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As
a culturally diverse and dynamic location within
Tempe, the
Escalante
Community Center
was created to serve this
special community.
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The mission was to conduct a needs assessment of the Victory Acres area.
From that assessment the needs were identified as financial,
transportation, health, youth and adult employment services, youth education and
recreation activities.
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The
grassroots program was funded and started working toward meeting the needs of
the community.
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In
1969 the
Escalante
Community Center
began as a social
organization for teens with a focus on drop out prevention.
Two youth employment programs were offered through the Tempe Community
Action Program, one was Neighborhood Youth Corps and the other was Summer Crash.
Both programs encouraged kids to stay in school and help them earn money
for books, fees and clothing.
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In
the early 1970’s the City of
Tempe
was involved in the
beautification and redevelopment program for the downtown area.
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Through the efforts of Gil Montanez, the Victory Acres neighborhood was
included in this process.
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In
May of 1971 the City of
Tempe
opened the
Escalante
Community Center
to house the Tempe
Community Action Program, the
Escalante
Senior
Center, the Youth Assistance
Program and other programs sponsored by the recreation division.
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Over
the years the recreation programs at the
Escalante
Community Center,
under the supervision
of the Youth Assistance Program, merged into the Community Services
Department.
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To
meet the needs of its’ participants the
Senior
Center,
under the direction of
Tempe CAP, began to offer social and physical fitness programs to compliment
their daily nutrition meals.
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Many of the
programs that were created made this current facility a dream come true.
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In 1995 we met with the community and once again assessed the needs for
our dream facility.
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In 1997 the
new facility was completed and has grown to offer a variety of programs for
preschools, youth, teens, adults, seniors and families.
It
is a unique special place….our programs change every season.
All of our staff has an impact to change lives and it is fun watching
kids, families and this community, grow.
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2001 marked 30 years of service to the community
and City of Tempe residents.
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2006 marks 35 years of service to the community
and City of Tempe residents, as well as 30 years of service to summer camp
youth participants.
