CFY partners with High Point Youth Empowerment Center to enhance youth athletic offerings

In a new collaborative partnership, CFY is teaming up with the High Point Youth Empowerment Center (YEC) with funding to enhance offerings for their local youth. The investment totaling $9,150 was approved in a late 2021 grant cycle to assist in the hiring of instructors for two new programs (tennis and yoga) and new equipment purchases to increase capacity and variety of activities.

Located less than a half a mile from the High Point Neighborhood Family Center, YEC opened doors in February of 2021 to expand HNFC’s services with an emphasis on the “teen” demographic. The center features a computer lab, multiple indoor functional spaces, outdoor recreation areas, and a pool. All programs and services offered are free to the community.

“In these technology-based times the focus that CFY has on creating opportunities for youth to participate in healthy physical activities is needed more than ever.  We are extremely grateful that CFY chose to contribute to our High Point Youth Empowerment Center’s sports programs. For our teens and for all kids, having fun while playing physically versus too often playing video games is good for both their physical and mental health,” Margo Adams-Reid, Executive Director of The Highpoint Neighborhood Family Center.

The grant supports the growth of YEC’s existing karate program, while supplementing instruction and equipment for development of 4 new activities including yoga, tennis, volleyball, and soccer. Due to CFY’s growing partnership with Dick’s Sporting Goods/Countryside Square, the total amount of equipment funded through the grant was valued at nearly $1,000 above the initial request.

“We are grateful to be able to support the great work Margo and her team are doing in the High Point community. The Youth Empowerment Center is conveniently located to be a positive outlet with ease of access to so many local families, so the opportunity to help add to their existing programs and create new options that would appeal to a wider range of teens made perfect sense,” Fred Miller, CFY Board Chair.

About CFY Pinellas

CFY’s mission is to elevate the youth of Pinellas County through access to athletics and other skill-building programs where children from all backgrounds can learn, play, and grow together. This is achieved through meaningful collaborations with a variety of youth focused organizations across the county, combining efforts and resources to maximize community impact. For more information, please visit our website at www.cfypinellas.org