The Rev. Willie Simmons, pastor of New Liberty Tabernacle in East Gadsden, announced an open house Friday (Aug. 30) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Community Development Project 2000 Empowerment Center at 930 East Broad Street in Gadsden.
Simmons said the center serves as a transitional facility for those who’ve been incarcerated. He said the project has helped former inmates to transition back into society and helped meet their immediate needs for some time. The Empowerment Center provides a facility for that purpose, he said.
“Its working out well,” Simmons said of the center. “It’s a mentoring program.”
Community Development Project 2000 will host its annual fundraising banquet Saturday (Aug. 31), Simmons said. The banquet is at 6 p.m. at New Liberty, and will feature performances by some of the young people involved in the summer enrichment program.
The summer enrichment program is one of the programs funded with the proceeds from the banquet. Simmons said the program and efforts like mentoring children in school can help to reach them before they need something like the transitional program.
For tickets or more information about the banquet, call New Liberty Tabernacle at 256-438-5908.
Also, Simmons said the “Men of God,” a prayer group of about 120 local men wants to give people of the community a place to celebrate and enjoy Labor Day.
They will host a “big picnic” on the lawn in front of Gadsden State Community College’s East Broad Street campus from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Labor Day. He said the event will feature tailgating, family entertainment, performances from local young people and ministers speaking throughout the day.
Simmons said many people cannot take an end-of-the summer trip out of town, and the prayer group wanted to provide a celebration for those who stay in the community for the day.