David Taber
EGLESTON SQ.—The YMCA will continue programming at the Urban Edge-owned Father Jack Roussin Community Center at 3134 Washington St. at least through December.
Earlier this summer, YMCA administrators announced plans to close it’s Egleston Square branch in early fall. That announcement met with concern from community leaders and neighborhood activists who say that the square lacks youth services.
According to an Urban Edge-issued press release, efforts are underway to secure long-term funding sources to sustain the YMCA branch.
“The agreement for the Y to remain through December followed a series of discussions between Urban Edge, the Y and a group calling itself Friends of the Egleston Square Y, comprised of neighborhood leaders and local political officials…The friends group plans to meet bi-weekly and recruit additional members to work with the Y and help develop high-quality programs and seek resources for the long term sustainable operation of the center,” the press release says.
If the YMCA does end up pulling out of Egleston, the friends group will dedicate itself to recruiting other youth-service providers into the neighborhood, the press release says.
The Friends of the Y group includes state Rep. Liz Malia, City Councilor Chuck Turner, neighborhood residents Alvin Shiggs, Ron Hafer and Marie Turley, Egleston Square Main Streets Director Betsy Cowan, Greater Egleston Community High School Principal Julie Coles, and Bill Minkle, director of the local multi-service non-profit ESAC.
Colleen Keller, JP Liaison from the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services, is also working with the group.