We Can Master Technology (thanks Google!)

Wait- My Gifts Are Getting Smaller

In 8^th grade, I got a Walkman for Christmas. I carried it around (being careful not to move too vigorously lest the CD skip) and jammed out. This was incredible, I thought, I can listen to music anywhere. When I was in 10^th grade, I got my very first mp 3 player This was amazing, I thought, I no longer have to carry around a pack of CDs! I did notice a trend- as I got older my gifts became less numerous and they were a lot smaller in size. My parents were paying a lot more money for fewer products- but they were just so cool!

It is easy to have mixed feelings about the effects of technology because like anything else, there are pros and cons. It is indisputable however; that technology is the way of the future and that it can accomplish some pretty amazing things.

Our Families and Their Futures

Our youth and young adults have grown up in arguably the most innovative and technologically driven decades in our nation’s history. 70% of the jobs that will be available to our youth when they graduate high school do not even exist yet. These jobs will likely be in Computer Information and Technology (IT), since IT jobs are expected to grow 22% through 2020- the year our eighth graders graduate high school.

It is to our advantage that we make the effort to ensure that our youth are prepared for their future. They need exposure to technology in and outside of school.

It may be difficult to keep up with all of the advances and changes; but we as adults must learn with our kids. How else can we make sure that their experiences and time with computers, the internet, and other devices is constructive?

Don’t forget about grandma and grandpa- they need to be connected too. There is a technology generation gap; where our youth are eager adopters of technology but their grandparents are bewildered by their “obsession” with these gadgets.

But our grandparents may be feeling left behind. If they want to look something up, the internet is the place to go. If they want to speak to their grandchildren, it might be easier to text them. If they want to look for jobs, nearly all applications are online.

Fortunately, there is a growing movement toward helping our grandparents get connected. Training them to harness the powers of technology improves their social engagement, health and well-being, and opportunities for creativity, learning, and activism.

What We Can Accomplish

The South Franklin Community Center has partnered with Google to start its own technological initiative in southwest Provo. With a donation from Google, we now have the ability to provide the opportunity to use a computer and the internet. We have an open computer lab Monday-Thursday from 5:00 to 6:30.* Our youth and adults are already learning; they have set up email accounts, practiced their typing skills, and learned how to research information online.

As families grow together toward mastering technology they can accomplish incredible things.

Making a difference has gone digital. Online campaigns and donations are the way of our future. Millennials (our youngest generation) are already making an impact online- one young adult used cat memes to raise over $60k for animals with disabilities.

We can create positive impact in our community; especially with the power of the internet. We encourage you to start adventure today by finding volunteer opportunities or donating online. A good place to start is the South Franklin Community Center website!

We wish you a joyful giving season and skill in figuring out your new electronic devices. You can do it!

- (The computer lab will be closed from December 16th to January 5th). 

- Sources: Older Adults Technology Services. National Public Radio. ComputerWorld. A Platform for Good. 

Thank You American Express

Great News! A couple of weeks ago the South Franklin Community Center received a grant from the American Express Center for Community Development.

The American Express Center for Community Development (CCD), in its efforts to build strong communities, provides grant opportunities to local nonprofit organizations serving local neighborhoods. The South Franklin Community Center is a program run by our local non-profit United Way of Utah County. United Way applied for and received this generous grant from the CCD. 

For more than 40 years, United Way of Utah County has been involved in creating lasting change in our community. They partner with people and organizations from across the state to achieve their goals regarding their primary focus of building financially stable families, preparing children to succeed in school and beyond and creating a healthy community. Their work has impacted the lives of residents all over Utah County.

The South Franklin Community Center also focuses on these three areas of income, education, and health by: providing access to programs that promote individual growth and achievement; encouraging community participation and leadership; and offering a space where residents can become more invested and connected.

The programs are the backbone of these efforts, and the community center runs 15 regular programs in partnership with other organizations. Each program and partnership is carefully selected and developed to provide the best educational and learning experience possible at the center. (Check out our “Thank You to our Partners!” portion of our blog to see who we work with!)

A scene from UVU after-school tutoring program that operates at the
South Franklin Community Center Monday-Friday from 3:30-5. 

The South Franklin Community Center has been in operation since 2006. It began as a small group effort to address some pertinent problems facing the Franklin South neighborhood in southwest Provo. Several years later the center became a tangible place, when Horizon Management (owners of the Boulder’s apartment complex) donated a space in their complex for the community center’s use. This past September, a brand new building at 770 S 700 W became the new South Franklin Community Center (see here).

