Ellen Robertson profiles Margaret Judkins Simmons, who passed on July 8:
Using her retirement funds, Mrs. Simmons opened an after-school tutoring program in 1984 called The Minority Youth Appreciation Society Learning Center — there was no physical center, but she had plans to build one. Her effort included help with parenting skills for the children’s families and help with homework.
[…]
Around 1988, she purchased an old house in Church Hill with the intent to remodel it. A newspaper article about her efforts came to the attention of a local contractor who called offering assistance.
After seeing the house, he told her it should be demolished. He pledged to demolish it and offered financial and labor assistance to build a new building. The center, constructed at 1803 N. 28th St., was finished in 1992.
11 comments
Any idea who owns the building now?
Jenny Tremblay West liked this on Facebook.
The city’s property search is down right now (like it do), but I’ll try to remember to check later http://eservices.ci.richmond.va.us/applications/PropertySearch/
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Minority Youth Appreciation Society still owns it.
I wonder if CHAT could use it?
It is a nice looking building and is the last building at the end of the Woodville plat.
Thanks for some history behind it. I didn’t know exactly what it was. I’m sorry to hear of her passing.
I ELDER Edward Olivis want open the Building An her Name Pleas call me 804-437-7608 I have 44 years an the minisery I am a Real Man of GOD