PIQUA – The Piqua Compassion Network celebrated their groundbreaking ceremony for the Power Project on Thursday, Oct. 27, at the Mote Park community building.

The groundbreaking ceremony is to celebrate the upcoming renovations the building will undergo to become the Power Project, which ” will provide teens access to basic needs resources and use fitness and education to give teens power over their physical, mental and social health,” according to a press release.

During the ceremony, several individuals who have been involved with the project spoke. Rebecca Sousek, executive director of the Piqua Compassion Network, thanked everyone for attending.

“I’m excited to get this project up and going. We have a lot of inside remodeling to do,” said Sousek.

Volunteers Chloe Clark and Caleb Patton spoke.

“I want to thank everyone for coming and showing support and for supporting us throughout this whole project,” said Clark.

Michelle Perry, executive director of The Piqua Community Foundation, spoke next and said, “Today, we are seeing those initial impacts. The community’s buy-in exemplifies the need for juveniles in our community.”

City of Piqua’s Director of the Health and Sanitation Amy Welker discussed the Mote Park community building. Welker said the building is “currently underutilized.”

“We need our young folks coming back and giving back to our community,” said Welker.

Sousek finished the ceremony stating, “We’re honoring past generations, the existent generations, and future generations.”

The Piqua Compassion Network received $50,000 from the Piqua Community Foundation’s Pitch Piqua grant competition for the creation of the Power Project. Executive Director Rebecca Sousek and volunteers Chloe Clark and Caleb Patton have been working to get the project started.

Recently, the Power Project received approval to lease the Mote Park community building at a Piqua City Commission Meeting.

The Power Project is set to be open beginning in 2023.