Parc Center nears $10M goal after opening new children's facility

Lovese Purifoy's youngest grandson, A'mir, was once described as nonverbal. After enrolling in Parc Center for Disabilities' preschool and receiving speech, physical and occupational therapies, he began speaking, according to his grandmother.

"So, where we once were told he was non-verbal… he talks. And not only does he talk… he sings," Purifoy said in a profile published by Pinellas Community Foundation.

A'mir was born with tibial hemimelia, a rare condition affecting leg development, and uses a wheelchair. He attends Parc's Discovery Learning Center preschool, where his grandmother credits the services he receives with helping him make meaningful progress.

His story illustrates the role of the St. Petersburg-based nonprofit, which serves more than 800 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Pinellas County annually. Founded in 1953, Parc provides early intervention, inclusive preschool, therapies, supported employment, residential services and caregiver relief.

New children's center expands services

Parc dedicated the Tom & Mary James Children's Services Center in March 2026, with its opening scheduled for mid-April, as St. Pete Rising reported.

The 14,000-square-foot facility at 3151 73rd St. N. in St. Petersburg brings together the Discovery Learning Center preschool, Family Focus Early Intervention Services and Caregiver Relief Services.

Classrooms accommodate children ages 2 months to 5 years. The building features reading nooks, sensory walls, indoor playsets, a therapy room, a clinic, a full kitchen and three accessible outdoor playgrounds with ramps.

The center also provides space for weekend and summer camp programming, according to Parc's capital campaign page. The expanded facilities are intended to increase access to services, reduce waitlists and provide families with additional care options throughout the year.

$10 million campaign supports expansion

Parc launched its Raise the Roof! capital campaign in 2021 with a $10 million fundraising goal.

Tom and Mary James helped launch the effort with a $2 million donation. State Rep. Linda Chaney also helped secure $1.5 million in state funding in 2022, according to St. Pete Rising.

The campaign had raised approximately $8.2 million by March 2026, according to the publication. Parc's campaign website has also reported an $8.5 million fundraising total, although that figure has not been independently confirmed as the latest amount.

The campaign supports the new facility and expanded programming for children and families.

Caregiver support provides relief for families

Parc received a 2026–2027 operating grant from Pinellas Community Foundation (PCF), according to the foundation. The grant amount was not disclosed in its profile.

Separately, funding through PCF/Senior Citizens Services supports Parc's Kinship Care program, which has provided respite services for Purifoy.

A working grandmother raising three young grandsons with disabilities, Purifoy also cares for her husband of 30 years, who is living with dementia.

Through Parc, she has received financial assistance, summer camp scholarships for her older grandsons and access to caregiver support groups. The organization is also working with Wheelchairs 4 Kids to help obtain a wheelchair lift for the family's vehicle.

"Something as simple as having a caregiver for a few hours… gave me the ability to rest, to breathe, to reset," Purifoy said in the foundation's profile.

Parc also announced a $50,000, two-year grant in June 2026 to support its Caregiver Relief Services program.