Frederick Douglass Community Association

Learn more about the Frederick Douglass Community Association.

History:

The Frederick Douglass Community Association was founded in 1919 when the late Albertus Brown, lawyer and civic leader, was inspired by the dire need for social and recreational opportunities for the African-American youth of Toledo. From a small group of 25 enthusiastic and loyal people emerged a movement that raised $1,200 for equipment and operating expenses. The following year, the Toledo War Chest (now United Way of Greater Toledo) allotted $2,400 to support the movement. In 1921, the organization moved to a church at 15 North Eleventh. The name was changed to the Frederick Douglass Community Center and a basketball court and other activities were installed. In 1925, $20,000 was used to purchase a property on the corner of Pinewood and 13th Street. In April, 1926 the name was changed to the Frederick Douglass Community Association (FDCA). The Center had become a way of life in Toledo with the cooperation from both races. In 1979, the FDCA moved to its current location in the James B. Simmons, Jr. Neighborhood Facilities Building at 1001 Indiana Avenue, Toledo, Ohio 43607 where it continued to offer social and recreational activities for the youth of Toledo.

In January of 2012, the newly restructured Board of Directors took on the formidable task of “Renewing the Relevancy” of the FDCA and making it the “Epicenter of Hope and Empowerment” for the community that it serves. While recreation continued to be a core component of the programs offered, the board recognized that targeted educational and specialized skill development programs around emerging green technologies is one of the mechanisms to bring empowerment and hope back to the community. In the first quarter of 2012, the board of directors announced the launch of several critical inaugural programs including Parent University, Solar Academy, Technology Empowerment Series and the FDCA Community Garden Initiative.

It is the vision of the board and staff that the FDCA will become an emerging technology hub for the City of Toledo by providing education on the green economy and the related technologies while offering hands-on technical and practical application training for the urban community. It is the goal of the FDCA to Bridge the Green and Technology divide by providing historically under represented populations access to the knowledge, skills, tools and opportunities necessary to succeed in the 21st Century and beyond.

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Location:
Frederick Douglass Community Association
1001 Indiana Ave.
Toledo, OH 43607
419-244-6722

Hours of Operation:
Mon., Tues., Thurs, & Fri 8:30a.m-6:00p.m.
Wednesday 7:30a.m.-7:00p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Sunday Closed

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