The community center has experienced many exciting steps forward this year. The new building became operational in early September and the programs and kids marveled at the new space they could call their own. Another successful season of soccer was completed just as the leaves began to fall. New programs have been added to the community center; including a Boys & Girls Club after-school program for teenagers. The community center opened a small computer lab for residents to come use the computers, learn, and use the internet. These are just a few examples of our progress.

A great photo from our Fall 2013 Soccer League! 

The grant from American Express is another exciting step forward that makes us want to dance with joy. We are very hopeful and excited for the future of the community center. The grant from American Express will allow us to continue our efforts and achieve our goals. Our main goals are to continue to stabilize and strengthen existing programs, and to reach out to new groups of people through the creation of new programs.

We will remember the generosity of American Express whenever we step into the new center; and they will be remembered as the partner that spurred us forward during a time of transition and growth. American Express exemplifies the motto of United Way and the mission of the community center. When we reach out a hand to one, we influence the condition of all. That is what it means to LIVE UNITED.

Volunteer Spotlight! Meet Dallin Morris.

 Dallin has come almost every Saturday of the past two soccer seasons to referee the games for the kids!

Dallin grew up in the Wild Wild West- otherwise known as Elko, Nevada. Elko is known for three things: (1) gold mining, (2) cattle ranching, and (3) the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. Dallin was fortunate to grow up with all three; he even won an award at the Poetry Gathering in elementary school.

As a child, Dallin loved to roam the ranch with his younger brother and sister, feeding, brushing, and riding horses. As if ranch life was not exciting enough, Dallin’s dad and grandpa were in the gold mining business. When he was 18, Dallin traveled with them to Brazil, where they flew tiny airplanes over tall trees and visited villages in the Amazon. During this trip Dallin received a call from his mom, informing him that he had been called to serve an LDS mission in Brazil the following year.

As one of our valued South Franklin soccer referees, Dallin has a heart for both service and sports. Dallin was involved with soccer, basketball, and track in high school. His parents supported all of his activities and encouraged him to be involved in his community. Dallin says it was his dad who “used to drag me out to volunteer,” but “once I grew up I realized how much fun it actually was.” That is why in college Dallin decided to commit his weekends to service.  “I had some free time on weekends and I was looking online for a place to volunteer,” he says. That is when he found South Franklin Community Center. He has now been volunteering here for almost 2 years! 

Dallin tearing it up on the soccer field!

Dallin looks forward to the fall because he gets to referee. “Most people my age sleep in on Saturday mornings,” he says, “But I’m up early and by the time I get home I am ready to do homework and relax.” Dallin says he enjoys volunteering with the kids at South Franklin Community Center because they influence him for good and make him laugh.  He believes the soccer league and sports in general are beneficial for kids because “they learn how to respect their coach while working together toward the same goal.” He continues, “The more you’re a team player and respect your coach or boss or whoever it may be, the better off you will be in the future.”

Dallin gives some guidance to the 5-8 year old players in his first year with us. 

This past Saturday, Dallin helped us close out another successful soccer season!

It is hard to find a better role model than Dallin, who studies Public Relations at BYU. Before BYU, Dallin served a 2-year LDS mission in Maceio, Brazil. Living in the third most violent city in the world meant Dallin witnessed events that most of us in the U.S. will hopefully never encounter. The unreliability of resources also made it difficult to make a missionary stipend last; one time Dallin went five days without running water and another time he ate nothing but bread rolls for a week. Although the challenge of learning a new language in a completely new culture was difficult, Dallin persevered and came away from his experience fluent in Portuguese. He also developed great relationships with people he met in Brazil. “They are incredibly nice and generous. They would split their last roll with you if you asked them to.”

Other things that Dallin enjoys are spending time with his cousins (he has 50 of them!), riding his bike everywhere, playing sports, and baking. Dallin says, “The best thing I have ever baked is homemade Twinkies. They were so complicated to make but so delicious. Even my sister complimented me on those.” His baking must be better than he lets on; because he shared that he has catered many bridal showers and other family events. His dream job utilizing his education in PR is to open his own personal consulting and finance firm, where he would help people who were struggling to get out of debt. Another dream job is to retire and just bake. Nothing goes better with a freshly baked muffin than a good book, and Dallin has a passion for reading. Thankfully, Dallin created a list of his favorite books for us!

