aBOUT
In 1942, The Westside Community Center was founded in Asbury Park, New Jersey as the successor to the Urban League. Rev. John Ashby, Lorenzo W. Harris Sr., Leonard J. Martin, and William Griffin were its founding leaders. Located on Dewitt Ave, its building was the former home of Dr. William J. Parks, a prominent African-American doctor in the community.
The organization was dedicated to the promotion of the moral, spiritual, physical, social, and mental welfare of Asbury Park’s Westside, a predominately African- American community.
Since 2022, WCC Historic Renovation Association INC. has taken on ownership of The Westside Community Center to improve the lives of the youth and families by providing education and resources, health and wellness, leadership and career training.
The Westside’s Decades of Decline
The 1970’s Asbury Park riots marked the beginning of The Westside Community Center’s decline. The preceding flight of Black wealth especially, left Asbury Park’s Westside community with masses of underrepresented people who lacked the incomes, wealth, and resources necessary to sustain the crucial mission and vision of the Center.
The subsequent War on Drugs era soon left Asbury Park’s Westside Community and the Westside Community Center hobbled for many years. A once self-sufficient community suddenly fell victim to the scourge of drugs, gun violence, and poverty. As a result, the Westside Community Center was left dormant to languish in decay.
Since 2022, Wcc Historic ReNOVAtion Association Inc. has taken over ownership of The Westside Community Center to restore its glory and prominence.
The REHABILITATION of the Westside
A completely repaired roof on the Westside Community Center’s main building, courtesy of roofing materials donation by AcryLabs. Labor donated by Rory Stout (AcryLabs) & Myzel Frierson (Self-employed Contractor)
Rory Stout (AcryLabs) plastering down the new roof on the Westside Community Center’s main building.
Rory Stout (AcryLabs) cleaning up derbies after a hard days work on the Westside Community Center’s main building.
Rory Stout (AcryLabs) & Myzel Frierson (Self-employed Contractor) gutted old wood panels in the Westside Community Center’s main building and replaced it with new ones.
Why work with us?
Wcc Historic Renovation Association Inc. (Wcc HRA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with over two million dollars of real estate assets under its ownership and management. Led by Felicia Simmons, President, her Executive Board: William Phillips, Ibrahim Mohamed and her Auxiliary Impact Committee, Wcc HRA has begun work on the complete rehabilitation of our administrative building & cultural center. An estimated $300,000 is needed to complete the rehab, which includes roof repairs, replacement, electrical repairs, and mold remediation. Thanks to donations from AcryLabs, the New Jersey Monmouth Shore Smart Set, and many more beloved community members, substantial work has been done already.
Forming Strategic Alliances
Wcc HRA’s President, Felicia Simmons (left) with Former New Jersey Gubernatorial Candidate, Jim Johnson (right) at the inaugural Wcc HRA Community Clean-up.
Leveraging Sweat Equity
Wcc HRA’s Executive Board Member, William Phillips at the inaugural Wcc HRA community clean-up helping clear up heavy derbies.
Inviting Community Support
Former New Jersey Gubernatorial Candidate, Jim Johnson at the inaugural Wcc HRA community clean-up volunteering to scrap paint chips of the gymnasium walls.
In 2024, Wcc HRA plans to complete the rehabilitation of both the Westside Community Center’s main building & cultural center and establish its first set of recreational and community improvement programs by forming strategic alliances across the state, leveraging its sweat equity, and inviting community support from far and near.
2023-2024 Annual report
Read our most recent annual report, which shares inspiring highlights of our work and the community we serve. We thank all our supporters and partners, who make our work possible.
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Wcc Historic Renovation Association Inc.
115 Dewitt Avenue Asbury Park, New Jersey 07712
Mon – Fri: 9am – 5pm
Sat – Sun: Closed
Contact
feliciasimmons4ap@gmail.com
347-374-1133
Wcc Historic Renovation Association Inc. 