The Westside Community Center is a non-profit community-based organization whose members are committed to enhancing the quality of life of underserved citizens in our community. In June 1990, the formerly Old @estside High School closed its' doors, ending a nostalgic era in the life of the school and its' relation to community needs. In May 1991, a group of concerned citizens under the leadership of Dr. Beatrice Thompson, a former teacher, and counselor in the closed school, met and organized for the purpose of acquiring the abandoned school with the goal of renovating the facility designed to provide programs and services to assist in meeting the needs of citizens in an underserved community.

In September 1991, the group was formally chartered as a charitable non-profit organization with the help of many facets of the Anderson community, including Old Westside High Alumni, parents, teachers, concerned citizens, churches, along with the support and cooperation of local government, businesses and industry, and many other community agencies, most notably An-Med Health. Then, the work began. The proposed mission was to renovate the facility and house programs and activities determined to be most crucial in decreasing negative factors in the community and replace them with programs that would provide healthy growth and improved self-esteem along with self-sufficiency to assist in these proposed efforts. WCC formed partnerships with agencies willing to locate programs in the facility and work together as multi-service providers.

In August 1998, The Westside Community Center officially opened its' doors with AnMed Medical Clinic, an Anderson City Police sub-station, and an outreach program of The Anderson County Health Department. Renovations, services, and programs have continued to grow over the years, which led to the addition of more than 18 programs including child care, adult education, job training, counseling services, recreation programs, just to name a few. The success of these programs and their impact on the community has led to other improvements in the community including upgraded streets and infrastructure, improved community relations, improved coordination of community services, with one of the most obvious being improved housing with a large housing development that sits adjacent to The Westside Community Center.

We are proud of the successes that we have made since our opening in 1998 which is due to the commitment and hard work of the staff, board members, community support, and partnerships. However, we are still a "work in progress" and continue our mission to enhance the quality of life for citizens in our community. As we move forward, we continue to seek financial assistance for the improvement of our programs. We continue to seek funding through fundraisers, grants, and financial donations. We are most appreciative of everyone's ongoing moral financial support as we strive to achieve our mission of service and commitment to make a positive difference in the lives of citizens in our community, remembering that "together we serve".

A New Chapter for the Westside Community Center: Meet Dr. Treca DeShields

The Westside Community Center, known for decades as “the haven on the hill,” begins an exciting new chapter with the appointment of Dr. Treca DeShields as Executive Director. Dr. DeShields takes the helm of an institution built on a powerful legacy of transformation—one where a dilapidated schoolhouse was turned into a vibrant hub of hope and service under the pioneering leadership of founder Dr. Beatrice Thompson.

As she steps into this role, Dr. DeShields brings a vision that respects the deep roots of the past while reaching boldly for the future: "Vision Built to Vision Elevated." This guiding principle signifies building upon the solid foundation laid by Dr. Thompson and the community, while elevating the Center’s programming, partnerships, and impact to meet the evolving needs of the families it serves.

Dr. DeShields is no stranger to turning vision into reality. She is the Founder of Love Zone Ministries and The Zone, organizations dedicated to building trusting relationships with youth and families. Her journey is one of remarkable resilience; a near-death experience over 30 years ago set her on a path of service that has impacted communities across South Carolina. From establishing youth choirs and early learning centers to leading workforce development programs, her career reflects a lifelong commitment to empowering others.

A skilled Leadership Coach with over 20 years of corporate experience, Dr. DeShields also brings expertise in organizational strategy, helping teams close gaps and increase productivity. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Benedict College and a Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina, and her contributions to the community have earned her recognition as a 107.3 JAMZ Black History Maker and an MLK Community Service Honoree.

"We are standing on the shoulders of a giant with Dr. Thompson," says Dr. DeShields. "My goal is to honor the work that has been done by ensuring the Westside Community Center continues to be a place of transformation, opportunity, and love for generations to come."

Dr. DeShields invites the community to join her as the Center moves forward, building a bridge from its powerful past to an elevated future.

Please feel free to contact us at: westsidecenter@hotmail.com

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