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Failed Urban Development Century YouthFirst Program Finally Repays Unsecured Loan From Century
July 17, 2024
(Updated) The Urban Development Center (UDC) has finally paid off what started as an unsecured $61,925 loan for the YouthFirst Century program that suffered a complete funding cut by the Escambia County Children’s Trust (ECT).
Century Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. said Tuesday that UDC and CEO Dr. Jessica Griffen recently made a final $10,925 payment.
“She is done and complete with the grant, the loan upfront money that we as a town rendered to her,” Gomez said. “I would like to commend Dr. Griffen and the urban league for fulfilling their obligation.”
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.
The Town of Century fronted an unsecured $61,925 loan to UDC to purchase items like computers and workbooks. The loan was to be repaid by December 31, 2023, but the town council previously approved an extension to March 31, 2024.
Griffen then requested another extension to pay until May 31, 2024, “citing continual slow financial receivables for delay”. In June, the Century Town Council unanimously extended the payment due date to July 8 after a $11,000 payment.
Pictured inset: A copy of an $0,925 loan payment from The Urban Development Center. The account numbers were redacted by NorthEscambia.com. Pictured: The Urban Development Center’s Dr. Jessica Griffen introduces YouthFirst Century to a group at the Pilgrim Lodge Baptist Church in Century in February 2023. NorthEscambia.com file photo. click to enlarge .
Comments
3 Responses to “Failed Urban Development Century YouthFirst Program Finally Repays Unsecured Loan From Century”
Thanks, Dr. Griffen, for demonstrating exemplary character and fulfilling your word to repay the City of Century. You are to be commended for seeking to be a change maker, but also ensuring that you did not hide from your company’s commitment.
THANK You, for doing a Follow Up on whether or not the payment was actually made and if it was in US Funds and if it went into the account of the Town of Century.
What a complete MESS this and many (many many many) other things have been for many years with this town….
CRIMINAL