Tolson Center becomes independent organization

 

ELKHART, Ind., --- The Tolson center, a community staple in Elkhart that once struggled got new management and is set to get major revamp.

The Tolson Center that has been serving youth and adults since it opened in 1991 finally got approval to become an independent non-profit organization.

A transfer ceremony happened Thursday for the community staple that nearly closed over lack of funding.

After more than three decades the center is no longer run by the city but instead is an independent non-profit.

“There we’re many community meetings that took place in 2018 and 2019 to rally around really just saving the Tolson Center and bringing it back to what it used to be which is that staple in the South Central neighborhood of Elkhart. It needed to be an independent organization,” said Breanna Allen the Executive Director, of the center.

The move is something not only the center thought will be more beneficial for the community, but also the mayor.

“One of the reasons why public private relationship is important is that it brings private investment along with a private interest and with our foundation in turning Tolson over to the non-profit and helping to fund it along the way it allows for it to have a much bigger broader foundation to build upon. The non for profit is one that’s made up of the community,” said Elkhart Mayor Rod Roberson.

In addition to the center being run by a community board of directors it’s also set to get millions of dollars in upgrades that will double its size and add gyms, multimedia rooms, a kitchen, an outdoor soccer field, and more.

The center will be closed the summer with new renovations expected to be done by the fall of 2023.

A ground breaking will also get underway on May 24 from 4:00-7:00 pm for the new facility.

For information about the center click here.

A list of summer programs in the area can be found here.