Spaulding Center surprised with $1M grant

U.S. Rep. Don Davis presented the Spaulding Family Resource Center with a $1 million federal grant award on Monday.

“The Spaulding Family Resource Center is an opportunity to help grow the community, to provide resources for families for a better life and to preserve a rich legacy that is propelling us for the next generation in this community,” Davis said. “And we’re watching these federal investments being made right here.”

Davis spokesperson Kimberly Mack said the congressman’s office received more than 100 proposals for community funding. 

“This is another miracle,” said Spaulding Family Resource Center President Johnny Perry.

Perry said the Spaulding Center’s cultural art building, or “Building D” at 600 S. Pine St., will eventually house the town of Spring Hope library and a computer lab with classes. 

After a new ventilation system is installed, Perry said board members have a list of projects and ideas based on community engagement forums held about three years ago. 

“There’s a tremendous need to assist veterans,” Perry said, adding that he worked for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for 33 years and he hopes the board will agree to provide programs for veterans and their families. 

“The main thing, as you know, is going to be our HVAC system (in the auditorium and in the gym),” Perry said.  

‘SPEECHLESS AND IN AWE’

Davis requested a grant for Spaulding Center projects from Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act funds, according to a letter he wrote to House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Kay Granger and Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro.

“This project is a good use of taxpayer funds because it benefits the Spring Hope community as well as most of southern Nash County,” Davis wrote. “The Spaulding Family Resource Center serves seniors and children as well as local underprivileged communities.”

The letter says federal money would be used to renovate and restore the historic “Building D,” providing community classroom spaces, a computer lab, the Spring Hope library, public meeting spaces for senior citizens and children and administrative offices for staff and collaborators. 

A portion of the money will fund a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system for the historic barrel-roof gymnasium that’s used for wellness programs and youth activities, the letter says. 

“I’m just speechless and in awe and just want to give God glory for what he has done through you and what we can now do for our community,” Spaulding Center Program Director Corliss Newkirk told Davis.

‘ENJOY, GROW, DEVELOP’

The Spaulding Family Resource Center was created as a Rosenwald school originally named C.C. Spaulding High School. 

According the the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Booker T. Washington of the Tuskegee Institute and Julius Rosenwald, philanthropist and president of Sears Roebuck, built state-of-the art schools for one-third of African American children and teachers across the South by 1928. 

Davis said he would provide Perry with information on designating the Spaulding Center as a historic site along with details on additional funding pathways.

“I’m especially proud and honored because this school, this community has done so much for so many,” said Patricia Thorne, a 1968 Spaulding High graduate. “So this is a great opportunity for this Spaulding Family Resource Center to be able to give back. A place where people can come and just enjoy, grow, develop —  just like I did.”