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Carmel Youth Center Provides a Haven for Kids B Y V A N J A T H O M P S O N A mong the myriad ways prominent and beloved local Merv Sutton continually gives back to the community is his deep devo- tion to the Carmel Youth Center (CYC). "The youth center's a big part of my life," says Sutton. "It kept me in the right direction when I went to Carmel High. I'd go there after school and play horseshoes and ping pong." When Sutton's son unexpectedly passed away in 2008, the longtime CYC board member asked that, in lieu of flowers, gifts be made in Jeffrey Raymond Sutton's name directly to the CYC. Sutton was overwhelmed by the response, which included a sizable gift from Clint Eastwood. With the larger than expected bal- ance, he decided to build a movie theater in the basement of the CYC. "It's such a wonderful asset for the youth cen- ter, where we have anywhere from 45 to 70 kids during the year," says CYC Executive Director "E" Griffin-Ortiz. "During the summer months, it's great to show movies, and sometimes our educational program will involve watching a video. The Carmel International Film Festival uses it for its shorts program, and several nonprofit organizations and the Carmel Police Depart- ment use it for programs and trainings." For more information on the Carmel Youth Center, visit www.carmelyouth.com. SHORTCUTS GIVING BACK Through funds donated to the CYC, in honor of the memory of his son Jeffrey, board member Merv Sutton built a movie theater in the center's basement. 84 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 7 Photo: Kelli Uldall