St. Francis Neighborhood Center (Courtesy Image/Logo)
Long Awaited Monumental Groundbreaking of New Construction of Community Center in Central West Baltimore
Congressman Mfume, Lt. Governor Boyd, Senator Hayes, Council President/Mayor-Elect Scott, State Representative/Council President-Elect Mosby, Councilman-Elect Torrence and Councilman Cohen, Housing Commissioner Kennedy, and Other Dignitaries to Participate in St. Francis Neighborhood Center Ceremony
Baltimore, MD (November 23, 2020) – On December 1, from 12-1, also international “GivingTuesday” – Federal, State, and local officials will virtually join together with the “Small but Mighty” St. Francis Neighborhood Center (SFNC) team and their honored guests to officially break ground on the Center and modern facilities that will triple the number of youth and residents they now serve. The Center will feature a live tour at construction during the ceremony with Center Program & Operations Director Torbin Green and Whiting-Turner Superintendent, Dan Schindler. https://www.
“We are very excited that we are finally breaking ground for the center. This is a huge accomplishment and we are opening a new chapter in our history” Kevin Apperson, community resident and SFNC Chairman of the Board said. “This is a phenomenal step in building the new St Francis Neighborhood Center. Despite the pandemic and operating in a challenging environment, we are on the threshold of creating a new and beautiful space for the community.”
The project is estimated to create opportunities for thousands of West Baltimore youth and adults. SFNC will add additional classrooms, an art studio, a kitchen/cafe, multipurpose space, a larger, innovative media lab and library. SFNC will increase enrollment by 100 percent for K-12 students and families living in Reservoir Hill and Penn North communities.
The funding will support SFNC’s strategic plan to increase programs and services to serve more than triple the current number of students and families. Thus, reducing the Center’s extensive wait list, the Center will serve more students in need. The new classrooms, with access to innovative technology and the modern facilities, will be more conducive to learning by equipping youth in West Baltimore with the technology skills needed to prosper in the digital economy.
“We are pleased to work with Governor Hogan, the Mayor’s team and our funders here today who support this initiative to connect more youth and families with the skills, confidence, and encouragement they need to succeed,” added Apperson.
“We continue to serve our community and push forward in spite of COVID-19 and other setbacks – we are creating a bright spot in this challenging time. This is one of the most important and transformational building projects in this neighborhood. Once the dust has settled, the corner of Linden Avenue and Whitelock Street will be transformed – as will workforce development, out-of-school programs and more real positive choices for neighborhood residents,” said Christi Green, SFNC Executive Director. The End of Generational Poverty Begins Here.