By WMBD-TV

BLOOMINGTON – Following a groundbreaking ceremony last week, Project Oz has started construction for its expansion. The youth and family agency is adding 2,500 square feet of flexible space to its current West Bloomington location.

The expansion allows for a nutrition nook, laundry facilities, counseling, training, and technology services. Cheris Larson, Director of Youth Services said the expansion means Project Oz will provide more services for young people.

“Right now we’re at capacity. So, the spaces that we have for young people to come in are fairly small,” she said. “So, we’ll just have bigger spaces, flexible space. It’ll allow youth and their families to feel comfortable, to feel safe, to feel like they can access to any of the resources that they need.”

The agency still needs approximately 20 percent more funding to complete its $1.1 million project. Larson said donations are still welcome. Once the goal is reached additional funds will go to options the agency had to cut due to the cost of the project.

“We had to cut extra parking spaces as well as some of just the furnishing that we’re going to have to do once it’s all completed,” said “As well as refurbishing a current conference room space into additional counseling rooms.”

Project Oz has been serving the community since 1973.

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