City Furniture Creates, Furnishes Hangout for School

November 19, 2015  by in Community / Charitable Support, Industry   

From bubblegum-pink walls to kid-sized furniture and cozy touches, the big reveal quickly made the second- through fifth-graders feel right at home. As second grader Darnise Willis summed it up, “Our room is full of life, full of love and full of happiness.”

Created by City Furniture’s volunteer labor and donation of furniture and materials, the double-room makeover at the school sets the stage for transformational change. Challenged by low attendance, behavior and suspension issues, as well a failing school grade, the school is making crucial, positive strides under the direction of its principal Dr. Cynthia Hannah. The not-for-profit Embrace Girls Foundation began bringing the school a day-program last year and launched its daily Embrace Girl Power! After School program this fall, providing help with homework, plus tutorial assistance and social and life skills training for girls in the program, at no cost to parents of the participating students.

Planned for 25 girls, the program’s enrollment grew to 50 plus a waiting list. Funding for Embrace Girls’ programs is from Miami Dade County Schools and grants, but the challenge of fully refurbishing a double room within the school meant finding a sponsor, according to Embrace Girls Foundation founder and CEO Velma Lawrence.

City Furniture stepped forward with a passion for the project. Robert Ruiz, City Furniture’s vice president of store design and environment, walked into the drab, aging space and saw the potential to create a unique, imaginative place where girls could thrive. With special meaning for the entire company, the project was dedicated in honor of Doreen Gail Koenig, City Furniture President and CEO Keith Koenig’s wife, who died this year after a lengthy battle with breast cancer.

“This was such an amazing opportunity, right in line with our firm’s mission – to enrich people’s lives and make the world a better place,” Ruiz said. “Meeting the girls and seeing the power of the Embrace Girls program to change their lives, we knew this effort had to be over-the-top.”

The City Furniture volunteer crew handled all the floor-to-ceiling renovation work. In addition to creating and furnishing the clubhouse, the company refurbished the teachers’ lounge and added other improvements at the school. Molina Healthcare, which also sponsors pep rallies, healthcare workshops and screenings for Embrace Girls Foundation members and Arcola Lake Elementary School students and families, co-sponsored the classroom transformation.

“I’ve seen a huge difference in the girls participating in the program,” Hannah said. “They’re gaining a strong foundation that enables them to see themselves in a more positive light – to know that they can and will achieve and be great in the future.” Thanking Velma Lawrence, City Furniture and Molina Healthcare for their vision and commitment, she added, “Their caring and focus on excellence in this project are a breath of fresh air. The changes are already proving positive for our students and teachers -- and parents of girls in the program are really stepping up their involvement in the school.”

Joining Dr. Hannah and Velma Lawrence at the dedication event were Miami Dade School Board Member Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall, City Furniture’s Keith Koenig and the company’s senior executives and volunteer project team,  Molina Healthcare team including Steve Snider, Director of Community Engagement and  Marisol Velez, Manager of Community Engagement  and community business guests.

The Embrace Girls Foundation’s clubhouse at Arcola Lake Elementary School is the latest project of CityCares, the philanthropic arm of City Furniture. With more than 1,100 associates, 15 City Furniture and 11 Ashley Furniture HomeStore locations throughout Southeast, Southwest and Central Florida, the furniture retailer is actively involved in all the communities it serves.