TUTWILER — The Tutwiler Community Education Center recently celebrated 25 years of service from their current building with friends and supporters from across the United States.
The gathering took place at the center in downtown Tutwiler on June 17 with a lot of meeting, greeting and renewing friendships.
Founders were honored by director Carla Ross. Those recognized for their contributions to the center included Genether Spurlock, Sister Maureen Delaney, Sister Anne Brooks, Sister Joann Blomme and Sylvester Kirk.
Services to the community actually began as an outreach program from the Tutwiler Clinic. The current building was completed in 1992 with a grant from the Kellogg Foundation, along with private contributions.
Parenting classes and play groups were among the first programs offered to area residents after their visit to the Tutwiler Clinic.
Providing a weekly gathering spot for senior citizens is still a Wednesday morning event at the center, which began while still a part of the Tutwiler Clinic. The TCEC vans pick up senior residents from around the area and bring them to the center for fellowship, singing, programs, bingo, celebrations and lunch before taking them home.
The Tutwiler Quilters began in the Tutwiler Clinic, too. The quilters hand make beautiful quilts, placemats, table runners, potholders, bags and other quilted items in the traditional African-American style in their homes and are paid for their work when they hand it over to the Tutwiler center to sell.
Quilters are paid 80 percent of the selling price of the item and they are provided all the materials they need to complete the item, too. Center staff take the items to craft shows and religious meetings to display the quilted products. They are for sale at the center, too. This “cottage industry” has been an important income provider for many quilters throughout the program’s 28-year history.
Teen Helpers is a jobs training program that also began before the current TCEC building was completed. Teens, ages 16-18, are hired to help staff with the after-school program during the school year and with the summer program. Teens must fill out an application for the job and write about why they want to work at TCEC. Applicants are then interviewed by staff.
The Teen Helpers who are hired attend several hours of training to understand the responsibilities of working with children and of working at TCEC. Teen Helpers are taught those important “soft skills” that ensure future “employability” like being on time, performing work expected of them, getting along with others, appropriate dress and appropriate on-the-job behavior.
A former Teen Helper, present Tutwiler Mayor Nichole Harris welcomed guests to the recent 25th celebration.
Financial support for the Tutwiler Center comes from private donations. The center does not receive any city, county, state or federal funds. Individuals and partner foundations support the center.
The Tutwiler Community Education Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation registered in the state of Mississippi. Anyone wanting more information about TCEC can call 662-845-8393 or log onto the website at www.tutwilercenter.org.
“We are looking forward to serving the area for another 25 years and more,” stated director Ross, at the close of the celebration.
IN THE PHOTO: Enjoying the festivities are (from left) Sister Maureen Delaney of Portland, Oregon; Sister Anne Brooks, D.O., upstate New York; Sister Cora Lee Middleton, Tutwiler; and Sister Joann Blomme, Racine, Wisconsin. (Photo by Shelley Ricker)
