Atlantic Beach, Florida: Beaches Habitat for Humanity and Oceanside Rotary have partnered to construct a covered shelter at the Jordan Community Center in Atlantic Beach. The Jordan Community Center is home to Beaches Habitat’s Education Program, where children of Beaches Habitat for Humanity homeowners and children within the surrounding community can participate in afterschool tutoring and mentorship. Community volunteers provide reading and mathematics tutoring to support instruction received during the regular school day.

Curtis Ford, President and CEO of Beaches Habitat and member of Oceanside Rotary, is leading the project. He said the shelter is a way to help the center and provide a service for the families in the area. The shelter will be used by students participating in programs at the Jordan Center and their families as a waiting area in inclement weather.

“The Jordan Center provides neighborhood children with a safe place to play, study and socialize. It’s a hub for local students and their families,” said Ford.

Oceanside Rotary was awarded a matching grant from Rotary District 6970 to fund the project. District grants are competitive and are awarded for short-term, smaller projects that directly benefit the community. Ford said there are two requirements for Rotary grants, and this project met both.

“First, Rotarians have to have an active role in the project. We don’t just make a donation and leave all the work for someone else,” he said. “Second, the project has to be sustainable. The shelter will continue to serve the community once Rotary’s work is done with minimal upkeep. We’re blessed to have a great partnership with the City of Atlantic Beach and their park service staff will take over regular maintenance.”

A construction crew from Beaches Habitat built the frame of the shelter with Rotarians painting and landscaping. Romano Brothers Roofing provided the shelter’s roof.