Hillsborough Education Foundation Moves Into Historic Building

Tampa teachers have a new place to go for resources and supplies.

The Hillsborough Education Foundation has moved into new digs at 2306 N. Howard Ave., which served as a cultural and social center in the 1930s. According to Melinda Dale, the foundation's marketing manager, the move brings two entities together under one roof.

"We moved into this building in mid-June of this year," she says. "Our Teaching Tools program and our administrative offices were in two separate locations. The Teaching Tools staff and supply store were at 3719 Corporex Park Drive, and the Foundation's administrative offices were in the Erwin Hi-TEC Center on Hillsborough Avenue. Now we are all housed in one location."

Dale says minimal renovations were required. "We had some renovation work to do to open up areas that the Museum of Art had sectioned off for their usage. The main construction needed was in the downstairs areas. We removed temporary walls and opened up the whole area to allow for more space. We will be working to raise funds to complete restoration projects on the historic aspects of the building."

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place on Sept. 27 at 5:30 p.m. An RSVP is required by Sept. 20.

The Teaching Tools program and supply store provide Hillsborough County teachers with free school supplies. According to Dale, the Teaching Tools program joined forces with the Hillsborough Education Foundation in 2006. "The program is open to 87 eligible Title I schools and education sites and has a waiting list of 68 schools. Every year approximately 1,800 teachers come to receive free supplies. With the new location we will be able to broaden our reach to more schools in the county."

Writer: Missy Kavanaugh
Source: Melinda Dale, Hillsborough Education Foundation