Booker T. Washington Community Center has received CDBG funding in the past, and one program was funded this year, said Clifford Porter, executive director. The center received roughly $13,000 for its after-school tutoring program. Although he is upset with the denial of additional funding — which he believes went to benefit Junior Welfare League — Porter is grateful for what his organization received now and in the past.
"We appreciate everything the CDBG does for us. Last year, the CDBG offered $400 for the Booker T. after-school program, but city staff increased it to $6,000," Porter said. "We will continue to appreciate what we get; we serve our community and advocate for community members who are in need."
The center, a United Way member organization that provides at-risk children a safe and productive environment after school, is sponsoring events this year to try to raise money for unfunded requests from CDBG. The center also requested $5,000 for its mentoring program, but received no funding.
"The Junior Welfare League requested for moving to another building. They said they have been serving the community for 80 years. ... They haven't been serving the same people," Porter said.
In the past 15 years, Booker T. Washington Community Center has received about $800,000 in CDBG funds, averaging about $54,000 per year. However, Porter said most of that funding came during the early years of the CDBG program, when more funding was available from the federal government. He also said most applicants that were approved then also received more funds.
Junior Welfare League applied for the funds last year for renovation of the downtown building but was denied, said Eva Bartley, JWL president. She said the reason given for the denial was the organization did not own the building. Bartley said JWL had purchased the building at that time but had not closed on the purchase. JWL reapplied this year because it now owns the building.
"There (is a) list of things we applied for, basically updating the electricity, there are some (Americans with Disabilities Act) issues ... mostly brick and mortar," Bartley said.
The current JWL building was purchased by the city for $155,000. It was originally priced at $179,900. After the price dropped approximately six months ago to $159,900, JWL was approached by the city, she said.
Bartley said even though the city of Enid purchased JWL's building, the CDBG funding comes through an account outside the city.
"The CDBG board is funded through (Housing and Urban Development), which are federal funds and the city bought our building with city funds — those are two separate entities," Bartley said. "The money has nothing to do with what we applied for through HUD."
She said JWL started the CDBG application before it knew the city was buying its building. JWL's original request to the CDBG committee was $165,000.
"We knew we wouldn't receive all of that, but we were encouraged to apply for the full amount. Most of those organizations that receive thousands of dollars get it every year," Bartley said.
Bartley said YWCA and Booker T. Washington Community Center are worthy, but Junior Welfare League does just as much because it serves the underprivileged through school counselors in town.
"We gave blankets, coats, shoes, basic hygiene supplies, plus we also funded these organizations. We helped start many of these organizations," she said.
Bartley said JWL gave money to YWCA, and in the past has financially supported Booker T. Washington Community Center. The JWL raises funds through a number of ways, including its annual gala. Gala funds, up to $30,000 to $40,000 annually, have been used to pay for the building project the past two years.
Bartley said the organization is able to fund its various programs partly through its thrift shop, where people can find quality items at affordable prices. That money, in turn, goes back into the community.
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