FEATURED PROJECT
Empowering Tampa Bay's Youth Through The Transformative Impact of NMTC
HIGHLIGHTS
Total Project Cost: $18 million
55,000-square-foot Multi-Purpose Community Facility
35 Permanent Full-Time Jobs Created
Education and Social Services for Local Youth
The Skills Center
About The Skills Center
Empowering Youth Through Sports, Academics, and Mentorship
The Skills Center, Inc. is a sports-based youth development organization founded in 2007 with a mission to provide at-risk youths in Tampa Bay with the resources needed to thrive academically and socially. Led by President and CEO Celeste Roberts, the organization uses sports as a platform to instill core values of respect, responsibility, and leadership in young people.
THE CHALLENGE
East Tampa Bay's Youth Left Without Tools for Academic Achievement
In Tampa Bay, the challenge lies in the educational and socio-economic disparities faced by students attending Title I schools, characterized by a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students. These schools struggle to improve academic achievement, and students often lack access to extracurricular activities and mentorship.
The Skills Center recognized this urgent need and aimed to create a comprehensive solution. Their goal: equip students with the tools for academic success, healthy lives, and confident leadership. To achieve this, they envisioned a state-of-the-art community facility but required financial support to bring it to life.
THE SOLUTION
Transforming Tampa Bay with Innovative Youth Development Facility
BBIF invested $12 million in NMTC financing for the construction of the Skills Center, Inc’s 55,000-square-foot multi-purpose community facility, creating 21 full-time jobs. This facility goes beyond the typical community center, offering a holistic approach to youth development. The Skills Center's programs are designed to promote academic success, encourage physical activity, and instill the qualities of strong leadership. They provide a full suite of services that include academic tutoring, athletic programs, and mentorship opportunities. The impact has been profound, with a 97% on-time grade promotion rate, an 80% retention rate, and a remarkable 100% graduation rate for the youth they serve.
THE IMPACT
Expanding Horizons and Strengthening Communities
This project aligns perfectly with BBIF's mission of supporting youth and education in underserved communities. Over the years, BBIF's NMTC allocations have played a vital role in financing projects that create and retain jobs in Florida's underserved areas, and The Skills Center's initiative is no exception.
This collaboration between The Skills Center and BBIF represents a shining example of how strategic investments can drive positive change in underserved communities, providing hope, opportunity, and a brighter future for the youth of Tampa Bay.
Investing in the future of our youth is an investment in the future of our community. The work that The Skills Center is doing in Tampa Bay is something that we applaud at BBIF. It was a no-brainer to get behind an organization dedicated to providing youth with access to positive mentorship, guidance, and educational resources.
Duane Lewis
COO, BBIF
