OUR HISTORY

Neighborhood Centers of Corpus Christi traces its roots back to a missionary program established by the Federated Missionary Society on November 3, 1926. Originally, the program focused on afternoon Sunday school and Church School services led by members of the Missionary Society. Children attended Sunday services, where they were read Bible stories and offered prayer. In return, they would return the next day to receive two loaves of bread for their families.

As community needs evolved, the program sought new ways to provide outreach. From 1941 to 1942, surveys and studies were conducted to assess the neighborhood’s needs, leading to a shift toward a Community Settlement House model, similar to those on the East Coast. This initiative not only provided education for a predominantly Latino population but also promoted racial understanding, basic healthcare access, and cultural enrichment.

On May 6, 1946, the organization was formally incorporated as The Community Settlement House of Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Texas under Texas state law as a nonprofit. A charter amendment on March 9, 1955, expanded its mission and aligned it with the National Federation of Settlements and Neighborhood Centers, increasing the Board of Directors from three to a range of nine to thirty members.

To better reflect its expanding services, the organization changed its name on August 9, 1965, to Neighborhood Centers of Corpus Christi, Texas, under which it continues to operate today.

OUR IMPACT TODAY

Neighborhood Centers of Corpus Christi remains committed to serving economically disadvantaged families by providing early childhood education and youth outreach programs. We currently operate: 

• Four Learning Centers on the west side of Corpus Christi, serving children ages 0-5 with quality care and education.
• Two Recreation Facilities designed for youth ages 8-18, offering safe, engaging environments:
  • A full gym with low-cost recreation activities in the summer and family engagement events during the school year.
  • A boxing gym and club, giving youth the opportunity to train and compete in amateur boxing.

Both recreation programs are open to the public and aim to provide positive outlets for youth in our community.

As a Charter Agency of the United Way of the Coastal Bend, we continue our mission to empower and uplift families through education, recreation, and community support.