WARREN Williams center asks for help to rebuild after summer floods

Because it's close to the Mahoning River, the center couldn't get flood insurance.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- This summer's floodwaters are causing cramped quarters at the Rebecca Williams Community Center.
The Club, the center's building near the Mahoning River, houses a gymnasium, offices and much of its program space. Floods that swelled the river beyond its banks in July and August destroyed the gymnasium floor and damaged much of the classroom and office space.
It will take about $45,000 to repair the buildings, most of which would be for the gym floor, if volunteer labor is used, said Lynncheryl Gadson, executive director.
Programs scheduled in the gym building were either postponed until repairs are done or moved to the education center across the street.
"We're trying to run everything that we can here," said Kenya A. Roberts, director of development.
Staff from The Club moved to the other building, too.
"We're getting to know each other really well," Gadson joked.
No flood insurance
Because of its location so close to the river, the center wasn't able to get flood insurance.
The agency sought assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but Gadson said the same aid isn't available to both nonprofit and for-profit groups.
The United Methodist Church, the agency's primary funding source; Warren Kiwanis; and Second National Bank have made contributions, but the center needs more donations to cover repair costs.
Clifford O. Johnson, president of the agency's volunteer board and a retired city schools principal, sent a letter last week to area residents and organizations requesting help.
Call the center at (330) 399-8931 to make a contribution or volunteer to help with labor.
Roberts estimated that 1,500 people are served annually by the agency's 22 programs for people age 6 weeks through adult.
Focus areas include early childhood education, elementary education, teen help, family education, recreation and enrichment programs.
The Turn Around Teens program, for example, aims to change the lives of young people who have begun to have legal problems. The Wee School provides child care for children 6 weeks to 5 years. And through the Mentoring Mothers and Fathers program, volunteer mentors provide support and encouragement to young parents.
The community center was founded 78 years ago by the United Methodist Church. It started with classes for immigrants in English, government and homemaking. Its namesake was a wealthy Mineral Ridge widow who left $12,000 to the First Methodist Church of Warren for home missions.
Expansion
It started as a volunteer program in a farmhouse on Pine Street that had been donated by the former Trumbull Steel Company.
Within the last seven years, the agency has doubled its budget and tripled its staff. It expanded into the newer education center about three years ago to accommodate growth.
"Each year, we're adding new and better programs as we find new ways to reach young people, adults and families," Roberts said.
Gadson said the agency serves a cross-section of the community. At least one generation of each of the many families who have lived in the city for a significant period of time has used its services, she contended.
"We have board members whose grandparents went to classes at Rebecca Williams to get their citizenship," she said.
Gadson attended preschool at the center as a child.
"We're very blessed that we have a staff that puts in more than 40 hours a week because they believe in our mission and our goals," Roberts said.
denise.dick@vindy.com