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PROCLAMATION <br />RECOGNIZING THE RIBBON -CUTTING CEREMONY FOR THE EXPANSION OF <br />THE GIFFORD YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT CENTER <br />WHEREAS, the Gifford Youth Achievement Center has been serving the community since 1998, <br />providing the tools to ensure that every child who walks through its doors has a chance to graduate from <br />high school and choose a life rooted in stability and joy; and <br />WHEREAS, since GYAC began offering after-school and summer academic programming, the high <br />school graduation rate of African-American students in Indian River County has increased from 51 percent <br />to well over 80 percent and is rising each year; and <br />WHEREAS, GYAC has been so instrumental in increasing those rates that its Board of Directors felt it <br />imperative to build additional space to provide programs for students on their waiting list; and <br />WHEREAS, GYAC began the $7.4 million Dream Weaver Capital Campaign to build a new 14,000 <br />square foot expansion building with the help of its Board, benefactors, and community supporters; and <br />WHEREAS, GYAC achieved great success via dozens of generous donors, totaling $6.5 million; and <br />WHEREAS, donors have continued to support GYAC in creating an endowment fund that will protect <br />the community's investment in GYAC and ensure its programming will continue for years to come; and <br />WHEREAS, an expansion project groundbreaking took place on June 28, 2018, and -- with expedited <br />efforts from the architectural and construction firms -- has been completed in under a year, with the public <br />Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on May 15, 2019; and <br />WHEREAS, GYAC guarantees a return on investment by continuing to raise graduation rates and <br />teach its students the lessons of perseverance, respect, strength, and self-confidence. <br />NOW, THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF <br />INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, does hereby recognize and laud the opening of the new Gifford <br />Youth Achievement Center Expansion Building, and wish the staff continued success in their remarkable <br />efforts. <br />Adopted this 21st day of May, 2019. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, <br />INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA <br />Bob Solari, Chairman <br />Susan Adams, Vice Chairman <br />Peter D. O'Bryan <br />Joseph E. Flescher <br />Tim Zorc <br />2 <br />