Tempe is ready to officially unveil the newest jewel in its crown of community centers, the Tempe EnVision Center. Commencing on Wednesday, September 18, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., the grand opening celebration promises to be a significant milestone for local residents seeking comprehensive resources. Located at 1310 E. Apache Blvd., the center aims to swiftly become a vital hub for community engagement and personal development.
Among an amount of services, the facility will offer support for employment, education, and provide critical access to technology. Additionally, health and wellness resources will be available to aid in emergency preparedness, and various local food programs are set to be featured. The Tempe EnVision Center is also prepped to eventually harness solar power and battery storage, to not just serve but to also practically demonstrate sustainable living practices.
"Tempe EnVision is an exciting new addition to our community center family," Mayor Corey Woods told attendees in a statement obtained by the City of Tempe’s news announcement. He further detailed his confidence in the center’s impact, “The offerings available here are going to make a big difference for so many in the community.”
One of the standout attractions within the new center is The Hive, a tech-centered space developed by IDIA (The Institute for Digital Inclusion Acceleration). The Hive is to actively provide free technology access and host an array of free workshops, camps, and classes aimed to sharpen digital skills across the community. “We are thrilled to bring The Hive concept to Tempe, and excited to meet the Tempe community,” Dr. Erin Carr-Jordan, President and CEO of IDIA, expressed in a statement on the city's website. The Hive is the largest in IDIA’s network, pioneering with its standalone telehealth room.
The center comes equipped with quite the tech repertoire, like facilities for telehealth appointments, podcast creation, VR experiences, 3D printing, and much more. A beverage and snack concession stand promises to offer refreshments, while a multilingual staff ensures inclusive assistance for all patrons. Moreover, artificial intelligence-powered instant translation services will grant access in over 200 dialects, underscoring the center's commitment to accessibility.
In alignment with its aim to holistically develop the community, the opening event will also mark the ground-breaking of "Boundless Opportunity," a forthcoming artwork commissioned by the city from local artist Paige Reesor. Scheduled for completion in the winter, the piece is to metaphorically reflect Tempe’s Mill Avenue Bridge and pathways as a symbol of personal growth and exploration.
The grand opening will also offer a snapshot of the center's full potential, with activities that include a giveaway of pots and seeds from Tempe’s Sustainability and Resilience division as part of the Grow Local Tempe initiative. The division will also be gathering community thoughts on emergency preparedness workshops while sharing resources to help locals better respond to emergencies.
The event is also about partnership and support, with attendees having the chance to connect with various nonprofit organizations to learn more about additional resources within the community. Also, there will be a raffle gift cards.
With an invitation extended to every community member and the promise of light refreshments, the Grand Opening Celebration of the Tempe EnVision Center is set to open its doors wide to all who seek to benefit from its multifaceted offerings. This community project is the result of combined efforts by the City of Tempe’s Community Health and Human Services Department and Sustainability and Resilience Division. For anyone interested in learning more, the details are available at tempe.gov/TempeEnvision.
