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Edited by: TJVNews.com
In a community often defined by its history, resilience, and determination, the Westside Community Center in Asbury Park, New Jersey, stands as a symbol of both past struggles and future promise. For decades, it provided everything from job training and Bible studies to afterschool programs and dance classes, becoming an essential gathering space for families in Asbury Park and Neptune.
However, in recent years, the Westside Community Center has fallen into neglect and disrepair, leaving a void in the community. According to a recently published report in The Asbury Park Press, the once-thriving space was rendered almost unusable after years of mismanagement, with only a temporary food bank operating from the center in 2022. But thanks to the dedication of volunteers and a recent, unexpected donation of $100,000, the dream of restoring the center to its former glory is now closer than ever.
Felicia Simmons, a lifelong resident of Asbury Park and the current president of the Westside Community Center Renovation Association, was taken aback by the surprise donation. “It is surreal,” she said. The donation, made by an anonymous benefactor, is a monumental step forward for the renovation project, bringing much-needed financial relief to the group of passionate volunteers who have been working tirelessly to restore the building.
“It’s freeing because it is a relief when you don’t have to find a way to pay the light bill, the gas bill, the fines from the city, and those kinds of things,” Simmons added when speaking with The Asbury Park Press.
Simmons and her team are working to bring the center back to life, and their efforts go beyond simple repairs. By creating new opportunities for education and job training, the center is poised to help foster the next generation of skilled workers, including carpenters, through a partnership with the Eastern Atlantic State Regional Council of Carpenters.
The Eastern Atlantic State Regional Council of Carpenters represents around 43,000 union carpenters across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia, and has the potential to bring invaluable opportunities to Asbury Park. The Asbury Park Press reported that the talks have centered on the possibility of establishing a recruitment office or an educational course at the Westside Community Center. Such a program could help local residents, particularly young people, gain access to training and careers in the skilled trades, specifically in carpentry, an industry that continues to offer strong job prospects.
If successful, the partnership would introduce carpentry as a pathway for community members, adding to the long list of vocations historically nurtured by the center. By aligning with a major labor union, the Westside Community Center could become a training ground for future carpenters, continuing its legacy of producing professionals who contribute to the betterment of society.
The financial burden of the renovation project has been heavy on the shoulders of the community members involved. Volunteers and small donations have been their primary resources since Simmons took on the leadership role in 2022. As was reported by The Asbury Park Press, this major gift now provides the momentum needed to address some of the center’s most critical repairs, allowing the team to focus on completing the work necessary for a projected reopening sometime in 2025.
Despite the generosity of the donation, there is still a long road ahead. “None of us are rich, but we know that bringing the center back is our passion and the path God sent us on,” Simmons said. The volunteers have been committed to this project because they believe in the community’s need for a space like the Westside Community Center. The donation serves as validation for their hard work and dedication, a sign that others see the importance of their mission. “Working hard and having somebody appreciate that work with a donation this size is a blessing,” Simmons told The Asbury Park Press.
The Westside Community Center holds a unique place in the hearts of those who grew up in Asbury Park and Neptune. The center’s origins date back to 1942, when Dr. William J. Parks donated his home on Dewitt Avenue, right off of Springwood Avenue, to serve the community. As the first Black practicing doctor in Asbury Park, Dr. Parks was a trailblazer, and his gesture was a foundational moment for the Black community in the area. Indicated in the Asbury Park Press report, in 1962, a gymnasium was added to the facility, further expanding its capacity to serve as a recreational and educational resource.
For decades, the Westside Community Center offered a wide range of programs that helped shape the lives of local residents. It hosted job training programs, and even marching drill teams. Local youth participated in drum and bugle corps, Boy and Girl Scout troops, and eventually, computer literacy courses, the APP report said. The center also organized daycare services, community talent shows, and dance programs, fostering a sense of unity and empowerment.
But over the last 20 years, mismanagement led the once-vibrant center to fall into a state of neglect. Both the building and the gym deteriorated significantly, leaving the center idle for much of that time. The APP also reported that Simmons, who ran for mayor of Asbury Park in 2022, was informed that the first phase of restoring the building would require at least $300,000, a daunting sum for a community-driven initiative reliant on volunteer support and donations.
The $100,000 donation represents a significant portion of the estimated $300,000 needed to complete the first phase of the renovations, which includes replacing the roof and floors. But while this donation is an essential step, more work remains to bring the Westside Community Center back to life. The community will need to rally around the project, continuing to volunteer and contribute, while seeking additional support from outside sources.
Yet, there is hope. The surprise donation has galvanized the volunteers, reinvigorating their efforts and underscoring the importance of the work they are doing. Simmons and her team are now more optimistic than ever about meeting their goal of reopening the center in 2025. According to the report, once restored, the center will once again offer programs that address the needs of today’s community, such as educational resources, recreational activities, and a safe space for social gatherings.
While the vision for the Westside Community Center’s future is promising, the journey to get there is neither quick nor easy. All the work required to restore the building is being done by volunteers, which naturally slows the pace of renovation. Simmons acknowledges the challenge of relying on unpaid workers but remains optimistic.
“We are still looking for donations,” Simmons told the APP. “Obviously, we don’t want to be back in a situation a few months from now trying to pull everything together.” Although the community has made significant strides, there is still a need for both financial and material support to ensure the renovations continue smoothly. In addition to individual donors, Simmons is appealing to companies like Home Depot, Lowe’s, and other construction-related businesses to contribute to the effort. These donations are essential to meeting the center’s projected reopening date in 2025.
