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Jacksonville neighbors repair damaged home for new youth community center

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Northwest Jacksonville neighborhood along Ken Knight Drive continues to see the effects of Hurricane Irma two years after it hit Northeast Florida. As one of the final pieces, neighbors have come together to fix a damaged home and give it new purpose for neighborhood children.

A rundown, single-family house along Ken Knight Drive was flooded from Hurricane Irma. A local man bought the property and donated it to the neighborhood as a new youth center.

He has had the help of neighbors to make repairs. The house is currently under construction.

“Now we’re in the process of trying to get something for the kids,” Volunteer Paula Campbell said. “This may not be the best spot but to help our children so they won’t be out here in the streets where everything is going on.”

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Action News Jax has reported on 13 shootings involving children in the past six months, six were deadly.

The center is designed as a safe place for children. It will provide educational and enrichment activities, as well as, offer resources for adults. Volunteers can also organize a mobile food pantry there once a month.

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