‘Repurposed with a purpose’: Community celebrates student support center

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — “Developing the whole child,” is a core mission of the Houston County School District, and they’ve been busy finding local programs that help to accomplish that. Under one roof, the Lindsey Student Support Center is now providing those programs and resources to students and adults alike.

At the newly renovated student center, local leaders, district staff, parents, children and the community gathered for an open house and lunch to celebrate the achievement on Monday. Interested citizens could take a tour of the facility, meet staff who work there, and grab a bite to eat along the way.

Superintendent Mark Scott kicked off the event by thanking district staff who attended and renovated the building. Scott also thanked the community for their ongoing support of education.

“We’re so very fortunate to live in a community that loves and supports public education, and who cares about the community as a whole. This is a step for our school district, a step for our community, in really being responsive to the needs of our community,” Scott said.

Finally, Scott spoke on careful planning to renovate the facility and district’s overall vision to help improve quality of life for students, proudly believing the student center will do just that.

He said the district met with local leaders and community partners to plan. In September of last year, the district sent out a survey to gauge needs in the community, garnering over 17,000 responses.

After Scott spoke, Zabrina Cannady, the district’s Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, took the podium. Earlier Scott said she was the heart behind the renovation. She provided more information to the public during the ceremony.

Calling the building “repurposed with a purpose,” she also thanked district leadership and staff for the services they provide and role they play for students, while also thanking local leaders and community groups for their involvement.

“I know that moving forward together we will make headway in supporting the needs of the whole child: all of the students across the district, and the things that they need to enhance and improve their academic, social, emotional and physical wellbeing,” Cannady said.

Cannady explained the programs offered to students and the community, also shown in person during the tour.

Based on the needs assessment survey, the district located four main requests from the community: college and career prep, cooking classes, access to mental health services and access to personal care and hygiene products.

In response, the district provided multiple avenues at the center that provide those needs as well as additional resources, such as a food pantry, clothing closet, computer and technology labs, literacy center and student and teacher supply closets.

The repurposed school will also serve as a practice facility for the Houston County Sharks, as well as a venue for Project AWARE, Child Find Services, the Summer Meal Program, staff and student training, as well as district and community meetings and workshops.

Speaking with The Journal after the event, Cannady said the center was a local effort, with much of the furnishings purchased locally and overall, she is excited to see the center grow and looking towards the future.

“I am thrilled, but the next step is making sure people know what is available,” Cannady said. “That’s the next charge. This is great; the facility is ready. It’s now very attractive, so now, let’s put it to use.”

Many programs available will be open to the community throughout the day and after school. For more information on the center’s offerings, visit the district’s website: hcbe.net/lindseycenter.

The Lindsey Student Support Center is located at 81 Tabor Drive in Warner Robins and can be contacted at (478) 929-7818.

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