Stay tuned for more info!
The Inspiration Center at Howell Park is a multi-use facility dedicated to the North Baton Rouge community by the Baton Rouge Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Foundation (LECJF).
The facility will be operated by the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Louisiana once completed and will utilize technology, education, athletics, and mentorship to engage young people with positive outlets and a nurturing environment. The Center will also provide family services to households in the community it serves.
Youth Enrichment at the Inspiration Center
The Youth Enrichment Program at the Inspiration Center is an initiative aimed at providing safe and enriching services in a state-of-the-art facility that broke ground on construction on September 9, 2024. The building is on track to be completed by November 2025, with programming kicking off by January 2026. Programming will off a variety of activities and resources designed to promote education, health and wellness, and personal growth.
While the LECJ Foundation will own the facility, the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Louisiana will operate in the space and manage daily operations of the Youth Enrichment Program, including any activities conducted by partners or vendors.
The Youth Enrichment Program will provide funding for supportive services for youth ages 12-18 who live in the low- to moderate-income areas surrounding the Center and will operate after school, on weekends, and during summers. The program will be free to participants and will be funded through private donations and grants.
Our goals are to:
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provide a safe and supportive space for youth in North Baton Rouge
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promote education, health and wellness, and personal growth among youth and families
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foster leadership and civic engagement among youth
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build stronger and more vibrant communities in North Baton Rouge through youth involvement and empowerment
Activities and resources offered through the program will include:
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Academic support and tutoring services to help youth excel in school
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Health and wellness programming, including fitness classes and nutrition education
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Arts and cultural activities, such as music and dance classes, theater workshops, and art exhibits
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Leadership and life skills training, including workshops on financial literacy, communication skills, and goal-setting
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Mentoring and counseling services to support youth in their personal growth and development
The program will also provide opportunities for community service and civic engagement through partnerships with local organization and volunteer projects. Youth who participate in the program will be encouraged to take an active role in their community and to give back to others.
Program Addresses Unmet Needs
The Youth Enrichment Program offers a holistic approach to empowering young people in a low- to moderate-income community. While the primary objective is academic support, it directly contributes to addressing housing, infrastructure, and economic revitalization by fostering and nurturing the well-being of at-risk youth. This is not only a significant investment in a disinvested neighborhood but an investment in community resilience that will help youth avoid risky behaviors.
Economic revitalization is also a key outcome of the Youth Enrichment Program. By focusing on education, personal growth, and leadership development, the program equips youth with the skills and knowledge necessary for future economic opportunities. Academic support, life skills training, and mentoring services empower young people to break the cycle of poverty which, over time, leads to economic stability. Moreover, by promoting civic engagement and community service, the program instills a sense of social responsibility in youth, fostering community development and economic revitalization.
About the Neighborhood
BREC’s Howell Park is one of the oldest and busiest parks in East Baton Rouge Parish. The community in which it sits has some of the highest poverty rates in Louisiana, with 42.8% of the people living at or below the national poverty level (U.S. Economic Development Administration Census Poverty Status). It is considered a disinvested community and in need of the right kinds of investments to reinvigorate its health and well-being. The Inspiration Center aims to fill voids in the life of local youth, provide wrap-around services for both youth and families, and carry out the mission of the LECJ Foundation that is to identify and address root cause issues of violent crime.
Exciting news for North Baton Rouge!
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