Once again, the Vallejo Community came together on Saturday and created a day of inspiration, motivation and collaboration. The newly, “Watch Me Grow Inc.” community center was vandalized, which shocked the community and took us by surprise. This community center is one that is much needed for our community and children. Our children need a safe place to gather to just be children. Our children need a place to express their feelings and emotions to help cope and deal with life stresses.

Growing up in the city of Vallejo back in the day, there were always activities for children growing up. We had the North Vallejo Community Center, that offered cooking classes, sewing classes, pottery classes. The community center also offered all types of dance classes (Modern dance, African dance, Contemporary Dance) just to name a few. The community center was a place where it also had dances for high school students. There would be a small fee to attend, but boy did those dances represent all parts of the town. Then there was the Continental Omegas Boys Club. This was the place where everyone gathered after school to hang out. Whether it was doing homework, attending performing arts classes, working on craft projects or just sitting around reading books or talking to your friends, it was a safe place. It was also where we all gathered on a Friday or Saturday night and enjoyed some good music and danced like we were on Soul train. Man, we looked forward to those dances. Every little neighborhood in Vallejo was represented at those dances.

The “Watch Me Grow Inc.” Community Center is a value to our community. The Founder/Owner Jameelah Hanif has put in lots of work to make her dreams come to fruition for this community. She has worked tirelessly with community leaders to increase the safety for our children and give them a space to feel safe. This community center will offer Web Design, Photography, Coding, Podcast, Tutoring, Cooking, Graphic Design, Screen Printing, Creative Writing and so much more.

The “Watch Me Grow Inc.” Community Center will be an asset to our city. Saturday was a day of coming together. There were dozens of community leaders, union workers, businesses and non-profit organizations who came together, picked up a paint brush and got busy. The center has color coded rooms that stem from green, blue, pink, orange and so on. I would like to shout out all the helpers I came in contact with: Lamar Griffin/Shavonne Griffin (Sole Pickles), Jeff Valdez, Marcus Simpkins, Brad Brown, Clarence Martin, Fatima Hanif, Mireya Deleon, Carlos Flores, Patricia Flores, Iman Hanif, Lula -Momma, Ryan Lexing, Paul Lamb, Brad Myers. I am sure there were more helpers than what I have stated, and we the community appreciates each and every one of you. Thanks to all who brought donuts, senorita bread, coffee, orange juice and monetary donations. IT TAKES A VILLAGE