Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
INDIANAPOLIS - The Baker Youth Clubs is $500,000 closer to its goal of relocation after Lt. Governor Becky Skillman Monday awarded Warsaw a community development block grant to be dispersed to the youth center.
For the last year and a half, the Baker Youth Clubs has worked towards constructing a grant application to be eligible for funds through the Indiana Office of Rural Affairs. Monday's grant will help raise money to acquire land and construct a new facility on the old Endicott Church Furniture property on Main Street.
"Any time you get the chance to put on your suit and tie and rub shoulders with the lieutenant governor is a great day," said Tracy Furnivall, executive director of Baker Youth Clubs. "This is a wonderful result of hard work and support from the community. We're all very pleased."
Skillman distributed $14.7 million in grants to 35 Indiana organizations Monday, but Baker Youth Clubs was the only youth center to be awarded. The grant program is federally funded and is available to small cities, towns and counties to help fund projects that strengthen communities.
The youth club was approved to apply for the grant application during a Aug. 2 city council meeting, which then allowed the Warsaw government to cooperate with the organization for the grant application.
"We're more than happy to help the Baker Youth Clubs receive money for their relocation purposes," Mayor Ernie Wiggins, who attended Monday's event, said. "The organization has been a great asset for the community, and they'll make great use of the old Endicott property."
The grant money is estimated to be received by the youth club early 2006.
This will be combined with an additional $500,000 the club raised from local organizations and individuals in the community.
Furnivall said the club is still hoping to raise donations to cover the relocation construction costs, and that an additional $300,000 to $500,000 still is needed to fully pay for the organization's new facility.
