TAMPA - Starting Right, Now, a nonprofit that helps homeless teens, launched the construction of its Student Training Center at 1212 W Cass St. last week.
The project will help continue their efforts to end homelessness for youth within the community.
The 4,000 square foot training center will help bring together the organization's Hillsborough and Pinellas students for life-skill classes and tutoring sessions. The project includes the help of Suffolk Construction, Clement Foss Architects and Nicole Malone Designs, all of whom will provide services for free to help the center come to life.
"It's energizing for the entire company," said Josh Christensen, vice president of Southwest Operations for Suffolk Construction. "There are a lot of people contributing to this project and it's amazing to see."
At the groundbreaking, Starting Right, Now introduced one of their own success stories, Hillary Rogers, a graduate from Armwood High School and current senior at the University of South Florida. Rogers recounted her story before joining Starting Right, Now and talked about how much the program helped her grow into a success.
Rogers was the first to graduate high school in her family and now helps within Starting Right, Now, so she can continue to help people who are in similar situations.
"I'm grateful to all who are helping with this project," said Vicki Sokolik, founder and executive director of Starting Right, Now. "Without their support this wouldn't be happening. Looking at Hillary, you see that potential that so many could have and this center will allow us to keep helping."
Contact Katelyn Massarelli at kmassarelli@tampabay.com.