George Washington Carver Center Renovation

About the Program

Category: Children and Youth (Best in Category)

Year: 2012

George Washington Carver Center Renovation Flagler County, FL Population: 76,410 In 2011, the George Washington Carver Gym in Bunnell, Florida was renovated and reopened, allowing for the expansion of youth and community programs and the future construction of a multi-use sports complex in an underserved area of the community. Originally part of an all-black high school, the Carver Gym remained a social center for the African-American community in Bunnell, but was never adequately maintained or funded from its construction in 1965 until 2011. Through extensive collaboration between Flagler County, the Flagler County School Board, the City of Bunnell, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, and the residents of South Bunnell, the Carver Gym (now the George Washington Carver Community Center) was completely renovated to upgrade meeting rooms, classrooms, and game rooms. New air conditioning units were installed, with insulation improvements and a key card security system scheduled for installation in the near future. School Board staff will run the Carver Center, with funding allocated by local governmental entities as well as the newly-formed Carver Foundation. Through this partnership, the Carver Center will be able to offer youth and adult education, GED classes, employment assistance programs, and a variety of other services of great value to the community. Students in the VOICE program have already begun publishing a youth magazine featuring a variety of content about local issues, popular trends, and other original content. The Carver Foundation has secured a $10,000 award from Bank of America and a $5,000 award from the Flagler Palm Coast Kiwanis club, tripling the annual fundraising commitment expected from the Foundation in its first year. In spring 2011, a virtual auction offering donated local goods and services raised $7,000 for the Carver Center, and a similar auction may be conducted in 2012. Donations from the Flagler County community were also very important in the renovation of the Carver Gym. All funds raised by the Carver Foundation will enable the development of improved or additional services and programs to be offered through the Center.