Dallin says, “Pretty much everything you need to know about life is in this list of books.”

Feel free to start reading this list of books with us!

Getting to know Dallin has been a pleasure for all the staff, volunteers, and youth at the South Franklin Community Center. We hope Dallin achieves all of his dreams and look forward to hearing about all of his achievements.

Dallin’s Random Fantastic Book List: 

Stories: (favorite genre)
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
The Abhorsen trilogy by Garth Nix
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Self-help: (second favorite genre)

Leadership and Self-Deception by the Arbinger Institute
The Servant by James Hunter
The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl 
Anything on the blog:"Mr. Money Mustache"

Volunteer Spotlight: Sterling Hancock

Meet Sterling, a South Franklin Soccer League volunteer referee who moonlights as a BYU men’s soccer player.

Photo Credit: Brian Nicholson, Deseret News. From KSL.com.

BYU soccer’s strong tradition of service is what introduced Sterling to the community center. Last year the team held a free clinic at the Boulder’s Field where, Sterling explained, they teach kids soccer but also emphasize that school comes first. He says, “I like to share a story about some of my high school teammates who were super talented players, but who jeopardized their futures (in soccer) because of grades. Grades are becoming increasingly important in college sports. If you have two equally talented players up for a scholarship, the school is going to take the one with better grades.”

Another priority for Sterling is service. Sterling returned to volunteer because he believes in the importance of giving back.  He explains, “I have an urge to do things for other people… sometimes we get caught up in our own ambitions, but volunteering  keeps me grounded and I love doing it; it makes me feel good.”

But how does a full-time student and semi-pro soccer player have time for volunteering? Sterling says, “You have to put the time aside first and then you have no excuse.” Sterling’s penchant for giving is mirrored by his favorite soccer player, Thierry Henry who recently agreed to donate $5000 to the non-profit Grassroots Soccer for every goal he scores in the upcoming season. Apart from the fact that he played for Sterling’s favorite team, Arsenal FC, Henry is his favorite player because he “was not only the top goal scorer, he was also an entertainer who liked to do crazy tricks because he knew the fans loved it.”

BYU coach Chris Watkins describes Sterling style of play on the field. “Sterling is a fierce competitor,” he says. “His commitment to our training and his desire to be his best really separate him as a top defender in our league.” When asked what makes Sterling unique, Coach Watkins replied, “(He) really understands the game and exactly what it takes to be his best.”

Sterling’s sharpness and stellar performance extends beyond the field as well. When he was a junior in high school, Sterling suffered a back injury that put him on the bench for 11 long months. Rather than sit idle, he started taking pictures of his teammates. Sterling, who loves what he calls, “the adventure of discovery” says he “poured his energy into photography and learned a lot in a year.” Pretty soon he was taking professional photos for engagements and at weddings- something he continues today. When asked why he likes photography he responded, “I get to interact with a lot of different people that I wouldn't come across otherwise.” 

One of Sterling’s favorite photography project reflects the interpersonal interaction he enjoys so much. In high school, he replicated the style of the infamous photo, Migrant Mother of the American Dust Bowl. Sterling walked around the streets of Palo Alto to complete a portrait series about homelessness. He would strike up conversations with homeless individuals, get to know them, and then ask if he could take their picture. “Homeless people are often dehumanized,” Sterling explained. “The project helped me learn about people- everyone has a different story.”

As for the future, Sterling aims to play professional soccer. In April he will graduate with a degree in Exercise Science and is interested in becoming a Doctor of Chiropractic. We at the South Franklin Community Center look forward to following Sterling’s success. We are lucky to have a friend and volunteer in Sterling!

A Self-Portrait by Sterling Hancock. To see more of Sterling's work visit his website.

South Franklin Soccer League Photos Taken by Sterling:

To see more South Franklin Soccer League photos taken by Sterling check our our Facebook Page.

Xactware Cares About Community

United Way’s Day of Caring 2013 was phenomenal. 

Over 1400 volunteers from 27 companies and organizations completed numerous community service projects all over Utah County. The South Franklin Community Center was fortunate to have a group of extremely talented employees from Xactware volunteer to complete various projects for the center.

