At A Glance
The South End Community Center, “hereafter referred to as the SECC” as well as the non-profit human services sector in Springfield are a transformational stage of development. While federal, state, and local funding sources have decreased crime and violence, dropout rates, and child homelessness and poverty rates have sharply increased. Current Springfield community based organizations “hereafter referred to us CBO’s” were ill prepared to navigate the economic downturn. Subsequently, the Springfield community has incurred an increasingly troubling decline in youth and communal services. Many CBO’s close at 6:00 PM due to budget constraints, others have dissolved completely. Consequently, some CBO’s have been acquired and merged into nationally based CBO’s.
This current trend of lack luster services, and cannibalization is extremely alarming. When you consider youth participation in risky behaviors such as unprotected sex, alcohol, and drug abuse, and violence is increasing. Though the SECC has felt the economic crunch as well, we have continued to provide quality services, innovative programming and open doors until 10:00 PM.
The SECC is positioned as the only all-inclusive CBO in the South End of Springfield. Moreover, due to our hours of operation, the SECC services residents of the Greater Springfield area as well. Though, the June 1st tornado of 2011 destroyed our building, it only strengthened our resolve, and renewed our purpose. Our staff has passion for community investment, and youth development. We intend to continually push the envelope by innovating our programming and business model. We will continue to provide quality, economical, and substantive services geared towards community and youth development.