The numbers are in, and 2022 was the most active in recent years for the Phillis Wheatley Community Center! The center’s programs and services for youth, adults and seniors drew more than 27,000 visitors to the upper and lower campuses last year. From the Phillis Wheatley Repertory Theatre for youth to our weekly senior social and basketball, there is something for everyone.
135 Youth Participate in Summer Camp Program
We welcomed 135 1st – 6th graders to the center for day camp through our partnership with Greenville County Parks and Recreation in 2022. Campers continue to work on life skills learned during the academic year: flexibility, initiative, social skills, productivity, and leadership. They participate in a variety of activities from sports and games, arts and crafts, special events, special field trips, and much more.
26 Hours of Live Performances for the Repertory Theatre
The Phillis Wheatley Repertory Center for Youth provided over 26 hours of live theatre to the community in 2022. From the Juneteenth celebration in downtown Greenville to a production of Motown Sound at our lower campus, the Repertory Theater performances continue to delight and entertain audiences of all ages!
150 Hours of Enrichment Programming for Seniors
Phillis Wheatley Community Center creates opportunities for seniors (ages 65 and up) to be physically active, to socialize and to fellowship with one another. 150 hours of enrichment programming were provided to seniors in 2022. The center also launched a new physical activity program: Silver Basketball in the lower campus gym every Monday and Wednesday.
75 assisted with food and housing, and 725 received employment assistance
The on-site client advocate at the center provides support for clients experiencing a range of needs. The center’s client advocate assisted more than 75 families with food and housing last year through the center’s food pantry and through community partners.
More than 725 people received employment assistance through job training and reentry services offered through the center and on-campus partners Goodwill and Greenville Technical College.
3 New Facilities Projects
A focus area for the center in recent years has been repairing and renovating the lower campus facilities. Three new projects were launched this year to serve the community in new ways.
Senior Fitness and Recreation Park
The center is currently building an outdoor senior fitness playground on the lower campus. It is designed for aerobic exercise and activity that helps maintain flexibility, mobility, and stability. It will also feature an area for recreation such as card games and conversations, and an area for al-fresco lunches. As of December 2022, the park was 40% complete!
Healthy Living Kitchen
Generous support from Industrial Project Innovation is funding the construction of the center’s commercial kitchen. Once complete, the kitchen will have full commercial capabilities and will support health and nutrition programming in addition to events and rentals at the center. It even has a service window to serve food directly to the community! As of December 2022, the healthy living kitchen was 80% complete!
Student Learning Lounge
The student learning lounge will be a place for students of any age to come and study and complete their homework, complete with computers and personal work spaces. As of December 2022, the student learning lounge was 25% complete!
What You Can Do
Donate
As projects are completed and programming continues to expand, many more visitors are expected in 2023! To support all that is happening at the center, consider making an online donation. You currently have the option to give a general contribution or buy a brick that you can personalize with your name to be used in projects at the center. You can also drop in and contribute food to the food pantry during normal operating hours. Contact Kristi Inglis for more information.
Stay Informed
The center announces programming, events and other news monthly in the newsletter. Make sure you sign up and let us know if you are interested in receiving additional communication about specific programming and events. You can also follow the center on Facebook and Instagram.