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Matty Williams Center expansion opens new services; directors thank city for funding
Summary
Matty Williams Neighborhood Family Center staff reported the completion of a 1,574-square-foot expansion that allowed resumption and growth of programs including a USDA food distribution, expanded case management and health partnerships; center leaders thanked the commission for prior funding and described recent client assistance cases.
Representatives of the Matty Williams Neighborhood Family Center updated the Safety Harbor City Commission on operations following a recent 1,574-square-foot expansion and thanked commissioners for city funding that supported the project.
Janet Hooper, who addressed the commission during public comment, said the center’s expansion has already increased community use: “We have community groups coming in and using the facility. We have budget workshops already scheduled,” she said, and noted the center’s plans for hurricane-preparedness outreach. David Hale, executive director of the Matty Williams Center, described service restoration and expansion: “Now that the front doors are open, we've seen more of our citizens in Safety Harbor showing up in need of help,” he said, and added that the center resumed USDA distribution and expanded case management staff from one to two positions.
Hale recounted three recent complex cases in which the center partnered with city code enforcement and law enforcement to assist seniors and families in need, including helping a single senior relocate to assisted living and coordinating roof repairs after storm damage. He said the center is primarily funded by the Juvenile Welfare Board and focuses on families with children but has taken on several deeper-assistance cases involving seniors.
Both speakers thanked the commission for prior support and encouraged continued partnership as the center expands services.
No formal action by the commission was required or taken during public comment.
