fell in disrepair. In the fall of 1992 The renaissance of, Hampton’s Old Y. Thomas Junior High School was initiated when a number of neighborhood organizations formed the Coalition for Community Pride and Progress, approached Hampton City Council with the idea of converting a wing of the old school to a community center. Hampton Council agreed that it would fund the renovations if the community wo
uld staff the center with volunteers. Initial steps were to secure funding 400,000 came from CBG funding to restore the roof. Additional renovations were provided from both the Capital budget and CBG funding. In April 1996 Y. phase I was completed with the opening of the gymnasium and several meeting rooms and administrative offices. Thomas completed the last phase of renovation with the assistance from AmeriCorp funding. Volunteers contribute between 700 and 800 hrs per month and in 1999 the Center had over 20,000 attendees
Center Programs and Activities
Programs and activities include life skills workshops, after school homework enrichment and tutoring, teen club, summer playground program, youth football, basketball, and cheerleading and other community activities. In 2000 The Center opened Kids Café in partnership with the Y. Thomas Alumni Association Inc. and the Food Bank of the Peninsula. Kids Café is an after school-feeding program that includes a nutrition education component. Tutoring is provided by Americorps and Omegas Psi Phi Fraternity. In 2001, a computer technology lab opened.
