Much needed' community center opens its doors by MARY ANN AZEVEDO

Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle

It took nearly 25 years of planning but the West Houston Community Center, 725 Bateswood, is hosting its grand opening today.

The idea for the 12,000-square foot nonprofit West Houston Community Center first grew out of a ministry established at St. Thomas Presbyterian Church more than two decades ago to provide facilities for community service programs.

The church helped launch the building project by contributing $60,000 in seed money and providing land in a 50-year lease at a charge of $1 per year. The center's operations remain independent of the church.

The West Houston Community Center makes possible the continuation and expansion of existing programs, including Alcoholics Anonymous and the Palmer Drug Abuse Program for teens and families. "In addition, many other nonprofit causes can now be considered for occupation in the new building", said John Funk, the center's executive director. Young Life, a Christian youth program, and Interface Samaritans, a nonprofit organization providing family and individual counseling, are two organizations already making use of the new facility. The programs had previously been housed in the small, wooden white building on the grounds of St. Thomas Presbyterian Church at the corner of Memorial Drive and Bateswood Street. The building provided a meeting place for the nearly 1,200 people who used it weekly for the three core programs, along with Boy Scout and Young Life activities.

Board chairman William P. Sartain said he's "very proud" the center is finally completed. "This was something very much needed in the community, as there's nothing else like it," he said. "There are churches providing meetings, but there is nothing that is permanently available to groups like AA. There is such a great need."

The facility, situated on a 1-acre site on the church grounds, includes meeting rooms, offices, an auditorium, a recreation room and snack bar. "The center was designed to be a comfortable, welcoming structure able to accommodate a variety of uses by many groups", Funk said. Other services, such as parenting programs, English as a Second Language classes, wellness and nutrition, aging, family literacy and after-school tutoring are being considered.

"A feasibility study found a number of area agencies provide such services as food pantries, emergency assistance and clothing, but programs offering counseling, learning and recovery are less readily available", Funk said. "Alcoholism and drug use affects nearly every family in some way all over Houston," Sartain said. "What we have done is to provide a space for these people to get help, to heal and do whatever it takes to get back to normal lives." Funk said there was a major fund-raising effort to make the dream of the center a reality.

The center has managed over the years to raise about $700,000, but is in still need of funds to reach its Capital Campaign Goal of $900,000 so it can continue the expansion of services. Home builder David Weekley who gave up to $75,000 to the center, said he supports the facility because of the impact Boy Scouts and Young Life have had on him. "I know they're a good organization, and I know there is a need." Weekley said. "I was born and raised in west Houston and helping out things that affected me as a kid is important."

The center had contracted with Braband Building Systems Ltd. in May 2002 to complete the final drawings. Construction on the center began in September 2002, and it officially opened its doors in June of this year. The grand opening, which wil feature a dedication ceremony, is from 6-8 p.m.

For more information on services or to contribute to its expansion, call 281-497-7211.