Guardian Angel Settlement Association (GASA) requested these funds to support the development of a new Social Services Center at 3300 South Jefferson in the Benton Park neighborhood. The total project costs are estimated at $3.5 million and, upon completion, the property will transform from a blighted, unused building into a valuable and vibrant community resource. The new Center will significantly expand the capacity of their programming, resulting in an increase in the number of clients served from approximately 2,000 people per year currently to over 3,000 people per year, once the project is completed. The 18,000 square foot building, formerly a Schnucks Market, and more recently a Hood’s Discount Home Center, sits on one acre of land with large parking lots located at both the north and south entrances of the building.