Partnership Accelerates Garden Oaks Community Center Renovation
Media Release: February 8, 2023
OKLAHOMA CITY — Financing provided to the Alpha Community Foundation of Oklahoma by MetaFund and the Oklahoma Impact Investing Collaborative, a subsidiary of the Oklahoma-based nonprofit, will accelerate the renovation of the Garden Oaks Elementary School into the Garden Oaks Community Center. The foundation purchased the property from Oklahoma City Public Schools. It plans to open the renovated facility in the summer of 2023 making educational programs and activities for all ages available to the northeast Oklahoma City community.
The Alpha Community Foundation of Oklahoma is committed to revitalizing northeast Oklahoma City through civic engagement, educational outreach, health and wellness, and community service. Their mission ties directly with MetaFund’s quest to help create sustainable social impact.
The community-driven project was selected for funding in part because of the plans to repurpose an existing property while holistically engaging the surrounding neighborhood. The decision was also largely based on the lack of after-school tutoring programs in the area. Research shows that literacy and homework resources through after-school programs have been found to narrow achievement gaps in math between children of different incomes.
"We are thrilled to partner with MetaFund on this project," said George Williams, Chairman of the Alpha Community Foundation of Oklahoma. "The Garden Oaks Community Center will be a shining light in the northeast Oklahoma City area and serve as a central location for all of our programs. We believe that by working together, we can make a real impact in the lives of those in our community.”
The center will feature a community garden, library, media center, STEM lab, business incubator space, conference rooms, and community meeting spaces, offering a wide range of activities for students, seniors, and community members.
“This project was initiated by the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, a historical African-American fraternity, who mobilized what already existed in the community in pursuit of progress,” said Maurianna Adams, MetaFund’s Chief Community Investment Officer. “They serve as leaders of the foundation and will operate the center.”
The Alpha Community Foundation of Oklahoma has already been active in the community, hosting a variety of outreach programs such as a Back-to-School Supply Drive, Trunk or Treat, Blood Drive, Youth Tutoring and Mentoring Program, Charity Golf Tournament, and more.
For more information on the Alpha Community Foundation of Oklahoma, visit their website at www.alphafoundationok.org. More information about the Oklahoma Impact Investing Collaborative and MetaFund is available at www.metafund.org or by calling 405-949-0001.
