The John F. Kennedy Center (JFK) was started in 1966 under President Lyndon B. Johnson’s federal War on Poverty.  For the first two years, JFK operated under GECAC as the community action agency mandated by the federal government to sponsor economic opportunity programs in Erie City and County.  On June 6, 1968 the John F. Kennedy Center was incorporated as a private nonprofit social service agency.

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The John F. Kennedy Center, Inc. was formed to offer charitable programs to further the common good and general welfare of the lower income residents of a specific geographically defined disadvantaged target service area immediately surrounding the center.  JFK’s target area is bound on the north by East Lake Road, on the south by East 28th Street, on the west by East Avenue, and on the east by Bird Drive (city line).  The 1.78 square mile target service area remains the same today.

During the late 1960’s, the John F. Kennedy Center conducted community outreach and block club organization and operated youth recreation programs in neighborhood school gyms and vacant lots. In 1969, a fund drive was successfully launched to buy a commercial building. That storefront property at 2024 Buffalo Road became the building block from which the agency has grown. 

In 1972, the John F. Kennedy Center received its first direct service grant.  United Way of Erie County funded three positions – Executive Director, Executive Secretary and Recreation Director.  Bobby Harrison was the founding Executive Director.  Harrison would lead the agency until his untimely death in 2006. 

 

By the mid 70’s, the John F. Kennedy Center operated an emergency food and medical supplies program, food co-op, weekly meal program for seniors, and a community food and nutrition program from the storefront building.  Child care and youth recreation programs were conducted at various locations throughout the neighborhood.  In 1972, JFK’s Board of Directors and administration sought to bring all services under one roof.   A city-wide fund drive was conducted.  Local residents pledged $3,000 to the new facility and raised $800 during a single tag day.  Those local dollars provided the match to attract a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant for the construction of a $525,000 multi-purpose facility connected to the old storefront.  Today, the John F. Kennedy Center continues to provide services from this multi-purpose building.

 

Of all the health and social service programs operated by the John F. Kennedy Center over the years, services for children and seniors were always given top priority because the young and old seemed most vulnerable to the affects of poverty.  In addition, children and “old folks” were always especially close to Harrison’s heart. 

 

In 1997, the John F. Kennedy Center completed a $197,000 capital construction project that resulted in a 3,600 square foot addition to the multi-purpose facility to accommodate the increasing number of seniors being served.  The project matched $72,000 in local public grant funds to attract a $125,000 Pennsylvania Department of Aging Senior Center Capital Assistance grant.  The JFK Senior Center was dedicated by Richard D. Browdie, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, in January 1998.   

 

In 2006, the JFK-owned building located next door to the agency and known as PT 109, was made the City of Erie’s third Kids Cafe®.  In 2014, the facility was dedicated as the JFK Kids Cafe® Learning Center and today, it is used exclusively for children’s academic support and meal services. 

Today, the John F. Kennedy Center remains true to its mission to serve the lower income residents of the target service area by combating both the causes and effects of poverty.  Fifty years after opening, the John F. Kennedy Center continues the work of the agency’s original mission – to make a difference in the lives of lower income community residents.