Considering the COVID-19
pandemic and its impact on communities of color, the FDCA
realized the urgency of moving forward with the vision and
redirection of the services and programming offered at the
Community Center.
“We’re asking everybody
for a $100 investment at the Credit Union,” said Pettaway
who noted that an investment in the Community Center is also
an investment in the community itself.
The FDCA Foundation was
created by the center’s community of supporters to enhance
the services and innovative programming provided at the
Center and for the renovation of the center and surrounding
community. The Foundation has set a goal of winning the
financial support of 100,000 citizens and has established a
trust account at the Credit Union for donations from those
in the community.
Reggie Williams, executive
director of the FDCA, spoke of the vision created by the
partnership of the Center and Walk the Word. “We believe
that now is the time to run with that vision, we have to
change direction,” said Williams. “This partnership by the
community and for the purpose of this community … is to
renovate and enhance programs.
Some of the renovation has
already begun, noted Albert Earl, president of the FDCA
board of directors. The second floor, he said, has been
completed due to the contributions of members of the
community. “We are doing great things at the Frederick
Douglass. However, we have greater visions than just
beautifying the building.”
The long-term goal of the
fundraising effort, said Earl, is to create “opportunities
to hire more people and increase services to the community.”
It’s an effort that will
take time, said Pettaway.
“This is not a sprint,
it’s a journey. But with the help of everybody in the
community, this will be an easy task.”
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