The 38 member Xactware team completed a monumental amount of work in 4 short hours. Thanks to the planning of project leader Larisa, the project was completed without a hitch. The projects that Xactware completed for the community center involved landscaping, space and storage, organization, and installation. The completion of the projects has given us more space, made the community center easier to use, and certainly made it look more beautiful!

Thank you to the Xactware photographer who generously let us use his pictures!

Some volunteers were kind enough to share thoughts from their Day of Caring experience:

Doug said, “What I liked most was the way this project brought people together. There are so many things dividing people and pulling them apart… I was proud to be a part of something positive which brought people together and helped us all stand on equal ground. This activity allowed us to focus on the one thing in our community which is most important and really matters…people.”

Lauren volunteered for her first Day of Caring because “I wanted to become more involved in my community and do something for the benefit of someone else.” When asked about her favorite part of the day she said, “Besides playing in the dirt, my favorite part was seeing so many people come together to help those in our community. It’s amazing what you can get done with a few helping hands.”

Rosie shared, “I have the privilege of participating in Day of Caring each year... (Xactware has) been heavily involved for years. When I first started with Xactware I thought it was so neat that they allowed their employees to create a legacy of service and caring for the local community. I look forward to this event each year and hope to participate in it for many more years to come.”

The United Way and South Franklin Community Center staff also look forward to this event every year. When the day finally arrived, my heart started pounding with excitement as I approached the community center; there were Xactware volunteers EVERYWHERE! Wheelbarrows were rolling, power saws were churning, and feet were moving.

Here are some of the projects Xactware completed:

Grow Boxes

In the front of the building a huge mound of premium soil was transported into newly installed grow boxes. The volunteers worked so smoothly! While a small team installed the grow boxes, another group shoveled from the mound into wheelbarrows and deposited it into the already finished boxes.

Rosie from Xactware was not deterred when the rain started to pour, “...my favorite moment was when we were about 80% done with the garden boxes and it started pouring rain.  Instead of running inside we all threw on our ponchos and kept at it.  Not only did we work as a team out in the rain, I think we worked even more quickly and efficiently than before the rain had started.  We had a great time, some good laughs, and were able to finish up all of the garden boxes outside.  It brought a great sense of accomplishment and pride that we were able to help the local community.” 

Left: the Ominous clouds don't deter the smiles of these hardworking ladies.
 Center: Two volunteers unload the grow boxes for installation.
Right: Adding the finishing touches to the grow boxes as volunteers admire their job well done.

Fence and Bike Rack Installation

A dedicated group installed poles for the chain link fence. Knee deep in dirt and mud, the team navigated an array of pipes and cords to complete their project.

Another group worked to put together and install two bike racks. They picked the perfect location for the bike racks and one of the volunteers, Brett, even called in a favor from a friend to bring the right power drill to finish the installation.

Left: Two volunteers carry one of the bike racks to be installed in their final resting place.
Right: Preparation for cement-pouring is complete, next come the poles for the fence!

Shelving Installed in Closets

Closets were measured and shelves were cut with a power saw for installation into our two closets. Others stood inside empty closets mounting supports for the shelves. When the shelves were installed the closets took on a whole new aura. The beautiful white shelves deserve their own theme music to accompany the superhero-like improvement in organization and space usage.

Left: Operation shelving commences with installing supports for the shelves.
Right: The shelves are cut to custom fit our closets!

Bookshelves Mounted and Books Transported and Organized

Thanks to yet another awesome group, the library was finally finished! The team used their amazing mathematical abilities to cut perfectly aligned square openings in the bookshelves to leave the outlets open for use. Furthermore, the bookshelves were mounted to the walls to prevent any bookshelves tipping over.

What’s more, ALL of the books in the library were sorted through and organized! What we at South Franklin Community Center could not envision doing ourselves for the sheer amount of work it would require, Xactware accomplished in four hours! The bookshelves are sure to contain only the best hand-picked books for our library users.

But wait, there’s more! Another group from Xactware used their personal truck and bicep power to help us transport the books from the old community center library to the new center. These books were also organized. Can you believe it?!

Left: Books, books, and more books. Two lovely volunteers helped sort all of the books in the library.
Right: A volunteer works on freeing up those outlets by measuring and cutting holes in the bookshelves.

Thank you again.

The day was an incredible and astounding day. Xactware’s generosity and the professional quality of their work makes them our South Franklin Superheroes. This is just one example of what was accomplished on Day of Caring. Can you imagine how much work was completed across Utah County?

