About The Kings Center
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
The Kings Center Story
The Kings Center was the brainchild of Randy Bacon who purchased an old grocery store building at the corner of 2nd and Logan Streets in South Frankfort. While rehabbing it, he noticed many children in the neighborhood with no supervision. He had a vision to provide a SAFE HAVEN in the potentially dangerous neighborhood that had a reputation for drug activity and a high crime rate at that time. This vision inspired the formation in 1999 of Faith United, Inc. a faith based, 501(c) (3) organization which operates under the name of the Kings Center in honor of Christ the King, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Peggy King, an LRC employee who was tragically murdered in the early 1990’s.
Most of the children who attend are considered “latchkey” children, ages 6 through 16, who would likely be unsupervised after school. Some have experienced the trauma of parent incarceration, family substance abuse, and domestic violence. Approximately 84% of the children served are minorities. Children attend the Kings Center free of charge.
Thus, the Kings Center became a safety net for children after school and during breaks, but it is so much more than that! The staff of the Kings Center is always looking for new and innovative ways to keep our youth engaged in activities that will strengthen their sense of cultural identity, academic success, physical/emotional wellbeing, and artistic expression.
A description of the Center would not be complete without mention of The City of Angels Program. In this program, children are paired with a “Secret Angel,” an anonymous adult in the community. “Angels” send their child cards and letters monthly and on special occasions, make donations toward purchase of school supplies and Christmas gifts and host an annual Christmas Party. We know that the program gives emotional support and encouragement by showing the children that there are nurturing individuals in the community who care for them. The children and their “Angel” finally meet one another when the child graduates from high school. At this time the Kings Center Board gives each child a monetary reward to acknowledge this achievement.
For thirty years, the Kings Center has provided life skills activities/development, field trips, mentoring, homework assistance, holiday awareness/assistance as well as recreational and arts experiences that enrich the lives of the children we serve. We have been able to do this because the Center is blessed with the support of numerous churches, our local governments and businesses, the United Way of the Bluegrass, Kosair Charities, and many, many kind and caring individuals.
Our Supporters
