The Westside Community Center Journey

In the heart of Asbury Park, New Jersey, stands a building that has long served as the backbone of its African-American community: the Westside Community Center (WCC).

Founded in 1942 and located at 115 Dewitt Avenue, the WCC occupies the former home of Dr. William J. Parks, a renowned African-American physician whose contributions to the community were immeasurable. Community leaders like Rev. John Ashby, Lorenzo W. Harris Sr. (Kay Harris of the Asbury Park Museum’s grandfather), Leonard J. Martin, and William Griffin started the WCC because they saw the need for a dedicated space to address the physical, mental, and spiritual needs of the Westside community. For decades, the center served as a lifeline, offering job training, after-school programs, Bible study, and cultural events. It became a symbol of resilience and unity—an embodiment of the spirit of community and the determination to uplift each other in the face of adversity.

Yet, despite these contributions, the Westside has long been overlooked by the city, and the WCC has faced repeated neglect. In 1968, as cries for social change spread nationwide, Asbury Park was not immune, and civil unrest led to a period of decline driven by years of demands for better housing, more police oversight, and economic development, while shopping centers and Atlantic City’s growth worsened the city’s struggles. Violence erupted in the streets, and the Westside Community Center became a makeshift hospital, with local nurses and doctors tending to the wounded. Despite the chaos, the Westside Community Center remained a symbol of resilience.

However, as the years passed, the community continued to grapple with systemic neglect, economic decline, and disinvestment, while the WCC, like the neighborhood it served, fell into disrepair.

A New Era of Hope and Renewal

Fast forward to 2022, and a glimmer of hope emerged with the formation of the WCC Historic Renovation Association, led by President Felicia Simmons. The mission is both simple and ambitious: to restore the center’s physical structure and ensure its legacy of service continues for generations to come.

The WCC is not merely a building; it is a living testament to the resilience and strength of a community that has weathered decades of adversity. Its restoration is a call to action—a plea for financial and community support to secure its future as a cultural hub, a space for education, and a center for workforce development. This restoration is more than just a renovation of bricks and mortar, it is a reclamation of the community’s spirit and a reaffirmation of the center’s role in shaping the future of Asbury Park.

Felicia Simmons reminds us that we have a choice. “We can turn back to days of hate and division, or we can move forward to a future that honors the sacrifices of our ancestors” and, “Our change could make change.”

Strategic partnerships are essential to the center’s revitalization. One of the key collaborators is the Essex Community Land Trust, founded by Brittnee Timberlake, a dedicated community advocate and New Jersey State Senator. Her work is guided by the motto “Principles over politics,” and this partnership promises to both preserve the center’s history and create new spaces for the community to grow and thrive. Additionally, the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters is lending its support through skilled labor, offering not only the expertise needed to restore the building but also providing workforce training and apprenticeships to local residents.

While progress is being made on the main building’s renovation, much work remains to be done, particularly on the gymnasium and cultural center, which are crucial for hosting educational programs, community events, and workforce development initiatives. These spaces will continue to serve as vital gathering points for a community that is eager to reconnect, rebuild, and grow.

The Power of Community Support

The journey of the Westside Community Center’s restoration is not one that can be accomplished alone. It requires the collective efforts of everyone who understands the importance of preserving this cultural treasure. Donations, volunteer efforts, and active support from community members and leaders are essential to ensuring the center’s future. This is more than just a renovation project—it is a movement to honor the legacy of those who came before us and to invest in the future of Asbury Park.

The WCC has always been a place of learning, healing, and cultural exchange. It is where local leaders, educators, artists, and community activists have gathered for decades to create lasting change. It is where stories are told, where dreams are realized, and where the bonds of community are strengthened.

The future of Asbury Park’s heartland is in our hands. Let’s restore it together.