We thank Xactware again and again for their contribution and for making the South Franklin Community Center a better place for the kids, teenagers, and adults that use our center.

• To see more pictures from Day of Caring at the community center use this link: http://on.fb.me/14fywcO
• Find out more about Xactware at http://www.xactware.com/ or follow them on Twitter at https://twitter.com/xactware.
• For pictures from other projects across Utah County visit the United Way of Utah County Facebook page at www.facebook.com/UnitedWay. 

Thank You Laura!

We would like to extend a special thank you to Laura, who was our fearless leader of this year's Summer Camp. We asked Laura to share a bit about her experience:

I participated in the summers of 2011, 2012, and 2013, being a volunteer and then an intern/director for the South Franklin Summer Camp through United Way. It has been both challenging and rewarding. We, of course, had fun every day in different ways, but summer camp is a lot more than that! 

I’ve loved seeing the kids grow up and develop strong ethics, morals, and a sense of purpose in their lives. This summer, one child’s mother told a tutor that her child had started enjoying reading to her instead of her reading to him. I witnessed other times where the kids’ eyes would light up as they saw learning come alive through the Bean Museum animal show. Others learned they could trust volunteers to talk about different problems they were facing in their lives and had help in gaining ideas to solve them. I saw others get excited to participate in the new community center’s opening and feel a part of and responsible for their community.  

These little moments made all the trying days worth it. I have learned a lot from the children in forgiveness, caring, friendship, and many other great qualities. All of the directors, volunteers, and tutors have influenced not only the children’s lives but mine as well! As we’ve worked, learned, and played together, we have learned much from each other! That’s what being in a community is all about, right?

Thank you Laura for your dedication and for the joy you brought to the South Franklin Community Center and its members.

The Campers' Potluck

2013 marked the eighth year of the South Franklin Summer Camp. It has endured over the years with the help of the campers, volunteers, and community partners.

This year, the last day of summer camp was the Campers’ Potluck.  The campers and counselors munched on items the campers chose and brought themselves: including two different types of homemade cupcakes.  Campers and volunteers relaxed on the floor with their friends and enjoyed their mini-feast. 

We discussed campers' favorite parts of summer camp.  One camper loved the field trips, “We went to the BYU art museum. That was my favorite.”  She told me she enjoyed the variety of art at the museum. Another camper enjoyed “Getting wet” when they had a water day in the hot summer sun.  She also mentioned that they “did a lot of reading” using books from the community center library.

 

The Mini Feast

The Awards Ceremony

No camp would be complete without an awards ceremony.  Camp leader Laura handed out an award to each camper. The children giggled and waited anxiously once their name was called; what would their award be? Each award was unique, ranging from “best team player” to “most likely to be a secret agent”. 

Next, the kids had their 15 minutes of fame (okay 3 minutes of fame) with a video from Channel 17- who wanted to share their footage of the kids who were involved in the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. When I asked one camper what he thought of the new building he said, “I think it was pretty good and I can’t wait to go there. Hopefully next summer”. 

Each volunteer and camper deserves a huge THANK YOU!  We hope you enjoyed your South Franklin experience and we will continue to improve to make each year better than the last.

A special thank you: http://southfranklin.blogspot.com/2013/08/thank-you-laura.html

Helping Hands

It was a beautiful day.  Not only for the shining sun and green grass, but for the festive atmosphere and excited energy that circulated through the community center.  Inside, bookshelves were wiped down and the carpets vacuumed.  Outside on the grass in front of the building the ribbon for the ceremony was being carefully twisted and mounted on wooden poles.  The time both sped and crawled to 11 am- the official time of the ceremony. 

The children of South Franklin Community Center (SFCC) Summer Camp walked from the original community center and sat in front of the new. One of the children yelled, “look it’s the mayor!”  The children’s excitement grew as the mayor came to greet them; and while the mayor talked to the children the Provo police cruised in- hands characteristically settled on their police belts.  Some of the Boulder’s residents trickled in, observing the scene and mingling with friends.  

Laura teaches the children a cool craft while they wait for the ceremony to start. 

The conductors of the ceremony represented those community organizations that made all of this possible.  Doug Carlson from Provo City Housing Authority, Lyman Adams from Horizon Management (of the Boulders Apartment Complex), Councilman Hal Miller and Mayor John Curtis representing Provo City, and Bill Hulterstrom of United Way of Utah County all made poignant remarks.  This center was completed because of their influential decision-making and sustained efforts.  Habitat for Humanity of Utah County was also instrumental by seeing to the actual construction of the building - we thank them whole-heartedly.

