Audubon Kids’ Zone Demolishes Building and Unveils Hub Design

Community One and the Audubon Kids’ Zone (AKZ) will host a Neighborhood Block Party on Friday, June 19 at 4 PM to celebrate the demolition of the former Independence Bank building making way for new construction. At the Block Party , the designs for the new building will be unveiled. The Party will be located at 1325 Powell Street in Henderson, the site of the Audubon Kids’ Zone hub.

Earlier this Spring, Community One announced the creation of the Audubon Kids’ Zone as a collaboration with the Raymond B. Preston Family Foundation, the City of Henderson, Engage Henderson, and the South Heights Elementary School. The AKZ seeks to identify the needs of families and kids living in the East End using a geography of ten blocks as a sample to determine need and measure impact. The hope is to deliver necessary support to insure success for children living within the zone and beyond from prenatal to college age.

The Block Party brings neighbors together with AKZ staff and volunteers. “We’re excited to meet with the families of the Kids’ Zone and celebrate progress,” says Lori Reed, Community Development Director for Community One.

Plans for the Hub’s construction, sponsored in part by the Raymond B. Preston Family Foundation, will be unveiled to the neighborhood at this time. The building is designed to elevate the vision for the neighborhood and the future of kids who don’t lack capacity, just opportunity. The building will be the Hub for the work, although much of the daily work will happen where the students are – at home and at school. Tammy Sutton, of Light House Counseling and AKZ consultant says, “We are excited to bridge the support gap for students between school and where they live. The partnership with South Heights staff and AKZ is an exciting model which we hope to replicate with more schools.”

The Audubon Kids’ Zone Board continues to seek community support as they work to raise money for the building and collaborate to develop first year programming. “Every resource is necessary to help kids succeed, no exceptions,” says Rob Carroll, South Heights Elementary School Principal and AKZ Board Member.