AVA exists to educate, empower and enhance the quality of life for individuals that will promote self-sufficiency, financial stability, and economic development. We provide supervision and guidance to many of the disadvantaged and deprived youth within the local vicinity.

In addition, we aid in eradicating racial and ethnic disparities with a focus on disease prevention, social and environmental factors that affect health and wellness. We are also a business incubator designed to instill a higher degree of education relating to skill-building and employment cross-training; design and implement programs that will empower disadvantaged individuals, organizations and small businesses in order to lead them toward a path of financial stability and self-sufficiency.

In 2016, SCLC chose Toriano Parker and Advantage Village Academy to bring a fresh direction to the historic St. Petersburg event, ensuring it would continue to celebrate the vision of Dr. King with a new generation. On Jan. 16, 2017, Advantage Village Academy (AVA) hosted the rebranded 32nd Annual MLK Dream Big Parade and introduced a brand new route running West along 1st Avenue South starting at 3rd Street – as well as launching the inaugural MLK Dream Big Family Funday Festival at Tropicana Field. Conceived to bring parents, children, caregivers, and youth together with community organizations and presenters, FAMILY FUN DAY expands St. Pete’s celebration of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National holiday through hands-on play, learning, and workshops.

AVA is seeking funding and community partners to help expand and build out its new 14,000 square foot facility. This spacious building, previously a Walgreens -- is located at 945 62nd Avenue S. on the Southside, offers ample parking is an ideal location for a wide range of mentoring programs, community fundraising events, local performances, organizational gatherings, and small business incubation.

AVA entered into the real estate deal in an effort to expand on the opportunities for the local organizations, church groups, and community activities. With more space, AVA is looking forward to expanding its commitment toward eradicating racial and ethnic disparities and invigorate the social, environmental, and financial production of the organizations and individuals that are the life blood of the Southside community.

As an active business incubator within the community, AVA look forward to leveraging these new facilities expand vocational education, provide next-generation technology training and skill-building, and act as a catalyst for the development of programs specifically designed to empower disadvantaged individuals, organizations and small businesses in the are in an effort to lead them toward a path of financial stability and self-sufficiency.

For more information about this exciting new facility, please contact the AVA's community expansion team at (727) 321-7919 or send us an email at expansion@advanatgevillageacademy.org.