Wesley Community Center

Mission: To employ the combined skills of staff, community residents, & partners in the development, operation, support, advocacy, and evaluation of holistic community-based programming through an array of services that integrate MHM core values into every aspect of delivery and provide for the positive development of children and families within the Columbia Heights Community; for the prevention of premature illness or death.
Vision: To create a community of families in which individuals of all cultural and economic backgrounds are protected, informed, nurtured, & supported so that they may achieve their full God given potential.

Description:
Wesley Health & Wellness Center is a multi-service community center providing a cadre of services to community through direct service and partnerships. Services to youth are provided in adherence with the Gold Medal Children’s Activity Center principles. This means that all facets of our youth programming is built around a core model of character building, and that it is infused into all Wesley Youth Development Program (WYDP) activities. WYDP is comprised of four best-practice components and provides structured age-appropriate activities for children six to eighteen, year round, full-time on school holidays, and during the summer break in (June and July). All participants have daily character building lessons utilizing the nationally recognized CHARACTER COUNTS! Framework. The program goal is: provide a safe & fun atmosphere with structured activities that encourage positive growth and attainment of social and learning skills. This is accomplished through a “Play with Purpose” mentality fostered by staff at Wesley. Nutritious full meals and snacks are provided for the children via the on-site Kids Café.

Services for Children and Youth ages 6-18 are provided via the “Wesley Youth Development Program” a comprehensive youth support system that includes:
 “Read’ Run’ & Fun Club” ages (6-12) no-cost service for children offered from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays with a Kids Café meal. Children from local elementary & middle schools are able to receive homework, tutoring, study, and computer learning, participation in engaging curriculumns i.e., (Junior achievement, Life Skills, and CHARACTER COUNTS! activities.)
 The “TEEN-S.P.O.T.” (SPORTS-PLAY-OBSTACLES-TRIUMPH) ages (13-18) no-cost service for teens offered from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a Kids Café meal weekdays. Junior High and High school students are provided a safe, positive environment after-school and in the evening, where they are encouraged and supported to complete homework assignments, provided tutoring, and invited to participate in positive group discussions, along with fun physical challenges and game activities that inspire teens to care about health & wellness related issues that impact their lives daily. These activities include: Jr. Olympics, Aquafina Pitch-Hit-Run, and Spurs 2-Ball competition).
Wesley Summer Recreation Program “Camp Wesley” is an 8-week summer program in June and July for children ages 6 to 18. Program times are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wesley Mariachi & Cultural Arts Program “Los Mariachitos del Wesley” launched in 2006 provides children & youth ages 6-18 free quality art & music instruction where participants actively create and/or perform as well as respond to the arts, carry-out public performances, exhibitions and mariachi music instruction.
 Youth with Character Sports Program adheres to the Pursuing Victory with Character Model. A CHARACTER COUNTS! Initiative. Children & youth are provided a no-cost structured sportsmanship building program year round, with certified coaches and referees that adhere to all Kids Sports Network protocol. Parents & families are encouraged to participate as volunteers and spectators. Sports include: (Spurs Drug Free Youth Basketball league, flag-football league, volleyball, indoor soccer league). Practice is daily (5 pm -10 pm) Game days are on Saturdays free and open to all family members and friends. All games and practices are held at Wesley gym.

Services for adults ages 19-49 are provided through the “Adult Health & Wellness Program”
With a focus on creating opportunities for social interaction, building family unity and education for youth and
their families, this evening program provides various free activities supervised by center staff, community
partnerships, and staff professionals. Activities include:
 Exercise classes (cardio-step-aerobics) provided at no-cost
 Sports leagues (basketball,volleyball)
 Free health screenings and presentations
 Parent and family member trainings i.e., (Madrinas & Padrinos traffic safety program, Dr. Dad),
 Support groups i.e., (Alcoholics Anonymous, senior care giver support).
ESPERANZA Senior Enrichment Program (ESEP). This program is offered for people 50 years of age and older with a participant driven programming structure where more than half of all activities are led by volunteers. The weekly structured activities include: Line Dancing, Sit-Stretch-Dance, Quilting, Sewing, free health screenings, application assistance, helpful health/wellness presentations, along with a Diabetic Walking Group led by a registered nurse. Monthly luncheons and annual field trips are also held in conjunction with the Friday gathering of the Esperanza 50+ plus circle that follows a rotating schedule for movie days, book club meetings, Game days, and cultural and seasonal celebrations. Meals and fruit snacks are provided in various activities and seniors have access to Thursday vegetable and bread disbursement weekly. The program also is a recognized Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) site with several senior taking part in volunteer projects year round.

Other services provided at Wesley include:
 MELD Parenting Programs
 Columbia Heights Primary Medical and Dental Services
 Health Education Services
 Counseling and Support Services

Community Service and Volunteering Opportunities This support activity includes group volunteering for one day events and activities or week-long mentoring, young people nationwide have come for missions work at Wesley and helped further the mission at Wesley. Wesley provides civic learning opportunities as well as court mandated community service hours throughout the year for youth and adults.

History:
Wesley Community Center was founded in 1909 as a national mission institution of The General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church. It was formed from three Methodist missions and has relocated four times in its history, but has always served the citizens of the South side of San Antonio. Its current site at 1406 Fitch Street is one of the most underserved areas in San Antonio. This area has nearly 100,000 individuals*; nearly 90 percent are Hispanic. More than half the families with children under 18 years of age have incomes below 185 percent of federal poverty guidelines, and the median family income is 32 percent below that of Bexar County. (Sources: 2000 Census and 2004 Community Needs Assessment). Many of the more than 6,000 families within a two-mile radius of the Center are single parent households earning less than $15,000 per year. Since March of 2004, it has operated under the management of Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM). In 2005, the center underwent renovations that expanded the scope of services it can provide to the community. In August of 2006, MHM purchased Wesley at the request of its board. At that time, the name was changed to Wesley Health & Wellness Center at Columbia Heights in order to reflect the mission of the facility to provide a cohesive scope of services to treat the whole person: body, mind, and spirit.

Contact people:

Raul Ahumada, Program Manager, (210) 924-5191, (email) Darryl Greer, Program Coordinator, (210) 924-5191, (email)

Office fax number: (210) 924-0222

Address:

1406 Fitch San Antonio, TX 78211 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.mhm.org

Directions:

35S, exit Southcross, turn right on Southcross, turn right on Huron, turn left on Fitch, an Center is on the left.   Nearest Bus Stop: 1 block, 5 minute walk

Last updated on December 29, 2008