First Corinthian Baptist senior pastor Michael Walrond Jr. envisioned the Dream Center as a 'hub of community empowerment'
First Corinthian Baptist Church Pastor Michael Walrond Jr. addresses the crowd at opening ceremonies for the Dream Center, a community center for local youth on W. 119th St. in Harlem.
For this Harlem pastor, the dream has come true.
Last weekend, the Rev. Michael Walrond Jr. officially opened the Dream Center Harlem, a community space with a specific focus on encouraging young people to dream big.
The brand new space, located on W. 119th St. between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. and St. Nicholas Ave., is just three blocks away from First Corinthian Baptist Church, where Walrond is the senior pastor.
“It’s pushing people to be their better selves,” Walrond told the Daily News last month in an interview about the center.
He added that he hopes the center will help people “see what is possible for their own lives.”
The ribbon cutting ceremony — which also served as a community block party — was held on Saturday, and was attended by such dignitaries as Rep. Charles Rangel, the Rev. Al Sharpton, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer and Controller John Liu.
“Congratulations,” said Rangel. I’m confident that many dreams will become reality as a result of this wonderful and exciting initiative.”
Tory Liferidge, youth pastor at First Corinthian, said the vision for the center has been in the works for several years.
“I’m humbled to see this vision come to fruition and have a great impact on the community," Liferidge told the Daily News on Wednesday.
He said the center will primarily offer programming and after-school activities for high school students, and give them a place to do their homework. Next year, the space will also be used for programming catered to seniors.
“We want this space to be a hub of community empowerment,” Liferidge said.
Posted By: DAVID JOHNSON
Saturday, October 13th 2012 at 11:53PM
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