Transforming Citrus Bend: A Wrap-Around Community Center Proposal

Abstract

Grant Proposal White Paper Proposed Program Name: Wrap-Around Community Center [Name] Boys and Girls Club 321 Manatee Lane Manatee Cove, Fl 34243 [phone] Partnering Agencies and Contact Information Commander, P.C.S.O: Brent Borkey, [email] Director, Panther County Boys and Girls Club: Monica Larson, [email] Director, P.C. Women and Children’s Shelter: Rebecca Field, [email] Director, Panther County Drug Court: Daniel Totten, [email] [University] [City, State] DJJ: Marqui McPherson, [email] Statement of Needs The city of Citrus Bend is an area of concentrated poverty, crime, and unemployment. Citrus Bend needs financial support to run this program and help construct or rent a facility that will afford the youth and adults an opportunity to seek help and assistance. The unemployment rate in this town is at 34% with an average per capita income of $19,000 annually, making them the most impoverished town in Panther County. Because Citrus Bends location in the county is the farthest away from any secondary sources establishing a program and facility within Citrus Bend will allow for easier access to needed programs and assistance for needy families. The families in This is most obvious when it comes to education, as Citrus High School maintains an F school ranking and 45% graduation rate. The county has the responsible to look after all towns and cities within it. How the committee would like to address and treat this issue is by first investing in the youth and family units of Citrus Bend. Citrus Bend and surrounding communities need a program that gives juveniles a place to express themselves in a positive manner, so that juvenile crime rates decrease in the county. Citrus Bend does not have programs or facilities that provide a source of prevention or program to engage the youth in deterring them from crime. General description The committee acknowledges that Citrus Bend currently lacks any recreation centers or support. How we would like to remedy this is by creating a community center with the funds donated by the Sebastian Haff Foundation. We are seeking funding for a large community center with a recreational center that includes sports/skate park, after-school learning, community rehabilitation, vocational education and exploration, life skills, behavior/anger management, mentorship opportunities, child-care, and other facets that incorporate our collective organizations. One proposed feature of this community center is a skate park which will give the juveniles an outlet for physical activity. This community center will act as a prevention measure towards juvenile delinquency while also attending to other needs within the community. The program will be comprised of special staff that are trained in crime prevention of youth. Staffing will include Deputies of the Panther County Sheriff’s Office, counselors, mentors, coaches (from Citrus Bend to be hired or volunteer). Hiring from within the community will help the unemployment rate and give ownership to the community. The aim is to acquire or build a facility that will allow for multiple uses throughout the day that will support families and youth by giving them multiple options so that they can learn, grow, socialize, express themselves in a positive manner, and become positive members of their community. Additionally, vocational training will be made available for all age groups so that they learn the skills needed to compete for employment, counselors will be on hand help troubled youth work through the issues that are troubling them, and sports teams for the youth that give an outlet that can...