$50,000 donation from Sun Life Financial helps Young Musicians of the World roll out the Youth on Stage program

MONTREAL, Nov. 19, 2015 /CNW/ - A $50,000 donation from Sun Life Financial is helping Young Musicians of the World launch their Youth on Stage program, giving underprivileged students the opportunity to perform on stage, building confidence and self-esteem through music. Sun Life Financial made the announcement today, along with Grammy and Juno award-winning singer and songwriter Sarah McLachlan.

"This partnership with Sun Life Financial will give our students a unique opportunity for an on-stage experience, across our network of four schools in Quebec. This financial support helps to provide a musical platform for these youth to succeed. These students are our future and thanks to generous donors and friends of youth and the arts, like Sun Life Financial, music can change lives," said Pierre Girard, Executive Director of Young Musicians of the World.

"Sun Life Financial's award-winning Making the Arts More Accessible™ program is proud to be helping community programs like Youth on Stage. This program will be open to the 650 youth who already benefit from Young Musicians of the World throughout its schools across four regions of Quebec: Quebec City, Sherbrooke, Montreal in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve neighborhood, and Kitcisakik, in Abitibi-Temiscamingue. The opportunity for students to perform on stage helps them develop all their skills and motivate them to succeed," said Diane Lafontaine, Assistant Vice-President, Marketing and Communications, Sun Life Financial.

"We are very pleased that Sarah McLachlan is joining us to announce this new partnership with Young Musicians of the World. Ms. McLachlan is not only a talented artist, but a philanthropist who believes that music can change a person's life. The Sarah McLachlan School of Music in Vancouver, of which Sun Life Financial is also a partner, was founded on these beliefs, a shared vision with Young Musicians of the World. We can't thank her enough for being here," said Diane Lafontaine.

Sun Life Financial believes in strong community involvement and aligns monetary investments with its three pillars: access to Quebec arts and culture, prevention of diabetes and its related complications, and financial education.

About Young Musicians of the World
Young Musicians of the World helps young people in high-risk communities develop to their full potential with free music lessons, activities involving musical expression, and individual support. Each music school is located in a community facing multiple socioeconomic problems and a significant lack of cultural opportunities.

About Sun Life Financial
Celebrating 150 years in 2015, Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services organization providing a diverse range of protection and wealth products and services to individuals and corporate customers. Sun Life Financial and its partners have operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of September 30, 2015, the Sun Life Financial group of companies had total assets under management of $846 billion. For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com.

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

SOURCE Sun Life Financial Canada