Muncie at-risk youth center crowdfunding to finish construction
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A once-crumbling building in Muncie will become a community space focused on assisting and mentoring at-risk young men if a grant-matching crowdfunding campaign seeking $10,000 is successful.
The money raised will finish the final building stage of a five-year project turning an unkept building on the city’s east side, located at 306 E. Fifth St., into the community center.
Brothers 2 Brothers United leads the initiative to help troubled youth find community and a better path in life.
“I believe young men are actually craving connection and community,” said Melvin Kelly, B2B Founder and President, in a news release. “I see B2B being a place where their self-respect, self-love, cultural identity, work ethics and family values can be cultivated. I am encouraged that boys are already stopping by the center and asking me when they can come.”
The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority is supporting the initiative and will double its total to $20,000 if the organization meets its goal by Aug. 17 through the CreatINg Places program. The project had raised $50 from one donor as of Monday.
The organization said it would use the funds to finish up kitchen and bathroom construction, add flooring and paint, put up a sign and landscape. It also hopes to clear the next-door lot of debris and brush for future development and furnish the building with computer desks and comfortable furniture.
CreatINg Places provides up to $50,000 in grant matches to not-for-profits and local governments pursuing projects costing at least $10,000.
Since 2016, the IHCDA said projects through the program have raised over $8.2 million in public funds with $6.8 million matched by the agency.