The K.L. Simon Community Center opened its doors on Sunday, marking a significant milestone for Youngstown’s South side community. The Center, located within the 100-year-old New Bethel Baptist Church, honors the vision of the late Rev. Lonnie K.A. Simon and his enduring commitment to community empowerment.
The facility, renovated from an older sanctuary, aims to serve as a hub for unity. The Center hosted a ribbon-cutting event where more than 100 community members, elected officials, and leaders gathered to honor the $320,000 center, representing a year of vision and planning.
Rev. Kenneth L. Simon, pastor of the New Bethel Baptist Church, emphasized that the Center embodies a mission to serve beyond church walls. Built-in the church’s historic sanctuary, the facility accommodates 250 to 300 people and supports various community events.
Funding for the K.L. Simon Community Center was secured in mid-2023. $250,000 was raised to begin the renovations. By late 2023, construction started transforming the space into a versatile hub for outreach and connection.
The pastor’s assistant, Rev. Theodore Brown, described the Center as a blessing and an opportunity for impactful outreach. Local leaders Mahoning County Commissioner Anthony T. Traficanti and Mayor Jamael Tito Brown praised the Center’s role in revitalizing Youngstown.
For Rev. Kenneth L. Simon, the Center honors his late father, Rev. Lonnie K.A. Simon, who pastored between 1962 and 1995. A civil rights activist who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the elder Simon urged congregants to leave a lasting impact on their communities. Though nearly complete, the K.L. Simon Community Center requires additional equipment and system upgrades to reach total operational capacity.
