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| Elizabeth Virrick |
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Founded in 1948 by Elizabeth Virrick and Father Theodore Gibson to fight social injustice, Coconut Grove Cares (CGC) has a legacy of fighting social injustice in West Coconut Grove. Originally created as a Slum Clearance Project, Coconut Grove Cares evolved as the community’s needs evolved--from civil rights in the 60s and ex-offenders programs in the 70s, to today’s Barnyard. Opened in 1983, the Barnyard Community Center is a safe, supervised place for neighborhood children. Through The Barnyard, Coconut Grove Cares offers free After-School and Summer Programs to children ages 5-13. The Barnyard is an alternative to the streets and the crippling realities of unemployment, poverty, violence, teenage pregnancy, and drugs--which are now exacerbated by the relentless pressure of gentrification. |
