MERIDIAN, Miss. (Queen City Newsfeed) – A former cafeteria at Hope Village for Children has been transformed into a multi-purpose recreation center designed to give foster children a place to socialize, explore talents and build community.
The ABC Mississippi Recreation Center at Hope Village officially opened Wednesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local leaders, including Meridian Mayor Percy Bland, and hosted by members of the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation (EMBDC).
Terri Province, executive director of Hope Village for Children, said the project began about three years ago when the organization identified a need for a dedicated recreational space for the children who live on campus.
“About three years ago, this was a cafeteria, and we really needed a space for all of our children that live here to socialize and explore different talents and so forth,” Province said.
The renovation was made possible through the Mississippi chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), whose Young Professionals group adopted Hope Village as a charity project.
“They came in and everything was donated, from the roof, to the walls, to the doors, HVAC, ceiling, plumbing, electric — everything,” Province said. “We were so, so blessed.”
After the structure was completed, Province said the community stepped in again to help furnish and equip the facility.
“As the structure got done, then we needed to fill it inside,” she said. “We had local community members give us art supplies, video games. There are so many people that contributed, it would be hard to name everybody. We couldn’t have done it without the community, honestly.”
The new center includes a gaming area, art studio, exercise space and a fully equipped music sound studio, all designed to offer children a variety of creative and recreational outlets.
“We have a place where we can do line dancing,” Province said. “Glass Inc. donated all of the walls and the windows. That allows multiple kids to come and do different things.”
Province emphasized the importance of the facility for foster children, who often face limitations on social activities.
“Foster children don’t have the same luxury as our kids, in regards to, they can’t be dropped off at the movies, they can’t have spend-the-night parties, so they really need a place where they could socialize,” she said.
She added that the impact on the children will be immediate.
“Our kids are going to be over the moon,” Province said.
