WINTER GARDEN, Fla. – The Boys and Girls Club of Central Florida and the City of Winter Garden broke ground Thursday morning for their new June Family Branch facility.
The new location will be at 459 Ninth Street, in the historic East Winter Garden. It’s an area close to City Commissioner Chloe Johnson.
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“This means a lot for me. This is my district. And my kids are a part of the Boys and Girls Club, so this is very exciting. Heartfelt, transforming lives right here in our communities and it shows unity between private and government. It shows that we’re all better together,” said Johnson.
The Boys and Girls Club of Central Florida will develop, improve, and operate the new planned facility. As part of the agreement, the city also agreed to contribute $1.5 million towards the construction of the project’s second phase.
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City leaders are beyond excited about this opportunity.
“I think it would mean so much to the city. Just looking at the benefits and looking at it as a whole, and the rewards, and what all the young people are gonna get out here in our community and in turn are going to be able to provide,” said Mayor John Rees.
“With over 88% of the local families here making less than $40,000, we are now going to be able to serve 220 children on a daily basis and we’re absolutely thrilled to be able to do that,” says Jamie Merrill, President and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Central Florida.
The programs offered by the facility will provide different services and activities for Winter Garden students in grades K-12, as well as provide an additional multi-use meeting space for the community.
The building will be close to 10,000 square feet and will have 39 parking spaces, ready to serve.
“It means that we can serve more kids and at the end of the day. Our mission is always to serve our youth and help them become the best versions of themselves so we can’t be more excited,” said Merrill.
Construction is set to begin by the end of the year.
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