JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The long-awaited opening of the NFL's Youth Education Town in Jacksonville took place Friday morning.

Many residents in the Brentwood area, where the YET Center is located, said the youth center is what was needed to open the door to the future for the children and to turn the community around.

The funding for the center came in 2005 after Jacksonville hosted Super Bowl XXXIX, but for nearly two years the land were city's NFL YET center remained untouched.

After three years and a lot of hard work, Jacksonville's YET Center is ready to work with local kids. The center is an educational and recreational hub for the youth of at-risk neighborhoods.

For some kids, the center's opening was a dream come true.

"I love this place. It's just like home to me. It's great, " said 9-year-old Eris Ice.

The NFL donates more than $1 million toward the center annually. The YET Center also gets funding from local public and private support.

The YET Center offers children tutoring, mentors, career training, computer education and access to sports programs. It was designed to help young people succeed.

"It's really about leaving a lasting legacy, to touch the kids in Jacksonville to contribute in some meaningful way," said David Kricchavsky, of NFL community affairs.

The NFL works with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America to strengthen and expand the YET Center initiative.

"The possibilities are endless. You can see around, we have futures all around us -- computers, arts, crafts, everything. It's just endless," said YET Center staff member Cheryl Hampton.