AROUND THE PARISH

Jewel J. Newman Community Center Re-opens With New Interim Community Director

The Jewel J. Newman Community Center re-opens with new Interim Community Center, Gregory Handy. Handy is a retired ExxonMobil employee and lifelong resident of the Scotlandville community. "I am relieved Mr. Handy has agreed to accept this position. He has a lot of work cut out for him, but I believe he is well equipped to resolve all the issues concerning the center,” said Councilwoman Chauna Banks-Daniel.

Upon receiving clearance from the fire inspection office, a wedding and reception was held at the center on Saturday that had been booked for several months.
“Carl Slaughter was instrumental in helping the community center get to this point. I want to thank him for his 34 years of service. Now, the focus is moving forward." Bank-Daniel said. A wall mural depicting the community center's legacy, serves as inspiration for the interim director and advisory board to make the Jewel J. Newman Community Center sustainable.

Handy, affectionately known as "Coach Handy" is willing and ready to serve the community as a servant of the people and to establish the center as "A Place For All".

Individuals or groups with 2013 rentals are asked to call the District 2 office at (225) 389-8331 to confirm their place on the calendar. They must have proof of a contract and deposit having been made. "The staff will market the center in a way to make sure it is accessible to everyone from our children to our seniors. I am optimistic, the center may very well be back to being the “center” of the community,” Banks-Daniel said.