We are thrilled to announce the near completion of the restoration to the beloved schoolhouse, St. Benedict the Moor. Thanks to the community’s unwavering support and dedication to preserving this historic school, we have successfully revitalized this cherished landmark!
While the structural renovations are finished, our work is not yet completed. We now turn our attention to furnishing the center to make it a vibrant space of learning for the young single working mothers of St. Joseph Neighborhood Center. This is where we need your help.
Adopt a Room & Inspire hope!
We are excited to offer a unique opportunity for you or your organization to contribute to the preservation of St. Benedict the Moor Schoolhouse's rich history and directly impact the women who will come to the St. Joseph Neighborhood Center through our Adopt‐a‐Room initiative. Through adopting a room, you become a vital part of creating an environment where young, single working mothers can thrive, offering them a transformative space to craft the futures they aspire to for themselves and their children.
Scroll below to view the room descriptions and estimated cost.
Can't adopt a whole room, each item can be sponsored separately!
The Upper Room
The Upper Room, is a private gathering space where we can serve the needs of our community.
Located on the 2nd floor, this area will serve as a versatile hub for retreats, social gatherings, and meetings. To optimize its functionality, the space necessitates high-quality audiovisual equipment, encompassing televisions, speakers, webcam, and microphones, designed to facilitate multimedia presentations and seamless online collaboration.
To furnish this room, the estimated cost is $85,000.
Additionally, within the allocated budget, provisions will be made for quality tables, chairs, and fine linens to ensure a comfortable and elegant atmosphere for all events.
The Teaching Kitchen
This special kitchen is much more than a place where food is prepared; it is where culture is exchanged, experiences are shared, relationships are forged, and skills are honed. As it was for the founding Sisters of St. Joseph, the kitchen is where healing and hope begins.
To furnish the kitchen, the estimated cost is $70,000.
This encompasses essential kitchen appliances like stove-tops, ovens, fire suppression devices, dishwashers, and refrigerators, forming the backbone of culinary operations. Additionally, an array of cooking utensils is indispensable, including food processors, blenders, mixers, and an extensive assortment of essential cooking equipment: pots, pans, mixing bowls, knives, baking sheets, cooling racks, oven mitts, whisks, spatulas, slotted spoons, ladles, rolling pins, tongs, serving utensils, plates, cups, and silverware.
The Computer Lab
This classroom is the central hub for learning. It will be used daily for classes, guest lectures, online course work, and group counseling. Financial Fitness, Alpha, and Being your Best Self are among the classes that will be facilitated in this room.
To furnish this room, the estimated cost is $35,000.
As you can see in the diagram, we have to outfit the entire room. This includes laptops (equipped with appropriate software and hardware specifications). Audiovisual equipment, such as Television, speakers, webcams, and microphones, that support multimedia presentations and online collaboration. Comfortable seating arrangements, comprised of desks or tables and ergonomic chairs, ensuring students can work on computers comfortably. Storage solutions like cabinets or lockers secure equipment when not in use, and power management tools like surge protectors and charges to maintain electricity supply stability.
This room has already received $10,000 of our $35,000 goal. Could you help us close the remaining gap?
Porch seating - Has been funded
The grand porch isn't just a place for the mail carrier to deliver packages, but an extension of the St. Joseph Neighborhood Center. We envision it as a welcoming haven where neighbors gather to share conversations over glasses of iced tea, a place to pause and enjoy the summer breeze, or engage in meaningful visits with a Sister of St. Joseph. This space is intended to exude hospitality, offering cozy seating and a serene ambiance where one can unwind while savoring a refreshing glass of lemonade.
Can't adopt a whole room, each item can be sponsored separately!
We have estimated the cost to be $10,000.
This room has already been chosen by Alicia Crew & Janet Stoner and we are so very grateful!
Admin Offices
The administrative team is the cornerstone of St. Joseph Neighborhood Center, providing the essential support that allows us to fulfill our mission. Ensuring a conducive and efficient workspace is paramount to maximizing productivity.
To meet these needs, we have estimated the cost to be $20,000.
This will cover the essential items such as four desks, office chairs, laptops, a copier/printer, file cabinets, and other necessary equipment. Additionally, we recognize the importance of a welcoming reception area and plan to include appropriate seating to foster a warm and inclusive atmosphere for all who visit.
Safety Matters!
At St. Joseph Neighborhood Center, we are dedicated to providing a safe place for the women and their children who are participating in our program. Ensuring the safety of our participants is vital. Trespassing, vandalism, and other security threats are always a concern. These types of incidents could not only jeopardize the well-being of our participants but also undermine their sense of security and stability during their journey of healing and growth.
As a proactive step, we have installed outdoor lighting and a state of the art security system. Cameras will serve as a deterrent to trespassers and vandals while also providing our staff with the necessary tools to monitor and respond to any potential security threats in real-time.
To meet these security needs, we have estimated the cost to be $93,000.
Childcare Room - Has been funded
Juggling education, employment, and the care of their child poses a challenging obstacle for young single mothers of St. Joseph Neighborhood Center. Our Childcare room stands as a vital resource, offering a convenient and nurturing alternative when traditional childcare services are unavailable—especially during holiday breaks and teacher administrative days. Specifically tailored to address the needs of both child and mother, this dedicated space enables mothers to concentrate on their academic or professional pursuits with peace of mind.
This room has already been chosen by The Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court # 23 and we are so very grateful!
If you are interesting in sponsoring a room, or contributing towards a specific item, please contact us today at:
Pcroucher@sjncfl.org
or call 904-824-9100