Help Restore O.R. Pope Elementary for Community Growth

Revitalizing O.R. Pope Elementary: A Community-Centered Transformation

The historic O.R. Pope Elementary School has been a cornerstone of the Rocky Mount community for generations. Since its closure in 2015, the building has remained vacant, a symbol of lost opportunities in a neighborhood that now faces critical shortages in early childhood education and community resources.We are on a mission to change that.

With over eight years of experience providing high-quality early childhood education, Victory Learning Academy, INC. has become a trusted name in Rocky Mount, offering 5-star care to young scholars. Now, we are expanding our impact with the launch of Victory Learning Academy II, which will be housed in this historic facility. This expansion will allow us to bring our proven early education model to an area that desperately needs childcare resources, ensuring more families have access to the foundational learning and care their children deserve.

This transformation goes beyond just a childcare center. The 60,000-square-foot facility will also serve as a training center, community resource hub, event space, and the future home of JG Do Me a Favor Foundation, Save a Life, and other initiatives dedicated to uplifting the community.

However, before this vision can come to life, we must raise funds to complete essential renovations to meet state licensing requirements. The most urgent need is the installation of a minimum kitchen, which is required for us to open the licensed childcare center. The cost of this kitchen—including all necessary architectural work to meet code—is approximately $70,000. All remaining funds raised will be used to cover unexpected contingencies during construction, required lead mitigation work, constructing required safe playground space, and essential working capital to sustain mortgage and utility payments while renovations are underway.

Additionally, lead mitigation and safety upgrades must be completed to ensure the building meets health and safety standards for young children. While the facility includes a cafeteria, a past storm caused extensive damage to the cafeteria and gymnasium roof, which was never repaired prior to our purchase. Due to the severity of the damage, that section of the building requires complete mold abatement and structural repairs before it can be utilized.

The Rocky Mount community is eager to see this historic landmark revitalized, not just as a childcare center but as a thriving space that serves children, families, and the arts. In addition to education, we plan to launch dance and arts programs for both children and adults, ensuring this facility becomes a place of learning, creativity, and community engagement for generations to come.

We need your support to bring this dream to life. Every dollar raised will directly contribute to rebuilding this space into a safe, nurturing, and impactful center for the families of Rocky Mount.

Join us in restoring O.R. Pope Elementary, launching Victory Learning Academy II, and creating a future of possibilities for our children and community.