The Pigeon Center & Community Involvement

This article describes the WNC Community award that was given to the Pigeon Community Center and the Spring Mountain Community. This award grants the center $2,000 and is given to the centers who exemplify their devotion to their community. The Pigeon Center was gifted this award because of their many programs that provide for and tend to the needs of the people. Being granted this award gives reason and support to any community center.

This letter from Lin Forney, director of the Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center to the Director of Haywood County details the progress of repair work at the Pigeon Center in July, 21, 2015. Forney requests grant money from Haywood County so that the Pigeon Center can make necessary repairs to damages in order to acquire the African American school building.

The Pigeon center continues to provide many community involved activities that keep the center thriving with culture and education. The Pigeon center now hosts after school and summer school programs that are inclusive to all community members. One can still resonate with the history of the African American culture that resides within the community and the history of the people who keep the Pigeon Center afloat. The Pigeon Center is now trying to “take ownership of the historic African American School building.” However, the Center is sustained only on donation and volunteer work, and currently does not have the funds to make repairs in order to utilize the school building. The acquisition of the African American school will allow the Pigeon Center to give new life to an old building that remains central to African American culture in Western North Carolina. 

One can see the pride that the Pigeon Center emanates for African American history in Western North Carolina by the colorful mural that is painted on the side of the building. The mural incorporates African patterns and designs as a way to encompass African American history within Haywood County, and the world. One tile of the mural reads “Raza Hermosa,” meaning “Beautiful Race.” This mural encompasses the mission of the Pigeon Center, which is to “promote and facilitate harmony among residents of the community by helping to reestablish the longstanding tradition of community as a family.” 

This undated news article is an example of the diverse ways the Pigeon Community has the center’s space. It features news from the community’s Homemaker’s Club and indicates a variety of activities planned by the club, including a potluck dinner. The Homemaker's Club is one example of the many ways various community groups have utilized the Center's space since the Pigeon Community Development Club secured a lease for the building. 

Hosting a fish fry event is one of the ways the Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center raises their funds. This particular event was in preparation for the summer time expenses needed for activities and other events. This event was held in 2014 during the spring. One of the many fundraisers they hold, this fish fry is essential for the Pigeon Center to stay afloat throughout the year. The money raised will go towards repairs for the center, summer camp for the children of the community, and food banks.

This article lists the Pigeon Community Development Center Club as one of the 25 nonprofit organizations that were awarded the "Summertime Kids Grants." This grant, a special program of The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, funds, supports, and serves disadvantaged children living in the 18-county mountain region. In the article the author of this article states; “The Pigeon Community Development Center Club received $2,000 to help 25 children enjoy organize activities that promoted physical, educational, and recreational opportunities.”