FORT WALTON BEACH — Todd Gatlin with the Eleanor J. Johnson Youth Center isn’t one to brag about the hundreds of children who have come through the center and whose lives have been changed.
The Fort Walton Beach native says for almost 15 years the center at the Charlie Hill Terrace public housing complex has made it its mission to quietly make a difference. But now he’s asking the community for help to keep it open.
“When you see these kids playing, they don’t know how close it is,” said Gatlin, the center’s executive director. “It’s like the saying, ‘Just a check away from not having anything.’ Without this building, what will these kids do? Where will they go?”
Gatlin said the center needs paper goods such as napkins and plates, school supplies, utensils, soap and snacks.
“Basically, we’ll take anything,” he said. “Our biggest need, though, is consistent financial help and people willing to come here and help with homework and volunteers to work during the summer.”
Gatlin says about 98 percent of the children in the after-school and summer programs are from single-parent homes.
He said his goal is to be financially stable and keep the center opened for years to come.
“We’re just a small agency making an impact on these kids,” Gatlin said. “What’s important is that we make a difference, but if we don’t generate income we could close.”
Each day after school, students are required to spend at least 90 minutes on homework before play time, which includes coloring, games and sports. For the summer program that begins June 11, students will take field trips, listen to guest speakers and have play time.
“This center really makes a difference in these kids’ lives,” Gatlin said in his office with walls covered with photos of children who have been through the center. “We do good things quietly in our community, but we need help.”
WANT TO HELP?: Contact Todd Gatlin at 244-5991 or email him at gatlin@ejjyc,gccoxmail.com. Visitors are welcome at the Eleanor J. Johnson Youth Center.
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Angel McCurdy at 850-315-4432 or amccurdy@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @AngelMnwfdn.