By: Paul McLain, LCC Director

A newly paved parking lot, neutral painted walls, and the scent of new carpets welcomed our Local Conservation Corps (LCC) staff and corpsmembers Monday morning. After an intense week of moving furniture and unpacking dozens of boxes, our LCC crew finally has a new, modern place to call home.

The eagerly awaited relocation to the Neighborhood Youth Center (NYC) at California and C streets in southwest Fresno couldn’t have come at a better time. Staff and corpsmembers, who have for several years now worked in cramped conditions, were both relieved and overwhelmed at their roomier home. The move was also a time for awe and reflection as file drawers were emptied and the story of the development of the center was uncovered. Photos of events and activities long past due brought about laughter as well as a sense of true accomplishment.

Though LCC now occupies the NYC administration building, there are still two more buildings at the site to be constructed including a vocational training facility with a fully automated recycling sorting and baling operation, large meeting room, classrooms, and storage. Construction on the vocational training facility will start within the next month pending approval of contractor bids. A child care facility is also being planned on the site.