Metro Action’s Tom Joy Head Start Celebrated Completion of $480,000 Structural Improvement Project
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October 23, 2002 - Today Mayor Bill Purcell joined Cynthia Croom, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Action Commission, and the commission’s Board of Commissioners, for an open house and flag raising ceremony Tom Joy Head Start Center (1900 Lischey Avenue).
The Open House included remarks from Mayor Purcell and Mrs. Croom. The 118th Airlift Wing of the Air National Guard along with one of the 4-year-old classes of Tom Joy conducted a special flag raising ceremony and Pledge of Allegiance. The ceremony ended with a tour of the Center.
“Mayor Purcell recommended to Metro Council that MAC receive a total of $750,000 for improvements to all Head Start Centers during 2001/02 Capitol Campaign. Approximately $480,000 of that fund was spent on the Tom Joy site,” said Croom.
The condition of a dilapidated portion of the building attached to front of Tom Joy prompted the decision to designate the majority of the funds for renovations to the Tom Joy center.
“The collapsing portion of the building was torn down immediately and it was determined that Tom Joy had the most emergent need for additional structural improvements,” said Croom.
Key improvements were: ADA compliant ramps, walkways and restrooms, major renovation to the main entrance, a security entry system, roofing, landscaping, flagpole and canopied walkway.
The remaining funds will be spent on repairs at other Head Start sites.
Metro Action’s Head Start program is the largest provider of Early Childhood Education in Davidson County. Head Start has approximately 1,485 students enrolled in the program and its partner sites throughout the city.