W.C. Young Community Center

Operational since 1976, the W.C. Young Community Center (formerly the Paducah Community Center) was organized as the result of a survey of need in the city's housing rehabilitation program. Its name was changed in 1996 to W.C. Young Community Center to honor the founder and lifelong labor leader whose legacy was to address the issues of poverty, war and injustice with forthrightness, understanding and nonviolent actions. Mr. Young served as president of the center until 1990, when he was succeeded by Shirley McCauley Bunch. A volunteer board operates the center with no financial support from government. It is a non-profit agency whose funds come from the rental of the building and from the 8th of August Emancipation Celebration. The 8th of August Emancipation Celebration activities include a memorial service, open house followed by a reception, annual breakfast, parade, food court, vendors, and entertainment.