St. Pete Standard

The City of St. Petersburg and a group of community partners are gearing up to unveil the city's inaugural Community Support Hub, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for Friday, March 1, at 1427 22nd St. S. The event will be live-streamed on the City of St. Petersburg Facebook page for those unable to attend in person.

St. Petersburg Mayor Kenneth T. Welch expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, "Community Support Hubs represent an innovative approach to what we are trying to achieve through our Neighborhood and Safety pillar for progress." He added, "Providing a physical space where residents can seek assistance for their personal needs by compassionate individuals will be a gamechanger for how our community cares for one another. We’re excited to have this first hub come online!"

The initiative is a collaborative effort involving the City of St. Petersburg, Pinellas Community Foundation, The Well, Gulf Coast JFCS, and People Empowering & Restoring Communities (PERC). These hubs will offer counseling, care management, assertive outreach, and tailored services to address the specific needs of each community they serve. The project aims to establish multiple hubs across St. Pete by the end of 2026.

Duggan Cooley, CEO of the Pinellas Community Foundation, shared his excitement about the partnership, stating, "We're thrilled to partner with the City of St. Petersburg and community nonprofits for the launch of the city's first Community Support Hub." He emphasized the potential of the initiative to have a positive impact on the community, saying, "This initiative, born from collaboration and dedication, holds the potential for a profound positive influence on our community. We're honored to contribute to a resilient and compassionate community."

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will feature speeches from various dignitaries, including Mayor Kenneth T. Welch, Council Member John Muhammad, Duggan Cooley, Dr. LaDonna Butler, Dr. Sandra Braham, and Michael Jalazo.

Individuals interested in attending the event are encouraged to park at the SPC Midtown Parking Lot or find street parking in the neighborhood. The Community Support Hub will be open for visits between 10 am and 6 pm, Monday through Friday.

For more information on the Community Support Hubs and other projects supported by the American Rescue Plan Act funding in St. Petersburg, visit stpete.org/Hubs and stpete.org/ARPA, respectively.