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Positive Spin Gets New Location, Grant

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By LENORA LAKE

Tribune correspondent

Published: July 30, 2008

UNIVERSITY AREA - Positive Support for Parents in Neighborhoods has relocated from the University Area but will continue to serve part of that community and some of East Tampa, as well.

The organization known as Positive Spin moved this month to LeTourneau Executive Center, 5118 N. 56th St., Suite 242, from the St. James Place Town Homes on 127th Avenue near 15th Street. It had provided counseling and referrals for families in the 33612 and 33613 ZIP codes, as well as children's educational activities from the site, since 2001.

Now, families in the 33610 and 33612 ZIP codes will be eligible for Positive Spin's services. Residents of the 33613 ZIP code are being directed to the University Area Neighborhood Social Services Center.

Harriett Scott, director of Positive Spin, said the St. James complex sold recently and the new owners needed to have all its apartment units available for residential use as part of its federally subsidized housing contract. The agency occupied three four-bedroom apartments at the complex.

Scott said the "need is greater in 33610 than in 33613," with a higher incidence of reported child abuse.

The two areas also will benefit from a $250,000, one-year grant Positive Spin recently received from the Kellogg's Foundation of Battle Creek, Mich. The foundation, started in 1930, supports programs that assist children and families to achieve success.

Peter Gorski, director of research and innovation for The Children's Board of Hillsborough County, submitted the grant application for Positive Spin. He said the money will be used for support of the existing program and a partnership project between families and businesses.

The specific plans are being designed now, he said, but it will involve "identifying business leaders who are dependent upon those residents in communities."

He said businesses would be asked to "adopt" families for job training and mentoring. Those businesses might hire members of those families and qualify for tax incentives designated for low-income areas undergoing redevelopment.

The families to be considered for selection for the business program would be required to attend family conferences.

Scott said she hopes to engage the University Area Business Association and the East Tampa Partnership in the business project.

Correspondent Lenora Lake can be reached at (813) 865-4851 or llake@tampatrib.com.

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