April 4, 2009
Mayor’s Proposed Budget Cut Threatens Programs of Neighborhood Resource Center
5 Comments »The proposed budget cuts funding by 50% to two vital community centers that serve the East End: the Neighborhood Resource Center (NRC) of Greater Fulton Hill and the East District Family Resource Center of Church Hill. The Neighborhood Resource Center is a grassroots educational and cultural center serving low-wealth families in the Greater Fulton community. The majority of other non-profits in the budget, however, will see cuts averaging only 8%.
For the NRC, this poses a $15,000 shortfall to its Montessori Preschool program. The Preschool provides a high quality experience for Fulton area children that parents can afford due to a sliding scale fees structure funded in part by the City.
In addition to a typical curriculum, the children learn valuable social skills and empathy for one another. NRC Montessori Preschool students graduate with language, reasoning, social, and motor skills needed to succeed. In September, the NRC Montessori Preschool sent its first graduate to kindergarten at Chimborazo Elementary School. The child scored a 96 on her PALS Reading Test. The next highest grade in the class was a 68.
Since 2005, nearly 3,000 youth and adults have used NRC resources. In addition to the preschool, the NRC offers art and academic-based after-school programs, adult education and job support services, and will soon offer nutrition, job training, and cooking classes in its whole foods kitchen/cafe. A library, Internet access, a recording studio, organic garden, and commercial kitchen support these programs.
The Neighborhood Resource Center is making a difference:
This same article is posted on the Church Hill People’s News. Currently they have 17 comments posted. I encourage Fulton community members to check them out and consider adding your thoughts to both websites. The Church Hill Peoples News can be accessed by clicking on it under the Community Blogs list on the lower right side of the GFN page.
I for one am outraged by this. Jones has already gotten under my skin about making Richmond City residents pay more for utilities. Why is it that beneficial programs are always the first to go? It is just like in High School where they are quick to cut music and art classes to put more money towards football. I am proud to say I didn’t vote for Dwight Jones!
Correction: Funding for the NRC’s Montessori Preschool has been completely cut from the mayor’s proposed budget. The NRC is currently slated to receive no funds, but Councilwoman Squire has introduced an amendment to restore the $30,000 per year in funding. The NRC needs your support. Please contact all the members of City Council asking them to support Councilwoman Squire’s amendment. Their information can be found here:
http://www.ci.richmond.va.us/citizen/city_gov/council.aspx
Let
Resource center could lose all city funding (nbc12 4/14/09)