The planning for the Youth center began with the Southfield Community Foundation's Youth Advisory Committee (YAC). It grew to include the Foundation's Board of Directors, expanded to include representatives from the cities of Southfield and Lathrup Village, the Southfield Public Schools system, the Public Library, the Optimists Club, Providence Hospital and representatives from a number of local corporations such as Denso, Lear, Fifth Third Bank and Providence Hospital.

Our success has been collaborative. The Southfield Community Foundation provided the vision and the initiative, but our partners have brought funding, creativity, resources, energy and volunteers. What we are accomplishing could not be done by any one enterprise alone. The hardest part of the project was finding the right location. The SCF YAC had identified several potential sites, but neighborhood groups had objected. Then, with the assistance of Southfield's City Administrator, we found it. The lower level of the former Library (15,000 sq. ft.) was no longer being used by the City. The space was a big empty box just waiting to be put to good use. It is next to the Police Station – a security advantage – adjacent to the City's Parks & Recreation Department, across the campus from the new Library and within a short walk of the ice arena, civic swimming pool and athletic fields.

In 2007, the City and the Southfield Community Foundation, on behalf of the Youth Center, entered into a 20 year lease agreement. The fee for 20 years was set at $1.00. At the same time, the Southfield Public Schools agreed, in principal, to provide bus transportation from the district's middle schools to the Center, solving a key issue of how students were to access the facility. Several of Southfield's most prominent businesses quickly committed their assistance:

• Lear Corporation donated computers and networking expertise

• DENSO sponsored the theater

• Providence sponsored a physical activities room

• Leading architectural firm, Harley Ellis Devereaux, donated a planning charrette for middle school students

• Congressman Levin initiated a federal earmark grant

We were also grateful to receive assistance from a number of regional funders:

• The Non-profit Facilities Network provided educational and planning assistance

• The United Way for Southeastern Michigan made a major grant to the project

• The Skillman Foundation was an early supporter.

Volunteers, of course, are playing a key role. Kids initiated the campaign and we are particularly pleased that they have remained involved in every facet of the project including concept, design, policy, programming, administration, philanthropy, and marketing. Our project was much enhanced by their participation. We are particularly fortunate to have had Scott Griffin, a Trustee of the Southfield Community Foundation, agree to chair the Foundation's Task Force and later the newly formed Southfield Centers For Youth. Griffin is a developer and has dedicated both his personal and professional skills to this project for over three years, ensuring that this youth center would send a clear message to our kids: We care about you and your future. This project would not be possible without the dedication and leadership of Scott and over 120 talented volunteers.

Southfield's children have been dreaming for many years about having a place of their own. Led by kids and adults who care, the 'field Zone is the realization of these dreams. The project is an example of what the private and public sectors can accomplish if they work together. This project was beyond the City, beyond the Schools, and beyond the SCFoundation. But as a community . . . working together, the dream is being realized.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 09 February 2010 07:00