Druid Hill YMCA Family Center
Baltimore, April 30, 2010 - What better way to pay tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. than to renovate one of the oldest African-American Y's in the country?
Each January for the past 35 years, the Y of Central Maryland hosts a breakfast to honor Dr. King. This year, the Y decided to forego the event and invest time and energy instead into the revitalization of the historic Druid Hill Family Center Y in Baltimore.
Baltimore-based contractor The Michael Group, which has been a financial supporter of the Y for many years, is the lead volunteer contractor on this project. The funds saved from not doing the breakfast along with corporate sponsorship funds partially covered the cost of the project. The Michael Group, together with Peristyle Design and a committee of dedicated volunteers enlisted subcontractors and suppliers to work pro bono at the facility to get the job done.
"We're a proud supporter of the Y. We've been donating to the MLK breakfast for several years," said Michael Shacklette, President of The Michael Group, which has been working for years in West Baltimore neighborhoods such as Druid Heights, Sandtown and Upton. "We went to see the Druid Hill Family Center Y, and we heard the history and the story behind it. Knowing the type of services involved, we thought it was a good fit."
"This is a very old building with lots of deferred maintenance issues," said Shacklette. The Michael Group began renovations at the facility in March. Some of the updates include: a new gymnasium floor; new furniture, paint and flooring in the lobby and childcare area; and new computer work stations, paint, electrical, flooring and 25 new computers in the computer lab.
John K. Hoey, President & CEO of the Y of Central Maryland added "The outpouring of support for this project inclusive of volunteer labor, is nothing short of amazing and truly inspirational. The Michael Group and Peristyle have all gone above and beyond. The community we serve in Druid Hill will benefit greatly from their contributions."
"The partnerships we have built on this project are inspiring. It just goes to show, that even in bad economic times, generous businesses and individuals are willing to help out for a good cause." said Perry Savoy, Owner of Peristyle Design.
The work on the Y culminated with a week of community service beginning April 26. Corporate teams volunteered throughout the Druid Hill neighborhood, performing various planting, clean-up and weatherization projects.
The Druid Hill Family Center Y officially reopened the gymnasium, lobby and computer lab on Friday, April 30. The Y, along with the Michael Group and Peristyle Design hosted a free community block party in front of the center. The party included food, live music, face painting, free books, community vendors and artists, the Y Fit-n-Fun Van, a farmer's market, games, giveaways and other activities.
The Michael Group, Peristyle and the volunteer committee secured services and/or supplies from the following businesses to make the Druid Hill Y renovation possible: Colossal Contractors, Silverblatt Electric, Business Flooring, Allstate Floors and Construction Inc., Floors Etc, Wilhelm Commercial Builders, Mahogany Inc. and Bay Door and Hardware, Judd's Trucking Co, Inc.
