New center unveiled in downtown PA

By ROGER COWLES - Port Arthur News Staff Writer
Port Arthur News
12/08/2003

Community activist Hilton Kelley is working to make a vision a reality and to breathe life into a dormant Downtown Port Arthur building. The vision began coming into focus as the new Center for Environmental Education and Health was unveiled Monday.

The building at 648 E. Sixth St. where the new center will be was still without lights and a musty odor was a reminder that its doors and windows hadn't been open for long.

But those details didn't deter Kelley's enthusiasm as he led a brief tour showing where he envisioned rows of computers for students and community members to be able to access information, an environmental education resource center and a health screening service for people who have been exposed to emissions from industry that surrounds the area.

Kelley also plans for the building to house an adult and youth activity center.

"We have a lot of kids, a lot of elderly people who need assistance, so why are all our services moving out to Mid-County," Kelley asked as he showed the new banner across the front of the building. "We need something to keep our tax dollars here. I would hope our City Council would jump on board."

A thermometer-style graph leaning on the front wall of the center registers the first $5,000 donation Kelley said was given to make the vision become a reality. The seed money was given by the Royal Masters, the organization from which Kelley is purchasing the building.

The top of the thermometer graph is the $100,000 goal established to get the center up and running and the services offered. Kelley said he has applied for non-profit status and is awaiting the final paper work.

"We need to give a reason for our young people to stay here and those who have left to come back," Kelley said. "When you lose your youth, you've lost it all."

One of the young people working with Kelley to get the center into operation, 20-year-old Markeeta Birdsong, was on hand for Monday's press conference.

"I think it will benefit the teenagers and kids. On the weekends we don't have anything to do," the Thomas Jefferson graduate said. She said her involvement may be a role model for other young people to take an active role in their community.

"When you see somebody doing something positive, it makes you want to do it too," she said.

For more information about the center, call (409) 498-1088.

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