For more than four years volunteers have shown up weekend after weekend to put in sweat equity to salvage the historical Faith Temple Missionary Baptist Church for a new mission. By March the church is expected to be ready for its debut as the Tampa Heights Youth Development and Community Center.
The final push to complete the makeover is coming from
Waypoint Homes and its WIN (Waypoint Invests in Neighborhoods) Program. On successive Thursdays in January a dozen or so WIN team employees work room by room to hang doors, install drywall, put up light fixtures, and finish up trim work.
The single family rental company owns property throughout Tampa Bay including in the Tampa Heights neighborhood. As part of its WIN program, Waypoint Home sponsors a number of projects to give back to those communities.
"We search out projects," says John Rapisarda, regional property manager. "We love to do something where we impact the neighborhood where we rent and own homes."
Company officials are offering materials and company volunteers to finish renovations at the community center for its March opening. Some of it vendors also are contributing materials and labor including Sherwin Williams which is providing flooring.
Waypoint Homes employees will install the flooring.
"It was perfect for us because in addition to contributing financially we want our team to contribute their time," says David Diaz, Waypoint Home's regional director.
The Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association, which is spearheading the renovation project, provides free youth programs year-round, including after-school and summer activities. The renovated church will include a computer lab, art classroom, recording studio, dining/kitchen area, 300-seat auditorium and performance stage.
"We like everything about this program," says Diaz. "They follow the kids from kindergarten to make sure they graduate from high school."
Over the years national chains, such as Sears, and local businesses, such as
CGM Services: Air Conditioning and Heating, have contributed labor and materials to the project. Nonprofit
Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay and Richard Gonzmart of the
Columbia Restaurant Group also are contributors.
The total in donations and volunteer labor likely is close to $1 million, says Lena Young-Green, president of the
Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association. Once Waypoint Homes completes its work, the last step is finding a vendor and materials to replace the roof, Young-Green says.
The Beck Group is helping with this search.
Local architect John Tennison, with
Atelier Architecture Engineering Construction, has supervised the volunteer work and guided restoration efforts.
"It's been enlightening working with people who come by to help," he says. "It's surprising how many people want to give their time and effort. It's a great program and people see that."
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