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nisearticles) wrote2005-08-17 04:06 pm
nisearticles) wrote2005-08-17 04:06 pm
[Marlin Democrat] -- Vandals hit BTW center
Vandals hit BTW center
by Denise Schoppe
Staff writer
The Marlin Democrat
August 17, 2005
"This does not belong to the board, it belongs to the community. Damage it and you set yourself back," Lear Alford, Chairman of Publicity for the Booker T. Washington (BTW) Resource Center Board, said after discovering vandalism had occurred at the old BTW school two weeks ago.
"This building belongs to the community," Alford said. "We are just fixing it up for [everyone]. Those that did this, did this to their own property."
Members of the BTW Resource Center Board have been working to remodel and renovate the old school on Commerce Street to turn it into a resource center for the entire community. Work had been completed in one of the buildings, except for putting in the bathroom, and work was on-going in another.
Two weeks ago, vandals struck, setting the board behind in their progress to renovate the buildings.
"We had just finished all the electrical work which cost hundreds of dollars. Now, it all has to be redone," Shirley Masters, President of the Board, said. "They wasted the paint and it will have to be cleaned up."
The vandals entered the buildings by breaking windows. Inside, paint had been strewn onto the walls and poured onto the floor. In a bathroom, barefoot prints show on the tile floor. Desks and chairs were tossed about, and florescent light bulbs had been broken and left strewn on the floor. The empty box of an air rifle lay in the middle of a floor, and a target with dents from the pellets was tacked to a wall.
"It is just a few causing problems," Alford said. "Many want to see this center become a reality."
Built in 1951, Masters called the building a heritage.
"Think of all the people who came out of this school," Master said. "Doctors. Lawyers. Some went into professional football. We want this building's heritage, and the programs we run here. let the children know they can be somebody."
The ultimate goal for the buildings and six and a half acres of land they sit on is to become a resource center for everyone in the community, no matter their age, race or gender. The BTW board plans for the center to provide programs such as youth recreational activities, after-school tutoring, college preparation classes and financial literacy classes. They want to have a park for children to play and a track for people to come out and exercise.
The Resource Center dates back to 1970, when Lucille Hampton started "The Parent Child Center" located in the annex building of BTW High School. The program that was designed to help at-risk youth in the community remained active for 25 years until it ended due to federal funding cuts. Then in 2003, Hampton and a group of citizens purchased the BTW High School building from the Marlin Independent School District and have since offered many community programs.
The BTW Resource Center already hosts pee wee football, 'Lil Dribblers basketball and young men's basketball. The center also offers College of Life Skills classes.
"We want to get positive things going," Masters said. "Here we have qualified tutors helping students learn and complete their assignments. When you accomplish something yourself, it means more."
However, needs for building repairs recently forced the classes to move when the roof leaked, and the recent vandalism has set the board back in their efforts to renovate the facilities.
Renovations are being done in a four phase process. Phase one, restoring the metal portable building, was almost complete when the vandalism occurred.
"We need the community's help to get this project completed," Masters said. "We need to come together as a unit. Help can come through labor, financial donations, maintenance or even just volunteers as a neighborhood watch."
The board is asking for help finding out who did the vandalism.
"Please contact the police with any information you have regarding what happened. It can be done anonymously," Alford said. "They need to know that what they did is wrong."
The board is now forced to stay on phase one of the restoration project. Phase two will be to restore the gym. Phase three is to restore the brick annex building, and the final phase is to restore the main building. With each completed phase, new programs will be added to the center.
"Only a few are causing problems," Masters said. "We are seeking the community's help to get the project completed. We have children walking the streets. We have the resources here to offer them somewhere to go, but no one wants to help. If we all unite as one, we can get this done and have a place for the City of Marlin to be proud of."
The board is in the process of obtaining grants for the project. They have turned to Prairie View A&M and Health Services for help searching for money. Anyone wishing to donate money or time should contact Shirley Masters at 254-803-3058 or 254-803-2255.
