TUFF Kids building the future

Volunteers united to begin work on the TUFF Kids Community Youth Center over the weekend. The building has a rich history as it was a Masonic Lodge for 70 years. The building had been abandoned since the organization disbanded over 12 years ago, but all previous members re-established the lodge to have one last meeting to vote on giving the building to TUFF Kids. They then met at the office of Jennifer Bergman, prior to becoming Liberty County District Attorney, to sign over the building.

Now there are high hopes to breathe new life into the structure and the surrounding community. Volunteers from across the area joined to take the building “down to the studs” in order to begin the journey of remodeling the facility. There is much work yet to be done, but the process has started. TUFF Kids has also acquired the lots adjacent to the building.

TUFF Kids is a nonprofit organization of concerned citizens that has been around since 2010 and focuses on educating, mentoring and helping children in the Greater Cleveland area.

“This building literally offers an opportunity to provide additional outreach for our community and give kids a safe place to learn important life skills and a foundation to become productive members of society,” said TUFF Kids Executive Director Eisha Jones.

If you would like to donate or contribute to TUFF Kids or this project, a new website, www.tuffkids.net, is currently being built or visit their Facebook page.