The 2017 Agreement between the City and Sunset Cultural Center, Inc. (SCC) provides that the City shall have the right to use the theater and lobby for up to twelve (12) full days each fiscal year without charge, as long as the spaces have not already been committed to rental customers by SCC.

Executive Summary

AIM  Youth Mental Health is a local non-profit that supports youth mental health in Monterey County, through research, access to care, and empowering youth. AIM Youth Mental Health submitted a request to Council to consider granting them 1 (one) free use day of the Sunset Center in connection with their community event, the "AIM Ideas Lab Youth Presentation and Awareness Design Challenge Reception" scheduled for April 9, 2025 (Attachment 2). This event is designed to empower youth to share their perspectives on the mental health challenges they face today.

The event will celebrate local youth involved in two programs:

• AIM Ideas Lab: The AIM Ideas Lab provides high school students with guidance and support in identifying their own mental health solutions. The reception at the Sunset Ceneter will provide students with the opportunity to present their research findsings to our community during an AIM Ideas Lab Youth Panel. 

• AIM Awareness Design Challenge: This art challenge enables middle and high school students to voice mental health challenges through creative expression, with the hope of raising awarenes, increasing understanding and empathy, and encouraging other youth to speak up and seek help. In collaboration with the Carmel Sunset Rotary Club, the artwork will be judged, framed, ad ready for display at the reception, where the winners in each category will be presented to the community. 

The Sunset Center offers an ideal venue to host this event showcasing AIM youth, their research, and inspiring art. Granting AIM Youth Mental Health one (1) Sunset Center Free Theater Day will result in significant savings in facility use fees for this organization, and help provide a memorable evening for local youth and families, reflecting months of collaboration to enhance youth mental health. 

Recommendation

Staff requests that Council consider adopting a Resolution (Attachment 1), which will grant one (1) of the City's Free Use Days of the Sunset Cultural Center Theatre and Lobby for AIM Youth Mental Health to host a community event.