Challenges Today

Opportunities Tomorrow

Square Feet: 3,000

Parking: 8 spaces

Training, Program, & Community Space: One small room in a basement

Square feet: 11,000

Parking: Ample & close proximity to bus transfer station

Training, Program, & Community Space: Three 30-station training classrooms, community  meeting space for up to 120, multiple confidential counseling rooms, historical exhibits, and much more. 

Undermining learning. The only program space is in the basement, with seven computer workstations tucked in amidst the break room, the central IT equipment closet, and a small meeting room. It is loud and hot, lacks windows, floods during major rainfalls, and needs to be closed due to sewage backups in the utility room next door.

High-quality learning environment. The new Center will include vastly expanded direct service areas, with three state of the art training classrooms, ranging from 15 to 40 computer workstations used for basic job skills classes, customized job training programs, youth career development programs, financial literacy classes, and more.

Scattered, unstable program sites. Project REACH, our Medical Administrative Training and Fatherhood Programs, and home ownership and financial literacy classes meet in makeshift, borrowed off-site spaces that are not well suited to our needs and may not always be available. Scheduling and inter-site travel steal precious staff time from our clients.

Secure, appropriate program space. Programs and services now provided off-site will have a permanent home in a first-class customized learning space. We will be able to optimize the use of precious staff time, focusing on direct services to clients rather than scheduling and travel.

Hampering new program development. The only current opportunities for growth in programs, services, and community impact are through still further use of off-site locations. Most critically, our current building cannot support expansion into our emerging growth area of minority business development nor realize its plans for becoming a top-notch Workforce solutions Center that offers a wide array of customized job training programs.

Space for program expansion. The new Center will have an industrial classroom to house new sector-specific workforce training programs such as low-voltage training, small engine repair, and construction services. The new Center will also provide space for entrepreneurs who are willing to create jobs and wealth for people of color by growing businesses in which the League may invest through its new social entrepreneurial role.

Confidential service space lacking. With just one private room, a 5’ x 5’ former closet, staff compete for confidential interview space for client intake assessments, credit counseling, non-custodial father case management, and volunteer interviews.

Expanded confidential meeting space. Additional spaces for private client and volunteer conversations are an important part of the new Center’s design, enabling the League to grow these vital services.

Hampering effective agency management and partnerships. While employing over 30 staff members, additional interns, work-study students, and AmeriCorps members, our building only provides 21 desks with phone lines and computer workspace. Our largest room (10-12 person capacity) is too small for all staff and department meetings as well as board and community partner meetings.

Space for efficient, expanded operations and partnerships. The new Center will include ample high-quality space: a combination of private and open-air offices for at least 35 staff members and an expandable conference room for staff, board, and community meetings and youth development functions. Vital business will occur on-site, in an environment that enables participants to focus on the business at hand.

Parking and safety problems. With space for only eight cars and only one point of entry and exit on a high-traffic street, our community partners, volunteers, and–most importantly–our clients are often reluctant to come to our building.

Vehicular problems solved. The new Center will have ample parking and much-improved traffic flow, making it more accessible and accommodating as a place to work and to participate in programs and services.

Itinerant community partners. Small but vital kindred organizations, such as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Coalition and MLK Youth Planning Council, are without reliable space from which to serve the community.

Stabilizing kindred community partners. The new Center’s ample space will enable the League to accommodate the demand from kindred community groups for a reliable, accessible, and suitable meeting location.