TAMPA, Fla. — A $2 million investment is opening the doors to more families and students in Hillsborough County who rely on the Family Community Center. Funding secured through U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor’s community project funding request will help support the center’s expansion and provide new equipment.
The center is all about students helping students, and tutoring programs are helping them succeed.
“I just love helping the kids learn new things that they may be struggling in or they might know yet,” said Janziel Echevarria, a seventh grader at Pierce Middle School who recently became a tutor.
Janziel says it’s important work because he knows not all students learn the same.
“Some kids they didn’t get to grow up with this and didn’t get all this help that they need,” he said.
Officials say that’s the case for many students who immigrate to Florida.
Liuabaneusk Diaz and her daughter moved to Florida three years ago from Cuba. She says if it weren’t for the center, she’d still be struggling.
“I didn’t dare speak with any of the teachers because I didn’t know how to do it, but the center empowered me,” she said.
The center will now be able to serve even more students and families, thanks to the new federal investment.
Officials say the funding will be used to expand tutoring services and digital literacy programs, including purchasing new equipment to help.
School leaders say it will also be an investment to help parents.
“As they come, then they can have opportunities to maybe learn and get a certification in a trade,” said the district’s Multilingual Learners director, Melissa Morgad. “Perhaps even get some help with hiring here if they’re interested in positions here in Hillsborough County.”
Since the center opened in 2024, it’s served families with more than 4,000 services.
Adriana Melo says it even helped her land a job.
“They guided me to prepare all of my documents to eventually work at a school here in the district,” Melo said.
Janziel says the goal is to make a difference in students’ lives.
“It makes me happy seeing how much they progressed since we first started tutoring them,” Janziel said.
School leaders hope this center will continue to serve as a hub for all things education.
The school district hopes to offer tutoring every day instead of just three days a week. If you or your student may need help the center offers help in both English and Spanish.