May 07, 2002
The bill passed by a vote of 401-18 and provided $250,000 for the Freedom Center in Oakland, which is dedicated to creating educational and cultural programs as well as employment opportunities in the areas of non-violence, conflict resolution, civil rights, environmental education and ecological restoration with a specific focus on at-risk youth in the Bay Area.
"The Freedom Center is a wonderful resource for under-served youth in our community to learn about Dr. King's Legacy and the principles of justice and equality," said Lee. "This federal funding will further assist with the center's design and construction so they can develop an outstanding program for the young people and adults alike."
The Freedom Center's Youth Advisory Board held its first major youth event -- "The Sounds of Freedom" -- last Friday evening, May 3rd in Martin Luther King, Jr. Regional Shoreline Park in Oakland. Over 4 dozen Bay Area young people heard 15 young poets offer their original spoken word reflections on daily life issues, politics, global conflict and civil rights.
"This grant comes at a perfect time," added Claire Greensfelder, Freedom Center Executive Director. "We have just completed our draft business plan and concept design for the Center and our youth program has been successfully launched. These funds will help us take the next essential step to creating a new Freedom Center."
For more information on the Freedom Center, please contact Claire Greensfelder at (510) 383-1067 (Freedom Center) or (510) 917 -5468 (cell).
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Congresswoman Lee Announces Release of Funds for MLK Freedom Center Design
Washington DC - Congresswoman Lee today announced that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has released funding for the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center of Oakland, California, that was included in H.R. 2620, the annual spending bill for the Department of Veterans Affairs and (VA) and HUD for fiscal year 2002.The bill passed by a vote of 401-18 and provided $250,000 for the Freedom Center in Oakland, which is dedicated to creating educational and cultural programs as well as employment opportunities in the areas of non-violence, conflict resolution, civil rights, environmental education and ecological restoration with a specific focus on at-risk youth in the Bay Area.
"The Freedom Center is a wonderful resource for under-served youth in our community to learn about Dr. King's Legacy and the principles of justice and equality," said Lee. "This federal funding will further assist with the center's design and construction so they can develop an outstanding program for the young people and adults alike."
The Freedom Center's Youth Advisory Board held its first major youth event -- "The Sounds of Freedom" -- last Friday evening, May 3rd in Martin Luther King, Jr. Regional Shoreline Park in Oakland. Over 4 dozen Bay Area young people heard 15 young poets offer their original spoken word reflections on daily life issues, politics, global conflict and civil rights.
"This grant comes at a perfect time," added Claire Greensfelder, Freedom Center Executive Director. "We have just completed our draft business plan and concept design for the Center and our youth program has been successfully launched. These funds will help us take the next essential step to creating a new Freedom Center."
For more information on the Freedom Center, please contact Claire Greensfelder at (510) 383-1067 (Freedom Center) or (510) 917 -5468 (cell).
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