East Madison Community Center begins makeover

The East Madison Community Center (EMCC) has been serving families and locals for generations. Now, they are on the receiving end of help.

The national program, "Design for a Difference," selected EMCC as it's 2018 receipt. The national program partners with local FLOOR360. Demolition began on Monday. FLOOR360 has been planning this project for months.

"It is just great to see them appreciate it and feel the appreciation that they should feel because they give so much back to the community every day,“ FLOOR360's Angela Skalitzky said.

Skalitzky is one of the dozens of volunteers giving their time to this project the next two weeks. As the renovation is heading full speed ahead, the EMCC has programs temporarily housed in a nearby facility.

Tom Moen, the Executive Director of EMCC, has been working there for more than 40 years. He said this redesign is much needed as the facility hasn't been updated in 30 to 40 years.

Moen said EMCC serves about 5,000 people a year, most of them low-income kids and families.

"We do everything from recreation, nutrition, cultural, science - It's very holistic," said Moen.

Design for Difference Madison is made possible thanks to organizations and designers that donate their time, talents, and good to complete makeover local nonprofits. This is the fourth year for the event.

In 2017, the "Design for a Difference" recipient was Centro Hispano.