Congresswoman Waters Honored for Her Work on Behalf of Women, Children, and Minorities

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) was recognized for her tireless work on behalf of women, children and minorities, receiving the Speaker's Award from the J. Ashburn Jr. Youth Center in Columbus, Ohio on Sunday. Prior to delivering the keynote address to an audience which included the Center's staff and supporters, as well as children it serves, the Congresswoman toured the state-of-the-art center and reviewed some of the activities and programs provided.

"Community centers such as the Ashburn Center have their finger on the pulse of the communities that they work in," said Congresswoman Waters. "Combating poor home environments, drug and alcohol problems, truancy and dropouts and teen pregnancy and unemployment are major challenges, and through the totality of its work the Center is a resource and a place of support for the youth of the Hilltop Community of Columbus."

Congresswoman Waters shared memories of her youth and cited the importance of having a safe, nurturing, fun place serving children.  "Growing up in St. Louis my friends, family and I relied heavily on our local community center as a place of learning, recreation, and social cohesion," she said. "I am so pleased I was able to come to the Ashburn Center to see how a community center effectively serves area children with limited resources, and I am confident that this Center is poised to continue to serve Hilltop for years to come."

The Center supports programming for 500 children a week between the ages of 5 and 13. Most children are African-American or Hispanic, come from a single parent household and are considered low-income. Additionally, staff members run pre-school services and also volunteer their time to work with at-risk high school-age students.

Activities for children include learning Native American, African-American, and Hispanic-American history, working on computers in the labs, using the library, playing chess, and participating in general and organized recreational activities.

The J. Ashburn Jr. Youth Center was built in 1962 and according to its website has "consistently provided structured programs and supportive activities that meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of youth." In the late 1990s the Center embarked on a $3 million upgrade to its facilities, an impressive feat given its annual operating budget of less than $250,000, which mostly comes from its status as a United Way Agency and through private donations. Notable individuals who grew up at the Center include CNN contributor Joe Johns, Milwaukee Bucks basketball player Mike Redd and Paul Taylor, a successful businessman and close friend of Congresswoman Waters.

"I am encouraged by the dedicated staff, eager children, and modern facilities that I've seen today. This community center is providing the children with a foundation from which to build their academic, professional and personal lives," said Congresswoman Waters.

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