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Children’s Trust Denies 2nd Year Funding For Continued YouthFirst Century Program
December 13, 2023
The Escambia County Children’s Trust on Tuesday denied to renew funding for the Urban Development Center’s YouthFirst Century program.
Last year, Escambia Children’s Trust (ECT) awarded a contract to the Pensacola non-profit Urban Development Center for “YouthFirst Century” to serve 750 youth ages 11-18 over a three-year period at a total cost of $1.2 million. In reality, they only reached 30 children in their targeted ages of 11-18. They requested to lower their target age group to just 5-years old, but that was also denied by ECT.
UDC has requested a $189,256.70 reimbursement for their first year of operation, despite reaching just 56 children, with less than 30 of those in the target age range. That equals $6,308 per targeted child in the 11-18 age group.
UDC’s reimbursement request from ECT included about $60,000 for personnel, $6,212 in travel, $2,692 for advertising, $37,000 for program supplies, $1,201 for field trips, $59,000 in “sub-grants to partners”, and $21,000 for professional services for 56 children, 29 of which are not in the program’s target group.
In their application to ECT, UDC acknowledged that they did not have the cash on hand to operate under a cost reimbursement model. UDC approached the Century Town Council for help in early 2023. The town has provided the Century Business Center at 150 East Pond Street as meeting space, with upgrades such as lighting and an ice machine.
The Town of Century fronted $61,925 to The Urban Development Center to purchase items like computers and workbooks. The 500 workbooks at $52.75 per workbook were to be purchased from UDC for $26,375. UDC said they would reimburse the town after they received the ECT funding, but no specific deadline was established. At least $20,000 was recently repaid to the town, according to audio from a council meeting. However, a public records request provided no concrete evidence of the payment.
ECT board member Dr. Rex Northrup expressed concern that no ECT funding is currently going into a North Escambia specific program.
“At least consider some meaningful contributions to needs in northern Escambia County,” board member Dr. Rex Northrup said of any future applications.
Tuesday, the ECT did renew second-year funding for 16 Out-of School-Time grants totaling nearly $4.7 million:
- Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast $630,088
- Central Gulf Coast Freedom Schools $215,045
- Chain Reaction $192,975
- Children’s Home Society $249,906
- City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation $540,041
- CMB Visions Unlimited $396,817
- Covenant Care $204,163
- Dixon School of Arts and Sciences $295,000
- Epps Christian Center $221,450
- James B. Washington Education & Sports $295,000
- Omega Lamplighters $156,975
- Pensacola Children’s Chorus $203,390
- Pensacola Little Theatre $85,000
- Pensacola MESS Hall $59,924
- SALT Ministry (Sisters Anointed to Lead Together) $12,629
- YMCA of NW Florida $906,561
A contract with The Children’s Theater program was non-renewed.
Pictured top and inset: Dr. Jessica A. Griffen, CEO of The Urban Development Center, addresses the Century Town Council in early 2023. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Notes on the UDC budget above, per the application: JetFuel is a Century based technology entrepreneurial business operated by Calvin Cottrell. Tutor4You is a tutoring service with “Mr. Sanders”. Reality Check Counseling is Susan Dawson, a licensed mental health counselor. Favored Hearts is owned by Cordella Allen, a clinical nurse, that will provide CPR certifications.
Comments
9 Responses to “Children’s Trust Denies 2nd Year Funding For Continued YouthFirst Century Program”
This whole idea is to help children and help is needed through mental health, after school is great (already funded regularly), and mentorship programs. The YMCA is already funded along with a number of other places on the list so why create something new when you aren’t working with those actually in that community of people trying to help. I’ve seen and read everything internally and most services are not even going to help the kids directly yet to salaries. Where’s the survey of what is benefitting and changing these child’s communities or mental states?
JUST VOTE NO!
How about a breakdown of how the money is spent in Pensacola.
Because it certainly isn’t any different nor any more productive.
Isnt MetroRapid that failed idea that never made it off the ground? I though a bunch of that was already donated/subsidized? How on earth did $70k get wasted on that?
@ anne “Jet Fuel $36,000.00″ WHAT???? Are they flying in Private Jets?”
IT is for the plane they are going to fly the hire from west-palm beach, every month.
Century has alot of our money to waste
Jet Fuel is a children’s education program has nothing to do with jets or fuel. Before you make generalized biased statements, know what you are speaking of. Those commenting have never been to the program (it’s open daily) nor spoken to the parents of the children served.
“take the money and run” !
Taxpayer’s money WASTED! Put this back on the ballot for a vote! So many line items that are inflated. Because this has children attached, throw money and it will fix the problem! The ones benefitting are not the children!
A good first step in ending the corruption. They should be investigated; their politics and their demographics shouldn’t be a shield to them.
Would like to see “Personnel (Salary & Wages $127,700.00″ shown with names and positions and the associated salary costs.
“Jet Fuel $36,000.00″ WHAT???? Are they flying in Private Jets?
What a mess….Disband the whole lot and pave it over,