By Alison Ahlgrim
East Madison Community Center
The East Madison Community Center (EMCC), located at 8 Straubel Ct. near MATC-Truax, has been providing social, educational, nutritional, vocational and recreational services for the northeast side community for almost 50 years with a small paid staff and 250 volunteers. EMCC is open seven days a week and offers more than 12,000 hours of programming annually.
All EMCC programs are free, including a computer lab, fitness center, after-school and summer youth programs for children ages 6‒18, and a twice-monthly food pantry. The EMCC youth programs promote positive youth development through leadership training, skill building, strong role models, positive values, fitness and nutrition, community service projects, cultural appreciation and mutual respect.
EMCC Youth Program hours are Monday 1:30‒8 pm, Tuesday‒Thursday 3‒8 pm, Friday 3‒9 pm, and Saturday 9 am‒5 pm. Each participant receives a healthy snack and a home-cooked meal daily, as well as homework assistance and mentorship. Structured youth programs include: the Minority Academic Proficiency Program (MAPP), the Positive Options Program (POP), Boys and Girls Development Groups, the Fit Youth Initiative (FYI), Alternatives to Violence, Creating Opportunities in Math, Engineering, Technology and Science (COMETS), the Kids Garden, Break Dance/Hip-Hop, and the Multicultural Arts Program.
The EMCC Food Pantry operates on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. The second Tuesday pantry hours are 3‒6 pm. The fourth Tuesday pantry hours are 12‒3 pm. The pantry also distributes clothing and household items. In addition, every day year-round EMCC operates a “free shelf” that includes perishable items, such as fresh produce, bread, milk, sandwiches and more. Adults are able to use the computer lab and fitness center, garden in the on-site community garden, attend monthly field trips, play Bingo or volunteer.
EMCC has a variety of gathering spaces available to rent for private parties, sporting events or meetings.
For more information about EMCC and its programs, visit www.eastmadisoncc.org or our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/eastmadisoncc, or call 249-0861. Feel free to stop in for a tour any time.