Christy Rodri paints under the stage Thursday, June 23, 2016 in the Chattanooga Civic Center at Mountainside. He is part of a group of members of Sacred Heart Cathedral Church in Raleigh, N.C. that is doing mission work in Chattanooga.Donations needed
The Chattanooga Civic Center at Mountainside seeks donated instruments and sewing machines. To donate, visit the center at 701 Hooker Road or call 423-280-0083.
The Alton Park Development Corp. will open the Chattanooga Civic Center at Mountainside to the public and launch its community programming next month.
“The overall goal is to uplift this community, especially giving our children opportunity to become empowered, not only economically, but educationally, socially and through offering performing arts,” said Dr. Elenora Woods, executive director of the development corporation.
The building, the former Alton Park/Piney Woods Resource Development Center at 701 Hooker Road, opens in the second week of July with dentistry, computer classes and child care for children from birth up to age 4, said George Calhoun, president of the Alton Park Development Corp.
Joyce Knox, a musician for Second Missionary Baptist Church, will provide piano and sewing classes. The center is planning a Latino Festival on July 23 and plans to do a production of “The Wiz” for youth interested in drama.
“All of the things that used to keep our kids busy and be successful, we want to bring that back,” said Woods. “And this is for everybody, blacks, whites, Latinos, anybody who wants to come out.”
Nearly two dozen student missionaries from Raleigh, N.C., assisted with painting the civic center, cleaning rooms and planting a community garden this week in preparation for the opening.
The students are members of Sacred Heart Cathedral Church and are among some 300 students who were in the city this month doing mission projects for nonprofit organizations.
“They were outstanding,” Woods said of the young volunteers.
Organizers are still waiting on some donated items that have been promised to be delivered to the building.
Knox already has two donated pianos and a drum set for music classes. She wants to get more instruments and sewing machines.
Youngsters who are interested in fabric arts will be able to take sewing classes, make clothes and then put them on display at the civic center for sale, said Woods.
The center is available to improve the quality of life for everyone who participates in its programming, said Calhoun.
“We’re going to have options and opportunities and the ability to move people forward,” he said. “We want to get people more involved in things that offer self-sufficiency.”
Contact staff writer Yolanda Putman at yputman@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6431.