If you recall back in April it was reported in the local newspaper that:
"Carver Center is being considered as a possible home for a Magic Johnson Bridgescape learning center program, which is designed for urban high school students who have dropped out, or who are at risk of doing so, but who want to earn a high school diploma.The Bridgescape center program, if enacted in Peoria, would be the first in Illinois. The program was formed last year through a collaboration between Magic Johnson Enterprises, founded in 1987 by former Los Angeles Lakers great Earvin "Magic" Johnson, and EdisonLearning, a leading international educational service provider."
News that former Superintendent of PSD150, Ken Hinton is taking over Carver Center, renews hope that the Magic Johnson Bridgescape learning program could indeed find a home here in Peoria. It's certainly a plus that Mr. Hinton is also a former regional vice president for Edison Schools.
One familiar face in Peoria is making a re-emergence to civic duty.
The call to action came when the doors at one local community center shut last year.
Former district 150 Superintendent Ken Hinton has long been known for educating young minds in the city of Peoria. Now Hinton is taking on a new job as Interim Director at Carver Center. His challenge reopening the center which closed last September due when the money ran out.
For months Hinton and a core group of supporters have worked behind the scenes gathering information to put into expanded activities he hopes will serve diverse groups. Right now the focus is on trying to get the building repaired which could costs up to $2 million.
For months Hinton and a core group of supporters have worked behind the scenes gathering information to put into expanded activities he hopes will serve diverse groups. Right now the focus is on trying to get the building repaired which could costs up to $2 million.
Hinton realizes that turning George Washington Carver Center into a world class facility will take time but he's preparing a business model he says will support programs in his absence.
Carver Center hopes to get a sizable portion of tax increment financing money from the city of Peoria. Hinton says collaboration with other groups will be a big part of the agency's success. He's reached out to the United Way to restore funding the agency had lost and plans to seek more financial help through grants.
Hinton credits his family with a lesson he learned long time ago...serving others and he believes reopening these doors again will show residents what kind of valuable asset the center can become.