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The idea of a Community Center in Peoria Illinois was conceived in 1922 by a group of outstanding and progressive women under the banner of the COLORED WOMEN'S AID CLUB who had the foresight to realize that something must be done for the youth in the "under-the-bluff" area of 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.
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1922 – 1923 mrs. Sarah Shepard promotes cwaccc – cwac rent/purchase 108 globe street for cwaccc Mrs. Sarah Shepard, Colored Women’s Aid Club President, conducted a welfare program to tell the public of the need and function of this new organization. This program continued through December 1923.
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The Colored Women’s Aid Club purchased a 7 room house at 108 Globe Street, and remodeled it for use as a Center.
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Colored Women’s Aid Club (mrs. floyd reeves, p) realizing the need for larger quarters, purchased a 9 room brick building at 1010 Sanford Street, with space for a playground.
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Colored Women’s Aid Club decided in 1939 to turn over operation of the Center to a Board of Directors chosen from the Citizens of the Community-at-large.
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Mr. E. E. Atwell of the National Recreation Association was invited to come to Peoria to assist with the financial drive, which ended with the purchase of the present site at North Richard Pryor, and West Third Street.
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After formation of GWCA Incorporated, a Board of Directors was chosen to direct and guide the work and activities of the institution. In January of 1944, the first full-time Director and Staff were assigned the responsibility of developing and maintaining recreational services in the new location.
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Restored by jaci willis, bradley university, in july 2013
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In 1965 the Chest and Council United Way developed a Task Force, chaired by Judge Morgan, to study programs, projects and activities of its member agencies. Recommendations relating to Carver Center strongly stated that Carver de-emphasize it’s focus on recreation and research the possibility of expanding Human Service Programs.
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Erma M. Davis, a member of the Central Illinois United Methodist Church Conference “Reconciliation Committee” designed to raise and allocate funds to inner-city projects within the conference, presented a proposal requesting $10,000 be used as “seed money” to establish a year round Day Care Center at Carver. Sister Cor Marie solicited $4,000 from the Peoria Catholic Diocese. As a result of both efforts, Carver Day Care Center became a reality in the fall of 1969.
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Positive networking between Methodist Medical and Carver Center produced relationship now referred to as a Long Lasting Marriage, that began and opened “Carver Clinic” in July of 1970. Initially, area physicians donated their time to the Clinic. A group of 29 physicians responded to the call and scheduled time to see patients at the clinic every three to four weeks.
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Expanded dental and optometry services were added and the name was changed from Carver Clinic to Carver Family Health Center.
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Increasing statistics and overcrowding conditions motivated Erma M. Davis to draft a proposal to Methodist Medical Center’s President and CEO, James K. Knoble, requesting funds to build a new medical facility. $320,000 was approved in October of 1988, and the new 4,000 square foot building was dedicated June 1, 1989.
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The City council on July 17, 1991 voted to transfer at almost no cost land it is buying in Southtown for $100,000 to Carver Community Center for its expansion project. The council voted unanimously to transfer the property at Second and Sheridan to Carver for $1 and legal and title costs to save the center extra costs in its project, which is already estimated to cost $250,000.
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... 1978 - 2008 percy baker jr on staff ...
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Another community computer lab opened at the George Washington Carver Center.
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In January 2010, the Peoria Park Board voted unanimous on its resolution to . The Resolution was dedicated to his 32 years of service to the Carver Center.
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In May 2010, for its child care center and youth program, two of its cornerstone programs.
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On Sept. 2 2011 George Washington Carver Center closed indefinitely to allow time to reorganize and restructure operations.
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In April 2012, a town hall discussion on Southtown tax increment financing projects centered on the future of George Washington Carver Center; including a $115,000 roof paid for with Southtown TIF funds.
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IMAGE: Main entrance looking east.
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On July 26, 2013 GWCA, Inc. host the grand reopening of GWCC.
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Journal Star reports Ken Hinton returned in June 2014 as volunteer interim director of GWCA, along with a new board of directors and a team of volunteers intent on saving the venerable community center from financial breakdown for the second time in three years.
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On August 11, 2014 President Bashir Ali and the new Board of Directors attend an orientation meeting at GWCC.
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