Plans for Scotland Neck Boys and Girls Club aims to target youth crime

Yolanda Evans has had a dream of transforming an empty building on Main Street in Scotland Neck since she purchased it four years ago.

Evans is now working toward starting a Scotland Neck Boys and Girls Club in the space to help improve the quality of life for youth in the region.

"The inside of the building is awesome as it is, but I have a vision,” Evans said.

Evans said she originally purchased the building as a spot to park her food truck in town.

"I’ve been parking here, but I knew there was more potential for the building,” Evans said.

Evans said she noticed a lack of activities for young people to get involved in.

"The first thing I look at when I move into any town is what [does it] have for youth? I noticed that there was no Boys and Girls Club. There wasn’t any area for youth,” Evans said.

Evans is now working with local leaders to transform the 9,100-square-foot building into an area with basketball courts, media centers, classrooms, and more.

"Scotland Neck needs it,” Evans said.

Mayor Eddie Braxton said the addition of the Boys and Girls Club could help change the trend of youth crime in Scotland Neck.

"There is a tremendous need in Scotland Neck. Kids have very little to do when they get out of school,” Mayor Braxton said.

The Scotland Neck Police Department said about one in three crimes in town involve a person under 18.

“The rise in juvenile crime has put a considerable strain on our law enforcement agency and agencies across the state,” Police Chief Tommy Parker told WRAL in a statement.

WRAL reported in November the town declared a state of emergency and a temporary nightly curfew after back-to-back shootings involving teens. Mayor Braxton said he supports any development that focuses on kids, but the town is not in a position to fund the project.

Evans said she can’t fund the project on her own. She said the renovation of the building alone is expected to cost $800,000. The building is in need of many repairs.

Evans is working with a team to find grants and other funding opportunities.

"We are pleading to our community to help us make that happen,” Evans said.

Evans is asking for donations from the community. You can donate to her GoFundMe here.