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Community Corner

University Area CDC's Prodigy Presents at Pasco County Legislative Delegation Meeting

LAND O’LAKES, Fla. – (Jan. 28, 2013) – Ron Bradford of the University Area Community Development Corporation’s (UACDC) Prodigy cultural arts program addressed Florida State Legislators during the Pasco County Legislative Delegation Meeting Jan. 22. The meeting was held at Charles S. Rushe Middle School. 

Prodigy, funded by the Department of Juvenile Justice, delivers life skills such as anger management, problem-solving and conflict resolution through performing and visual arts curriculum for at-risk youth ages 7-17. Classes such as painting, dancing, singing and acting are taught by professional artists during after school hours and on Saturdays.

“Prodigy prevents and diverts youth from going deeper into the juvenile justice system, which in turn saves the state money, improves communities and truly transforms young lives.” said Bradford. “Not only does Prodigy provide a safe place where youth can feel comfortable among peers, but it also delivers tools that assist them in making better decisions, establishing a connection to the community and an appreciation for others.”

Bradford extended an invitation to the delegation for Pasco County Prodigy’s upcoming annual showcase.  The showcase takes place from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the West Pasco Salvation Army, located at 7745 Ridge Road in Port Richey, FL. Three additional Pasco County Prodigy locations include the Runaway Alternative Project (RAP) House, Metropolitan Ministries and Career Central. 

Prodigy served 438 Pasco County, FL youth in the 2012-2013 grant year. The program reached a total of 3,204 youth in the same grant year through its seven-county region, which includes Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Polk, Pasco, Pinellas and Orange. Dollar for dollar, Prodigy is one of the lowest costs per youth programs in the state of Florida and has an 89 percent non-recidivism rate. 

Members of the Pasco County Legislative Delegation in attendance were Senators Wilton Simpson and John Legg as well as Representatives Will Weatherford, Richard Corcoran and Amanda Murphy. 

About ProdigyProdigy is a research‐based diversion, intervention, and prevention program that provides a safe arena where at-risk youth ages 7-17 learn communication, problem‐solving and conflict resolution skills through visual and performing arts. Prodigy currently serves more than 3,000 youth in seven West Central Florida counties and is operated by the UACDC in Tampa. For more information about Prodigy, please visit www.transformingyounglives.org.

About UACDCThe University Area Community Development Corporation, Inc. (UACDC) is a 501(c)(3) public/private partnership whose mission is children and family development, crime prevention, and commerce growth. Its primary focus is the redevelopment and sustainability of the at-risk areas surrounding the Tampa campus of the University of South Florida. The UACDC was named nonprofit of the year for public and societal benefit by the Tampa Bay Business Journal in 2011 and 2012. It is headquartered in the University Area Community Center Complex, owned by Hillsborough County and operated by the UACDC, which is located at 14013 North 22nd Street in Tampa. For more information about UACDC, please visit www.uacdc.org or call Dan Jurman at (813) 558-5212 ext. 208.Join UACDC’s Social Network:    http://www.facebook.com/UnivAreaCommunity
http://www.linkedin.com/company/university-area-community
https://twitter.com/UnivAreaComm
http://www.youtube.com/user/UnivAreaCommunity
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