Now retired Officer Barton’s work in the community didn’t go unnoticed. In 1990 four concerned and spirited business people decided to help Officer Barton with his limited resources and Barton’s Boosters, Inc. was officially formed. Since its beginning, the work Officer Barton started years before has grown to help more people not only in Boca Raton but the entire South County area as well.

Barton’s Boosters felt that the children of the Dixie Manor and Pearl City had very few choices in life. The more we did for the families, the more choices the children would have over their futures and career paths. In 1991 we began collecting canned goods and non-perishables for Thanksgiving. The food was then distributed to the needy families in the community. During Christmas, toys and money donated by people and businesses helped make the holidays a more enjoyable time for those families that have very little.

A few years back Barton’s Boosters started sponsoring Job Fairs to bring local businesses into the community so residents could find gainful employment. Last year alone more than 300 people earned meaningful jobs as a result. However the biggest part of Barton’s Boosters goal to empowering people has been the Wayne Barton Study Center for middle and high school students. In 1995 Barton’s Boosters convinced the housing authority to allow us to convert a three bedroom HUD unit into an after school study center. The existing Study Center is staffed by teaching professionals who work part-time instructing and tutoring the kids in all subjects. Also, Florida Atlantic University Education Department supplies the center with tutors each day in a program coordinated through FAU and Barton’s Boosters.

The study center has proven to be a valuable asset to the community. Graduation rates have increased while dropouts and suspensions have decreased. There’s tremendous improvement in grades, attendance and self-esteem among the kids. The greatest achievement to date is the college enrollment; as of January 2006, the Wayne Barton Study Center has sent 96 students to various colleges throughout the south. This wouldn’t have been possible without the help of Barton’s Boosters or the guidance of the Wayne Barton Study Center. This from a neighborhood that was once on the brink of decadence.