Anyone with information regarding the vandalism at BTW Resource Center, should contact Marlin Police Department at 254-229-9255.
by Denise Schoppe
Staff writer
The Marlin Democrat
August 17, 2005
"This does not belong to the board, it belongs to the community. Damage it and you set yourself back," Lear Alford, Chairman of Publicity for the Booker T. Washington (BTW) Resource Center Board, said after discovering vandalism had occurred at the old BTW school two weeks ago.
"This building belongs to the community," Alford said. "We are just fixing it up for [everyone]. Those that did this, did this to their own property."
Members of the BTW Resource Center Board have been working to remodel and renovate the old school on Commerce Street to turn it into a resource center for the entire community. Work had been completed in one of the buildings, except for putting in the bathroom, and work was on-going in another.
Two weeks ago, vandals struck, setting the board behind in their progress to renovate the buildings.
"We had just finished all the electrical work which cost hundreds of dollars. Now, it all has to be redone," Shirley Masters, President of the Board, said. "They wasted the paint and it will have to be cleaned up."
The vandals entered the buildings by breaking windows. Inside, paint had been strewn onto the walls and poured onto the floor. In a bathroom, barefoot prints show on the tile floor. Desks and chairs were tossed about, and florescent light bulbs had been broken and left strewn on the floor. The empty box of an air rifle lay in the middle of a floor, and a target with dents from the pellets was tacked to a wall.
"It is just a few causing problems," Alford said. "Many want to see this center become a reality."
Built in 1951, Masters called the building a heritage.
"Think of all the people who came out of this school," Master said. "Doctors. Lawyers. Some went into professional football. We want this building's heritage, and the programs we run here. let the children know they can be somebody."
The ultimate goal for the buildings and six and a half acres of land they sit on is to become a resource center for everyone in the community, no matter their age, race or gender. The BTW board plans for the center to provide programs such as youth recreational activities, after-school tutoring, college preparation classes and financial literacy classes. They want to have a park for children to play and a track for people to come out and exercise.
The Resource Center dates back to 1970, when Lucille Hampton started "The Parent Child Center" located in the annex building of BTW High School. The program that was designed to help at-risk youth in the community remained active for 25 years until it ended due to federal funding cuts. Then in 2003, Hampton and a group of citizens purchased the BTW High School building from the Marlin Independent School District and have since offered many community programs.
The BTW Resource Center already hosts pee wee football, 'Lil Dribblers basketball and young men's basketball. The center also offers College of Life Skills classes.
"We want to get positive things going," Masters said. "Here we have qualified tutors helping students learn and complete their assignments. When you accomplish something yourself, it means more."
However, needs for building repairs recently forced the classes to move when the roof leaked, and the recent vandalism has set the board back in their efforts to renovate the facilities.
Renovations are being done in a four phase process. Phase one, restoring the metal portable building, was almost complete when the vandalism occurred.
"We need the community's help to get this project completed," Masters said. "We need to come together as a unit. Help can come through labor, financial donations, maintenance or even just volunteers as a neighborhood watch."
The board is asking for help finding out who did the vandalism.
"Please contact the police with any information you have regarding what happened. It can be done anonymously," Alford said. "They need to know that what they did is wrong."
The board is now forced to stay on phase one of the restoration project. Phase two will be to restore the gym. Phase three is to restore the brick annex building, and the final phase is to restore the main building. With each completed phase, new programs will be added to the center.
"Only a few are causing problems," Masters said. "We are seeking the community's help to get the project completed. We have children walking the streets. We have the resources here to offer them somewhere to go, but no one wants to help. If we all unite as one, we can get this done and have a place for the City of Marlin to be proud of."
The board is in the process of obtaining grants for the project. They have turned to Prairie View A&M and Health Services for help searching for money. Anyone wishing to donate money or time should contact Shirley Masters at 254-803-3058 or 254-803-2255.
Anyone with information regarding the vandalism at BTW Resource Center, should contact Marlin Police Department at 254-229-9255.