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Risdal Family Center for Great Futures

Teens Need Our Support

Young people are in need of a safe space to go after school. While some have access to care, the local need greatly outweighs the capacity.

As one of the only after-school providers that intentionally serves teens, we believe in the importance of a dedicated space, exclusive to middle and high school youth.

  • According to the Missouri DESE, 1,200 middle & high school-aged youth in Springfield are identified as unstably housed
  • Nearly 15% of local students seriously considered suicide in 2020, according to the Missouri Student Survey
  • Many teens suffered from poor mental health during the pandemic due to stressors such as job loss, hunger and even violence

We anticipate serving 1,000+ teen members, improving grades, attendance and social and emotional skills along the way.

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A safe, meaningful environment

The Risdal Family Center for Great Futures would serve as a community hub for all teen needs, offering targeted, life-changing programs in a variety of areas such as:

  • The Arts
  • Workforce Readiness
  • Education
  • Sports & Recreation
  • Health & Wellness
  • Character & Citizenship

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The Details

Adding a campus-like atmosphere to Grant Avenue Parkway

The Teen Center will be housed on Grant Avenue Parkway, an off-street pedestrian and bicycle pathway along Grant Avenue between Sunshine Street and College street— right in the heart of Springfield.

Opening Late 2024/Early 2025

  1. The Teen Center began planning in July 2021
  2. The first $1,000,000 towards our goal secured in October 2021
  3. The initial committee was formed in November 2021
  4. By April 2022, our location was secured and initial renderings were drawn up
  5. Our Capital Campaign kicked off in Fall 2022
  6. Construction is planned to begin in Late 2023


Our Partnerships Aiding the Center:

    • DHTC Development LLC - An affordable 41-unit housing complex will be located next to the Teen Center to provide resources, access and more
    • Foster Adopt Connect - Providing programming that helps with direct access to case management, foster care resources and emergency shelter
    • eFactory - Providing entrepreneurship resources, courses and opportunities, ensuring members of the Teen Center will have access to all the support necessary to become successful leaders
    • O'Reilly Hospitality Management - Providing jobs, training and learning opportunities for Teen Center members and families to aid our REACH: Workforce Readiness program,
    • Springfield Public Schools - Aiding us in bridging academic gaps, supporting Teen Center members academically and encouraging students to become life-long learners

What Will It Cost?

The Capital Campaign Goal is $12,000,000. Let's break that number down:

  • Hard Costs: $175 - $200 per square foot, or $8,750,000 - $10,000,000 total
  • Soft Costs: $450,000 - $600,000
  • Land Cost: $400,000
  • Operating Reserve: $2,000,000
  • In Total: $12,000,000

We have already secured $7,000,000 of our goal!

Help us to make the Risdal Center for Great Futures a reality by contributing today!

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Help Us Ensure Great Futures

Sponsors

We are thankful for our sponsors!