TAMPA, Fla. — How do you change the trajectory of a community? Impact the children.

That’s the goal for a new partnership between the St. Pete Housing Authority and St. Pete College.

What You Need To Know

  • The goal of the new partnership aims at changing the trajectory of the lives of children

  • Jordan Park is a historic, predominantly African American community

  • To take part in the program, children must be St. Pete Housing Authority residents between the ages of seven and 17

  • St. Petersburg Housing Authority Jordan Park Youth Program

The goal of the new partnership aims at changing the trajectory of the lives of the children there.

The St. Pete Housing Authority and St. Petersburg College partnership was just announced for the Jordan Park neighborhood. SPC C.A.R.E., also known as Career Awareness and Readiness Events, is a youth development initiative with Jordan Park designed to connect children there with cutting-edge fields.

Jordan Park is a historic, predominantly African American community.

St. Pete Housing Authority Director of Social Services, Kiara Lovett said they had already planned programming for children that includes martial arts, tutoring and education support.

So, this new programming will only add to their new and exciting approach.

"I am hoping that they know that they have a community that cares, that is invested in their success and that they are loved," said Lovett.

Parents there said this is exactly what the community needs. 

"I think it's extremely important for the parents to have awareness and teach them that it's more to do than just hanging out and getting into trouble," said Jordan Park resident, Chrishauna Moore. "Because what they say, an idle mind, idle time, is the devil's playground."

The housing authority is taking in donations to offer even more programming to children in their communities.

To take part in the program, children must be St. Pete Housing Authority residents between the ages of seven and 17.