Dozens of Ottawa's most prominent citizens banded together Thursday to form the Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa Charitable Foundation to help the bureau help young people in need.

The money will go towards renovating the bureau's downtown drop-in centre on Besserer Street, which is 60 years old, as well as fund employment and other services.

More than 75 local celebrities signed up to be board members. Of that group, 50 community leaders are each asking 50 people to donate $50 to the foundation. So far, the effort has raised more than $102,000. The target is $750,000.

The initiative was launched as part of the bureau's 50th anniversary celebrations. It currently operates in 20 locations across Ottawa and serves between 2,500 and 3,000 youth and families monthly.