The Tri-County Journal
& Chattahoochee Chronicle
PO Box 850, 71 Webb Lane
Buena Vista, GA 31803
229-649-6397
tjournal@alltel.net
Josh Gibson Youth & Family Resource Center
Community Calendars |
By RICHARD HARRIS
There was a celebratory feeling inside the refurbished old Buena Vista High/Elementary School this past Saturday, April 22, as local leaders and community members enjoyed a special dedication ceremony for the building, which is now known as the “Josh Gibson Youth & Family Resource Center.”
Kevin Brown, chairman of Marion County Family Connection, which is one of the agencies already occupying space in the renovated building, said the goal is to attract as many community-improvement related groups as possible to locate offices in the center to form a “one stop shop” that can help local residents with many different needs.
In addition to Family Connection, other agencies already in the center include: Tri-County Head Start (currently serving more than 100 children), South Georgia Technical College Adult Education (where adults can work toward a high school diploma equivalency), Marion County RSM (Right from the Start Medicaid), the Buena Vista Recreation Department and West Central Georgia
Click Here to view more photos from the dedication of the Josh Gibson Youth & Family Resource Center |
“If we have a single mom to move into the community, she can come to the center, drop her kid off at Head Start, come right down the hall to work on her GED, then apply for heat and energy assistance, then visit Family Connection to get contact information for other helpful programs,” said Brown.
The event began with members of City Council cutting a ribbon outside before the crowd settled into a nicely decorated auditorium for the start of the program. St. Mark Community Youth Mass Choir then gave the first of several spirited performances. Rev. Chris Hess, pastor of Buena Vista First Baptist Church, gave the opening prayer. He thanked the Lord for those whose labor had made the day possible and asked His blessing on the center and for it to help bring the community together.
The program’s mistress of ceremonies was Helena Meek, a local artist whose work includes portraits of the late Josh Gibson, the baseball legend who was born in Buena Vista and for whom the center is named.
Josh Gibson himself was also present (or at least as portrayed by Rev. Willie Jordan). Dressed in baseball attire and waving a bat, Rev. Jordan gave biographical information about the late home run champion and baseball legend (who is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame and has been called the “Black Babe Ruth”), while also speaking words he believes Gibson would have said if he could have actually been present.
“My center is a place where everybody is somebody,” said Rev. Jordan (as Gibson). “My center is a place for the whole community.”
Others speaking during the ceremony included Buena Vista Mayor Ralph Brown Jr., Marion County Commission Chairman George Neal Jr., Kenneth Cutts of Rep. Sanford Bishop’s Office, Mary Ann Murray, and City Councilman and Mayor Pro-Tem Anthony Murray.
Mayor Brown recognized a number of distinguished guests, commented on the “beautiful building” and said it is a great example of lofty goals that can be met when people “work together for a common cause.”
Commissioner Neal said it was an exciting day for the community. He looked around at the nicely restored building and said, “I don’t know what your expectations were, but I’m sure they have been met.” He added that the old building was one that could have continued to decay, but was now full of life.
Cutts commended the local residents who had a part in making the center a reality and voiced his optimism that it would be good for the youth, adding “children may be 40 percent of our population, but they’re 100 percent of our future.”
Mary Ann Murray recognized the planning committee that had helped organize the dedication ceremony, as well as several others for various acts of helpfulness, including Judy Williams of Buena Vista Floral & Gift, Helena Meek, Mike Christopher and Kevin Brown.
Councilman Murray thanked more people for their work, including Jackie Robinson who helped spruce up the outside of the building before the big day, and Kevin Brown, who he said did a lot of behind-the-scenes work. He also noted that a “phase two” of the project is being planned, which may include a pond and walking trail.
A large portrait of Josh Gibson was on display for the event and prints of the painting were also on sale, as well as T-Shirts with a “Josh Gibson Youth & Family Resource Center” design.
After the program, the crowd was treated to refreshments and a tour of the building.