for Children

TommyKulczyk, a familiar face at Sun Youth, is leaving the organization after 34 years to continue his work with Montreal's youngest residents this time as the city's Commissioner for Children.

In an effort to addresspoverty, social inclusion and Quebec's notoriouslyhigh dropout rate, Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre launched a child policyon June 16.

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The city wantsits most disadvantaged children and teens to have access to lunch, sports, cultural and extracurricular activities.

Kulczyk was chosen this week to do just that, and he'll have a$5-millionannual budget to make it happen.

"People are tired of hearing promises," saidKulczyk, who's currently the assistantexecutivevice-president atSun Youth.

By September, there will be lunches. That's concrete.- TommyKulczyk, Montreal's new Commissioner for Children

"The Commissioner is the conductor,"Kulczyk said, "he's the one who's going to make sure that everyone plays their part."

ForKulczyk, that will mean working with other organizations like the Breakfast Club, as well as the one he's the devoted the last three decades to.

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Some of that work will include ensuring the success of Montreal's 50 most disadvantaged schools and making sure they have access to a social pediatrics clinic, which is acommunity-based and holistic approach to child health.

Kulczyk says one of the policy'snew goals may already be a reality when he takes officer September 5.

"By September, there will be lunches. That's concrete."