Bill Hulterstrom of United Way of Utah County points toward the location of the original community center.

Mr. Adams said something that resonated; he spoke eloquently of the community center’s journey.  The South Franklin Community Center programs have been operating for a number of years, he said, they have already achieved success. This new center will allow for a continuation and expansion of that success. 

The ceremony reached its crescendo when our SFCC kids made their way up to the grand purple and gold ribbon.  Taking their kid-sized scissors in hand, they began to snip snip snip.  The mayor helped by wielding a giant pair of scissors and with one flourish, the ribbon was cut. 

The doors were opened and we all filed in to check out the new building. The shiny metallic letters reading “South Franklin Community Center” we passed under as we entered contributed to the building’s crispy clean newness.  

The children were most excited about their new library, which houses six bookshelves, one sofa, and four bean bag chairs.  When we told them they could each pick out a book to take home they shrieked and stalked straight to the shelves to pick their prized book. 

A new Barbie book and a purple balloon would make me smile too!

As I walked through, I surveyed the smiling faces in every room.  I left the building and returned to the chairs set up in front of the podium.  I sat down and took a brochure in hand and read the first page:

We are here today because of the cooperation, dedication & generosity of multiple agencies & organizations as well as the hearts & hands of 1,016 individual volunteers who have graciously donated 3,533 service hours.

This is the truth.  A true community effort requires many hearts and many hands.  We have not only built a new community center, we have become closer as a community.  As a result of generosity and hard work, our South Franklin Community Center will continue to improve our programs and work with more residents. 

There were thousands of hands who have carried us forward, and if your hand was one of those who lifted us up, we cannot express enough gratitude for your concern, caring, and commitment. 

A sign made by the kids in the South Franklin Summer Camp.

For more pictures from the ribbon cutting ceremony, visit our facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/southfranklincc.

NOTE: The new community center will not be fully operational for a couple of weeks.  If you are going to an event or program please go to the original center.

Join our Ribbon Cutting Ceremony this Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at 11 a.m.!

The days are numbered.  On July 30, 2013 the new South Franklin Community Center building will be officially complete.  It has been a long but rewarding journey, one I know has brought many community members and partners together.  

Please join us, this upcoming Tuesday in front of the new center at 750 South 700 West Provo, UT.  We will be gathered together at 11 a.m. sharp, and the ribbon cutting ceremony will last approximately 20-30 minutes.  We would love to see you there!

Let's take a glance back at our progress since the last blog post: 

The early months of 2013 covered the building's wooden beams and foundations. 

As summer neared the building took on an almost-finished look...

...but inside was still bare!

Join us this Tuesday to see the new landscaping (not-pictured) and to catch a glimpse of the beautifully finished interior of the South Franklin Community Center.  

Movin' On Up!

Progress is being made at the construction site of the South Franklin Community Center! Everytime I drive by, I think of how great the new space will be for all our programs. Take a look at the progress we've made over the past few months:

Volunteers can sign-up to help at the construction site online. CLICK HERE! For information on volunteering at the South Frnklin construction site, contact LeAnn Hillam with Habitat for Humanity at leann@habitatuc.org!

A Creative Way to Promote Literacy

What comes to your mind when you hear the word “literacy”?  If you said “books”, you’re definitely not alone.  Books are definitely a huge part of improving literacy.  Getting people using them and reading is also key.  At the South Franklin Community Center we recently received a donation to combat illiteracy that took a more unconventional route.  A UVU Individual Action and Corporate Responsibility class received a literacy grant and chose the Community Center as its beneficiary.  Since the Community Center library has been stocked by the generous donations of individuals and groups over the past couple of years, the class decided to shift their focus from providing books to making reading fun.  With the grant they received, and help from store owners generously reducing the price of things they bought in an effort to support the cause, the class decided to furnish a “reading corner”.  Couches, a recliner, bean bags, area rugs, and motivational posters for the walls will all go towards creating a comfortable environment in the new building when it opens that makes reading enjoyable for the people who use the Community Center.  We greatly appreciate the gifts from that UVU class.

If you have any ideas about how you can help meet the needs of the South Franklin Community Center, please email us at southfranklin@unitedwayuc.org.