All are invited as The Carter Foundation marks the fourth anniversary of its Youth Academy on Eight Street on Sunday with food and fun.

 

James Carter, founder of The Carter Foundation, said the event, which starts at 3 p.m., is all about giving back and supporting Meridian’s youth, which is what the foundation works to do every day. On the list of activities will be food, bounce houses, games, obstacle courses, door prizes and more, he said.

 

“It’s not so much about what we’re giving away. It’s all about the fellowship,” he said. “And we want to show the youth of our city that they are appreciated. So we just want the community to come out and support the youth.”

 

The Carter Foundation was created to provide local youth with the support they were missing, Carter said, and has continued to grow throughout its 11 years. Started with the mission to “inspire youth and bring unity,” he said the foundation initially held community events and rented space as needed.

 

Four years ago, the foundation was able to rent the Eighth Street location for its Youth Academy from the city of Meridian and invest in restoring it to usable condition. With local youth providing much of the labor themselves, the foundation established its home, Carter said.

 

“The youth, they came in, they did all the work, the painting, the patching sheetrock, everything we put in the work, the youth did,” he said.

 

With a home to work from, Carter said the foundation was able to grow and now includes Big Brother and Big Sister mentorship programs, academic mentorship, scholarship opportunities, career development, financial literacy, health and wellness, leadership development and more.

 

A recent action by the Meridian City Council made sure that work will continue, Carter said, after council members voted to turn the building over to The Carter Foundation permanently.

 

“That is something major, so we want to celebrate in a big way,” he said. “And we just want the community to come out.”

 

There are several organizations and groups working with Meridian’s youth, Carter said, and there is a need for even more still. For those looking to get involved, The Carter Foundation is always looking for volunteers. Residents can learn more by visiting The Carter Foundation’s Facebook page or by calling 601-207-5177.