Building Beyond Survival

For WCC, 2024 began under a deep cloud of uncertainty. The building was temporarily closed, finances were dismal, and many believed permanent closure was inevitable.

In May 2024, that uncertainty was met with a vision that refused to be rooted in fear or circumstance. By June 2024, more people walked through the building for its grand reopening than had in over a decade.

That moment marked a turning point.

Over the past 20 months, Westside Community Center has moved from financial uncertainty to sustained revenue growth at a scale rarely seen in legacy community organizations. Membership has doubled. Participation has grown steadily, with many individuals returning regularly and others walking through our doors for the first time and connecting with people they may never have otherwise met.

That is community in action. Growth marked by intentionality.

My tenure as Executive Director extends beyond my attachment to West Bartlesville and WCC, though both are deeply woven into my story. Professionally, my career spans business development, marketing, investment firm operations, organizational restructuring, and nonprofit strategy. I have managed budgets, overseen new ventures, led rebrands, and seen firsthand the consequences organizations face when they fail to adapt to changing conditions.

In the past year, many have watched with interest. Some with encouragement. Some with honest curiosity about where WCC is headed and whether it can truly thrive long term. Those questions matter, and they deserve a clear answer.

That is why we are inviting the community to gather.

On Saturday, January 24 at 3 PM, we will share where Westside is going and how this next chapter is being built.

For many years, WCC has been known primarily as an afterschool space for children. While youth remain important to our mission, that is no longer the full picture. As we move into 2026, WCC is intentionally expanding beyond a single program model into a place that serves youth, adults, seniors, and families through culture, connection, and shared civic life.

Facility renovations are a reflection of what is being built, but what is being built goes far deeper than a cosmetic facelift.

Our 75th anniversary year is not about celebratory tradition alone. This is a season rooted in stewardship, sustainability, and connection. A future that invites visitors to stop and stay longer, and gives residents a place to belong across life stages.

If you have ever wondered what Westside Community Center is, or what it can become, I invite you to come hear it for yourself.

Join us Saturday, January 24 at 3 PM.
The next chapter is being written now.