Bremerton native Marvin Williams was set to come home this week to give a boost to the center that will bear his name.
A tour and dinner were slated for the evening of Sept. 19 to benefit the Marvin Williams Youth Development and Birkenfeld Economic Development Center.
The centers are part of the $7.1 million project that includes two new facilities on one centralized campus along with welcoming outdoor spaces and ample parking to serve the West Bremerton community.
The first facility is an 18,000-square-foot, two-level community center with a gym, family activities and senior services designed to meet the health and wellness needs of the community.
The second facility is an 11,000-square-foot economic empowerment center designed to improve the community with vocational opportunities, and foster the success of future small business owners.
“My career has taken me to many places, but the community of Bremerton will forever hold a special place in my life,” said Williams, a power forward with the Charlotte Hornets. “I am excited to see the many roles that this center will play in helping our youth to reach their full potential.”
The development of the new centers, set to break ground at Eight Street and Park Avenue in November, is being spearheaded by the New Life Community Development Association, an offshoot of Emmanuel Apostolic Church. Bishop Larry Robertson is the president of New Life CDA and lead pastor at Emmanuel Apostolic. The project has been under development for just over two years and has nearly reached its fundraising goal to break ground late this fall.
“The C. Keith Birkenfeld Fund of the Seattle Foundation was inspired to give to the Marvin Williams Center because of it’s potential to improve lives today and well into the future,” fund director Claire Bishop said.
“Marvin Williams, outstanding athlete, and Keith Birkenfeld, philanthropist, are both hometown heroes. And the new centers offers ample evidence of this powerful combination. Once completed, families from throughout Kitsap County will find services and programs to make their lives even better.”
Bremerton Mayor Patty Lent is also excited about the project.
“The project will create a community meeting place for all youth and seniors on the west side of the City of Bremerton,” she said. “Lifelong learning begins with community involvement and the city supports this exciting endeavor by New Life CDA.”
Supporters of the project note that West Bremerton has a poverty rate of 29.6 percent. It is also designated as a food desert — a low-income area with low access to fresh foods. The area has an unemployment rate of 11.2 percent which is 1.5 times the national average. Supporters say that New Life CDA is transforming a vacant lot into a welcoming public space that brings pride, hope and opportunity to West Bremerton.
