HD Youth Center getting new Cedar Rapids home

Henry Davison's quest for a new home for the neighborhood youth center he started 12 years ago has taken a big step forward.

“The check is already cashed, and the taxes are taken care of,” Davison said this morning as he stood in the former Sno-White Coin Laundry, 1445 Mt. Vernon Rd. SE.

Flooded out of its rented storefront at 1006 Third St. SE in June 2008, the HD Youth Center's operations have been limited to morning breakfast served at the Jane Boyd Community House. Davison's purchase of the laundromat, closed the past few years will enable him to again offer an evening meal and before- and after-school programs for the neighborhood's children.

But first, Davison and contractor Dan Olmstead must convert the building.

“Finally, he's got a home that's theirs,” said Olmstead, president of Olmstead Construction.

Olmstead is organizing volunteer labor and materials to convert the 2,680-square-foot space from washers and dryers to a kitchen, computer lab, and areas for games, schoolwork, and other activities.

To meet Davison's goal of moving into the building in 90 days, he and Olmstead have launched a fundraising campaign. Checks may be mailed to HD Youth Center, PO Box 74273, Cedar Rapids IA 52407. More information is available from Davison, at (319)329-8841, and Olmstead, at (319)362-4234.

Davison hopes the purchase of a new home will improve fundraising for the youth center's recovery.

“What we need to do now is start begging for money,” he said.