About Us

Our Mission

The mission of the Southside Community Center is to foster the development of self-esteem and positive values in its young people by maintaining a wholesome relationship between staff and youth, and offering relevant youth development and delinquency prevention programming.

Our History

Following the Agnes Flood of 1972, Federal Urban Renewal monies were made available to help Elmira get back on its feet again. At that time, Council Representatives felt it was necessary to open a recreational facility on the south side of Elmira for all young people, with the hope of preventing delinquency by providing a place for them to go.

In 1976, an agreement was made between the City of Elmira and the Elmira City School District to lease a portion of Parley Coburn School for twenty years. The Alpha wing was then remodeled into a recreational facility to be named the Southside Community Center. After many productive years with the School District, the lease then expired and the Center needed to close its doors and find a new home.

With a lot of hard work and support from the community, and fortunately for the children and families in the area, a new Southside Community Center was built in 1996 right behind Parley Coburn School. The Southside Community Center, the Board of Directors, and Staff are all proud to celebrate years of serving the youth in our community.