Programs
At the Community Revitalization Alliance, Inc. (CReA), our programs are designed to empower residents, enhance neighborhood vitality, and foster sustainable growth. Guided by a holistic, place-based approach, we address the interconnected challenges of housing, education, wellness, and economic opportunity. By collaborating with residents, local leaders, and strategic partners, CReA’s initiatives are tailored to meet the unique needs of each community we serve, ensuring that every program creates lasting, meaningful impact. Explore how our efforts are transforming neighborhoods and building a brighter future for all.
1. Hard Work Pays Off Program at the Evans Center – Club Esteem, METCA, and Community Revitalization Alliance, Inc. (CReA) is excited to announce our collaborative partnership with the City of Palm Bay to provide, free of charge, career and technical workforce and career readiness training to at-risk youth and young adults under our Hard Work Pays Off program.
We are reopening the Center as a dynamic home for youth workforce training and career readiness, entrepreneurship, community wellness and resident empowerment. Through careful planning, relationship-building, and accountability, this hub will be revived to provide pathways to opportunities. This work is deeply personal to us. We are not simply running programs, we are reigniting a legacy of community strength and ensuring that every resident, especially our youth, knows they are seen, valued, and equipped to thrive.
In addition to workforce training in the approximately 2,000 sq ft community room, the room will be available for rent during off-hours, for community events such as Bingo nights, meetings, workshops, and family gatherings—at a reasonable cost. Membership packages may also include access to the kitchen or catering services, depending on availability.
CReA serves as the "sustainability partner" in the collaborative partnership with Club Esteem & METCA. We have the primary responsibility to ensure that all operational costs are covered by mission-aligned services.
We have asked residents and community-based organizations to provide input to help us determine the best use for an additional 3,000 sq ft of space at the Evans Center. Please complete the survey by CLICK HERE .
2. Property Owner Venture Ready Program - Program prepares property owners in Historic South Melbourne for investments.
Property owners in Historic South Melbourne are provided with tools to bring their land development or renovation projects to life. Through application development workshops, business plan development trainings, and consultations with our funding partners, property owners build capacity to succeed with major renovations of their properties but also creating access to valuable resources that contribute to the growth and prosperity of historic South Melbourne and its residents.
Current condition After proposed renovation
Additional Property Owner Venture Ready Program Clients:
University Boxing Club Renovation - Expanded to Men's Health & Wellness Club
Teddy's Convenience Store Renovation
Historic American Legion Post 191 Renovation
Master's Workshop Renovation
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3. Historic Preservation work in partnership with the City of Melbourne Historical and Architectural Review Board (HARB):
Resident's led the historic preservation work in Historic South Melbourne (HiSoMe) to identify, preserve, and highlight the historical significance and contributions of African Americans in the founding of Crane Creek, now known as Melbourne, Florida.
As part of our Heritage Tourism strategy, HARB was asked to survey properties, and for the first time, the City of Melbourne recognized the significance of its historical resources in South Melbourne and added 14 new yellow pins to it's Historic Resources Map (see below). Two of the properties, the Line Street Cemetery and the home of one of Melbourne's founding fathers, Wright Brothers' House which served as the first church in Melbourne, may be eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.
Wright Brothers' House has been converted to the first museum in Historic South Melbourne, Melbourne Founders Museum At Crane Creek, a project of Greater Allen Development Corporation made possible by a grant from Northrop Grumman. For more information, CLICK HERE . The Line Street Cemetery, serves as the final resting place of two of Melbourne’s founding fathers, Peter Wright and Balaam Allen. With support letters provided by CReA's, its Advisory Council and collaborating organizations, the City of Melbourne's HARB was able to secure State funding through the African American Cemeteries Grant, to conduct ground-penetrating radar surveys at the Line Street Cemetery with remarkable results. Plans are to create an outdoor history exhibit, a curated space showcasing historical photographs and narratives.
We continue to collaborate with residents and the City of Melbourne’s Historic and Architectural Review Board to achieve the goal of having the Melbourne Founders Museum at Crane Creek and Line Street Cemetery listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Above Photo provided by City of Melbourne's Historic and Architectural Review Board
The above photo, Melbourne Founders' Monument, is a project of the Concerned Citizens Committee of South Brevard. "The monument honors the three men, Peter Wright, Wright Brothers, and Balaam Allen (and their wives) who were the first settlers in the City of Crane Creek, now known as Melbourne, Florida. As freed men, they supported the establishment of the area by becoming the first sailing mailman (Peter Wright), the first farmer (Wright Brothers), and the first preacher of the first church the Greater Allen Chapel AME Church (Ballam Allen)". For more information, Click Here
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4. Community Asset Mapping & Data Mining:
To inform strategic planning, CReA continues to conduct extensive community asset mapping and data mining. This effort includes gathering data on human capital, housing conditions, health outcomes, healthcare facilities, existing and new businesses, service organizations, cultural assets, and K-12 educational achievement. These insights provide a clear picture of the community’s strengths and challenges, enabling data-driven decision-making.
