Former Library Building Repurposed as Head Start Home

Many young people learned a lot by visiting the Helen Matthes Library during its almost 60 years of existence. 

Now, young people will again be using the facility and will again be learning a lot.

A ribbon cutting ceremony took place Wednesday during the unveiling of the repurposed library building at 4th and Market as the new home for the CEFS Head Start program for those five and younger.

The transition from former library building to educational building was facilitated by Community Opportunities, a not-for-profit entity that acquired the building and then helped make it available to Head Start. Paul White of Community Opportunities served as Master of Ceremonies at the ribbon cutting. White said the building has always been a jewel, but had been in a bit of a jewel box for the past five years. He said an extensive renovation project to the interior has restored the building from a "diamond in the rough" to an "exquisite facility". 

(ONE OF THE CLASSROOMS AT THE NEW HEAD START FACILITY)

CEFS CEO Kevin Bushur said the renovation was enhanced with solar panels on the roof meaning the facility will be completed powered by solar energy. Our Greg Sapp spoke with Bushur following the ribbon cutting...

Many entities were credited with seeing the project to completion including the City of Effingham, Crossroads Bank, Utz and Associates Architects and Heritage Builders. The Effingham County Chamber of Commerce oversaw the ribbon cutting ceremony.

School starts in August.