The MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation, a nonprofit and official USTA Florida community tennis association dedicated to empowering at-risk youth in the urban core of Jacksonville, Fla., has officially opened the doors to its brand new teen center, Club 904.
The ribbon was cut during a grand opening ceremony last Wednesday that featured Founder MaliVai Washington, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, Jacksonville city council members, current MWYF students and supporters.
https://www.facebook.com/LoveMWYF/posts/10158548472245953?__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARDQ1f3MfWlnoe_aX7YSp2PJnFkuY5tJCguX0kLhUVjnrzof1K4ksMxxxFcVk0ktRZy-ltoou30J4DyapNQWwM9K7-N7G_kW8gYUAvf-c5lbzTFBhX1hzDeuQmNLYL4GWYGWsga2ZxVnYMMGXJAr_CFVos0NxIyTAqTQrJvWNYvrIEktNkVEjBvjLXTu41LIvZxL4wBz77FsDEyhuxG4zctFOtep2Lh4IgxcYPTVZIUDAexIVrTgo4Kdlj5m68ngOM1JNT2TP3BQofr_E8JwQXm5mN5IxA4TJIR99IsfoNQe8XPJB2VfZbQ9PyycImm1BucrnV6-kaW3JHaXvo6QQBYjhxsLAtIcCDBCw-yfuHSRVisr8lJriGfF6FN7rs0TsPQhexON6ARXJDknamgWZliFFsS3V18jcg&__tn__=-R
“I know that because you’re here, you have one interest – and that interest is improving the lives of young people,” Washington said at the podium during the ceremony. “It’s that simple. Nothing more, nothing less – all of us here just want to improve the lives of young people.”
Including a $50,000 donation from the USTA Florida Section Foundation, the giving arm of USTA Florida, more than $5 million was raised over the past two years to construct the 13,000+ square-foot facility that will double the number of youth served through the foundation.
“The work you’re doing is important,” asserted Mayor Curry. “It’s important to the children, their families, the neighborhood and to the entire city of Jacksonville.”
Club 904 focuses on bringing critical resources to youth to ensure they have the tools necessary to become productive citizens. Offerings include age-appropriate services such as academic assistance, college preparation, job and leadership training and recreational activities. The new teen center features a high school lounge, study hall and patio, teaching kitchen, game room, multipurpose theater room, classrooms and administrative offices.
Club 904 rounds out the MWYF campus in the Durkeeville neighborhood of Jacksonville, which currently consists of a youth center, tennis complex and the City of Jacksonville’s Emmett Reed Center and Emmett Reed Park.
https://www.facebook.com/LoveMWYF/posts/10158551357710953?__tn__=-R
The MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation’s mission is to develop champions in classrooms, on tennis courts and throughout communities. To learn more, please visit www.malwashington.com.
