Map of R. Randall Rollins Youth Center location
LIFT high school students
LIFT students in cooking class
LIFT students
LIFT, in conjunction the Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce, will be holding a Groundbreaking Ceremony for the R. Randall Rollins Youth Center at 1337 Battlefield Parkway in Fort Oglethorpe on Wednesday, July 24 at 10 a.m. The public is invited to attend and get a first look at what will be LIFT’s second location.
Officials said, "LIFT Youth Center, Inc. is a nonprofit that runs the Claudia Nance Rollins Youth Center located in Ringgold. LIFT is about to begin their fourth year providing free afterschool services for middle and high school students in Catoosa County.
They currently serve approximately 400 different students a year at their Ringgold location.
"LIFT has begun their Expansion Capital Campaign, LIFTing Catoosa, to raise funds for what will be a two-phase Expansion Project. We invite you to help double LIFT’s impact and remove barriers to afterschool programming for many additional Catoosa County students."
Catoosa County District 2 Commissioner Chuck Harris said, “We are so happy to see LIFT expand to provide resources to more Catoosa County youth. It has been exciting to watch as LIFT grows to bring their love, acceptance and care to a whole new group of young people in Ft. Oglethorpe.”
Officials said, "During the planning of LIFT’s Expansion Project, we surveyed 183 Catoosa County students and parents to get their feedback on the needs in our community. The survey showed that 62 percent of students are not engaged after school. Seventy-six percent said that 'Catoosa County students are in need of youth centers where additional support services are offered.'
"LIFT is thrilled to begin the renovation of the R. Randall Rollins Youth Center as Phase One of their Expansion Project.
"Over the course of the next year, LIFT will renovate the Fort O. facility by turning the existing building into an 8,600 square foot youth center. It will be equipped with classrooms, a game room, an indoor gym and more.
"Additionally, the Fort Oglethorpe site will have room for outdoor recreation as well as future expansion.
"The R. Randall Rollins Youth Center will be located a short half mile walk from Lakeview Fort Oglethorpe High School. LIFT has plans to add transportation services for students at this location to remove barriers for schools farther away."
LIFT Board of Directors Vice President John Francis said, “Our community has the opportunity to build stepping stones for our children and youth. LIFT has chosen to do that for hundreds of young people in the Ringgold area for the past few years. Now is the time to expand into Fort Oglethorpe so that many other young people can benefit from being loved and valued and accepted and inspired in order to discover and reach their own goals.”
Phase Two is planned to begin in the fall of 2025 and will include the expansion of LIFT’s current facility in Ringgold. The Claudia Nance Rollins Youth Center will expand with the addition of an indoor gym and additional classroom space.
"LIFT Youth Center's groundbreaking in Fort Oglethorpe on July 24 at 10 a.m. marks a transformative moment for our community. This new facility will provide essential resources and a safe haven for our youth, promoting their growth and development. Your attendance and support are vital to the success of this organization, highlighting our shared dedication to our children's future. The McKenzie Foundation proudly supports the LIFT Youth Center, believing in its mission to empower and develop the next generation. Join us in celebrating this milestone and become an investor in a brighter future for our youth." said, Johnny Smith, president, McKenzie Foundation.
Officials said, "The community is invited to contribute to LIFT’s Expansion Capital Campaign as every donation is important and helps LIFT achieve its mission of creating opportunities for students to be 'Loved as they are, Inspired to be more, Found in community, and Trusted to make a difference.' You can learn more about LIFT’s expansion efforts, donate or make a pledge on our website, www.LIFTyouthcenter.org. If you would like to receive updates throughout LIFT’s expansion efforts, please text LIFTNEWS to 844-763-1626. You can also follow LIFT Youth Center on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIN with the handle @LIFTYouthCenter."