Mary and Frances Youth Center

The construction of the Mary and Frances Youth Center has been made possible by a private gift from Michael Fraizer, Chairman and CEO of Genworth Financial Inc., and his wife, Elizabeth. The Youth Center boasts two private tennis courts for Lobs & Lessons program participants, two classrooms, a seminar room, and administrative office space. The facility is located on the Monroe Park campus of VCU and allows the Lobs & Lessons participants to come to a college campus and be exposed to a university setting. The participants spend time through the Lobs & Lessons curriculum learning about higher education and spend time with college students who volunteer with the program after school and in the summer.

On September 28, 2007, the Mary & Frances Youth Center officially opened and was named in honor of the Fraizers' mothers who were both active in youth and education programs. 

In addition to Lobs & Lessons, TheCollegePlace-Richmond also has space in the building. This program is one of three college information centers established by the ECMC Foundation with the mission of increasing postsecondary educational access among underserved populations. Students and their families are provided with comprehensive services that include individualized counseling, workshops, assistance with admissions and financial aid, and internet access for collegiate research. All services are free.

The Nonprofit Learning Point program holds classes daily in the Mary and Frances Youth Center. Nonprofit Learning Point is an educational program that provides professional development opportunities for the vast network of nonprofit employees and volunteers in Richmond. The program has provided more than 5,000 people with high quality relevant and affordable courses, conferences and seminars and is funded by corporate giving and local foundations.