Charles Houston Recreation Center Promotes Fundraiser For Teen Rec Room

From The CHRC: The Charles Houston Recreation Center (CHRC) reopened in 2008 with extensive renovations and a host of new amenities to serve a mixed economic community. Unfortunately, programing for teens has fallen behind. At the same time, development in the neighborhood has reduced green space by over 70% leaving little safe space for teens to hang out and socialize. Charles Houston Recreation Center has tried to meet the demand for a safe teen space for at risk youth through expanded hours and programming of a late-night gym program. This program has seen large and growing attendance. However, It became evident to the staff at CHRC, CHAC and local community leaders that more needed to be done. And through this, a vision for the new teen center was born.

The Charles Houston Advisory Council (CHAC), a group of concerned volunteers, has worked with CHRC staff and local teens to come up with a vision and plan for a new teen center. The result is a Teen Center blending 6 zones to meet the academic, creative and social needs of community teens. The City and CHRC have approved the use of an existing game room for renovation. The cost has been estimated at $70,000 which includes ongoing mentoring programs.

To raise funds CHAC has become a tax-exempt 501C3 nonprofit organization. This allows tax deductible community donations for facility investment. As of November 2016, we have raised $30,000 through fundraising and city grants. We need $40,000 more to initiate the project.

Working with local teens CHAC launched a new website dedicated to Charles Houston Rec Center www.CharlesHoustonRec.com. We have also launched a Go Fund Me site where local residents can donate via a secure managed site with a credit card. Clicking on the Green Go-Fund- Me box in www.CharlesHoustonRec.com quickly brings potential donors to the Teen Story Video and an easy way to make donations of $5, $25, $100 or more.

Individuals and businesses can also write a tax-deductible check to: Charles Houston Advisory Council, 910 Wythe Street, Alexandria VA 22314. A Donor Wall has been planned for $500+ donors. Business donating $5000 or more will also get their logo displayed.

CHAC is working with teens to present our plan to local businesses in an effort generate donations. “We all need to invest in our community to help lift teens and preteen to a successful future” states Paul Hamilton, President of CHAC. “Creating a new, revitalized teen center that gives local youths a dedicated place to be safe, have fun, learn and grow will reap long term benefits for our community and our teens”

Details of the plan and its artistic rendering can be seen on the website, CharlesHoustonRec.com. For more details contact Paul Hamilton at charleshoutonrec@gmail.com

Image Via Pixabay