By Lori Lizarraga

Just outside of Downtown Dallas, over the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, is a small West Dallas community.

Hundreds of families occupy the neighborhoods within Trinity Groves.

For the past 83 years, the West Dallas community center has served a vital role among these families as a place that unites and serves their community.

The center hosts holiday parties for the community. From Valentines Day and Cinco De Mayo, to Halloween and Christmas, the center provides a fun place of community and fellowship.

“It’s always a lot of fun, I had a lot of fun helping out today with the kids,” said Julie Castillo, WDCC community volunteer. “This is something I’m used to because I have five, so it’s not a big deal to come out and help. It was real great doing this. This was the first time we actually did a Valentines party and I think the kids had a lot of fun and I did too.”

WDCC serves not only as a place for families of West Dallas to come together and host community groups, it also serves as an after school program for kids to get tutoring help and free after school care while their parent s are still at work.

WDCC President Karen Factory Salmond said, “Our goal is to keep the center open to help with the children’s mentoring program. I would really like to see the community come together and help support west Dallas community center. This center has been here for 83 years. We need urgent support from the community, from the city. This is a legacy that I would really hate to see lost its vision for the children.”

“I do better at school whenever I come here,” said Castillo’s 7-year-old daughter.

You can make a donation by visiting their website at westdallas.org and clicking on donate. Every contribution helps keep the doors of WDCC open to children across West Dallas.

The WDCC hosts their after school program every weekday from 3:30 to 7 for anyone interested in volunteering. They are always looking for extra helpful hands.

Visit westdallas.org for more information.