CARVER CENTER HISTORY

The idea of a Community Center in Peoria was conceived by a group of outstanding and progressive women under the banner of the Colored Women's Aid Club.  These women had the foresight to realize that something was needed for the youth in the under-the-bluff area in the city with regard to the molding of character, improvement of moral standards, development of a desire for higher education and to give them a recreational outlet for their pent up energies and emotions.  Since there were no organized recreational facilities for minorities in the city of Peoria, the Colored Women's Aid Club purchased a 7-room house at 108 Globe Street and remodeled it for use as a Center.

The Club's motto was "Lifting As We Climb."  Thus, on October 9, 1922, the women's dream was consummated into a reality.

Mrs. Sarah Shepard conducted a welfare program to inform the public of the need and function of this new organization.  This program continued through December 1923.

In January 1924, the Center was under the leadership of Mrs. Nora Stanford Houston, who remained with the Center until retiring in 1941.  In 1928, the first paid worker was hired, later additional personnel was added.  It is interesting to note that in the early days the salaries of those "paid workers" ranged from $3.00 to $25.00 per month.

The work was expanded to reach all areas of the city.   Classes in physical education, home economics, drama, crafts, woodshop and health were held at 104 Green Street, Morning Star Baptist Church, Friendship Baptist Church, a building on Smith Street, Salvation Army, YWCA, YMCA, Neighborhood House and Proctor Center.  A play school for pre-school children was conducted, a library was established and clubs for boys and girls were organized.  The Center was always a friendly meeting place for young and old, where clean living, wholesome recreational, and social attitudes were developed.

The Center's activities finally outgrew the headquarters.   In 1937, the Women's Aid Club, realizing the need for larger quarters, purchased a 9-room brick building at 1010 Sanford Street that had space for a playground.  They looked forward to erecting a building with a gymnasium and greater recreational space.   It was not long before this building also proved to be inadequate for the work.

Now that their project had become a Community Center in every phase, the Women's Aid Club decided, in 1939, to turn over the operation of the Center to a Board of Directors, to be chosen from the citizens of the community-at-large.   Inspired by the work and accomplishments of the preceding leaders, the 1943 Board of Directors worked diligently to further this great community project.  In the fall of 1943, Mr. E.T. Atwell of the National Recreational Association was invited to come to Peoria to assist with the Financial Drive, which ended with the purchase of the present site at the corner of North Sheridan Road and West Third Street.

With the formation of the George Washington Carver Community Center Association, a Board of Trustees was established to safeguard the property of the Center; and a Board of Directors to direct and guide the work and activities of the institution.  In January 1944, the first full-time Director and staff were assigned the responsibility of developing and maintaining recreational services in the new location.

In 1968, Carver Board of Directors explored possibilities of expanding agency services, i.e., a year round Day Care Center and a Health Clinic.

Mrs. Erma Davis, a member of United Methodist Church, submitted a proposal requesting $10,000 to establish Day Care at Carver Center.  Response to the request was positive, and, after much media coverage of the United Methodist Church Project, the Catholic Diocese contributed $4,000.

Thus in October 1969, the George Washington Carver Day Care Center became a reality.  Its purpose:  Caring for and meeting the basic education, cultural and social needs of children with mothers who are working, in school, or on-the-job training.

Day Care curriculum consists of:  Hooked on Phonics, DISTAR Language, Math, Art, Music and Drama Development along with emphasizing physical fitness and independent activities.  In 1986, Peoria's first inner-city pre-school computer education program was announced and implemented.

Each year many graduates of Carver Day Care Center enter public and private schools with above average development for children equal in ages.