Our History
How it all Began
A long-standing dream of East End United Community Center (EEUCC) was the development of a community center building with the mission to provide cultural, educational, and recreational facilities and enrichment programs for the residents of the Uniontown Area School District and surrounding neighborhoods, especially those residing in the East End section of Uniontown.
Striving to Realize a Dream
After the death of Martin Luther King in 1968, several key individuals in the Uniontown area were moved to carry on his vision locally. In the early 1970’s, the Fayette County People for Progress was formed at John Wesley AME Zion Church at the eastern end of Main Street. Out of the movement evolved the Conference on Black Basic Education for the entire state of Pennsylvania. In 1975, the group also formed the East End United Community Center and operated after school and employment/training programs in the former East End School building, a decommissioned elementary school given by the Uniontown Area School District. The Center’s founders felt strongly that the word “united” be prominent in their name in that it represented cooperation among all groups -- racial, ethnic, economic, religious, etc.
A Safe Environment
Many young people attended regularly and found the Center a safe environment where tutoring and homework help was provided. The academic support was
designed to stimulate self-reliance and a sense of shared accomplishment. Many
stories of student accomplishment came from this period. EEUCC helped inspire,
and was the model for, many of the tutorial enrichment programs that came later
in Fayette County.
However, the ongoing maintenance and heating bills for an old school building
made it a burden for a small community center budget. The building was ceded
back to the school district and was subsequently burned down.
In 1985, the Center moved to 395 East Main Street, a former 2-story Victorian
house given to the Center, at low cost, by the City Redevelopment Authority.
Here, we have continued to carry out our mission, provide a safe and stimulating
environment for young people and work toward the improvement of our
neighborhood.
A New Building, A New Dream
In August of 2008, thanks to the hard work and generosity of many community members, a new center was dedicated on Coolspring Street in Uniontown. The project was spearheaded by Joseph Hardy, whose initial $700,000 contribution led to a fundraising effort that helped complete a million dollar facility that will benefit the community for many years to come.
| Date | Milestone |
| 1968 | The death of Martin Luther King, Jr. sparks increased interests in social issues. |
| 1970's | The Fayette County People for Progress is formed at A.M.E. Zion
Church in Uniontown The Conference on Black Basic Education for the State of Pennsylvania |
| 1975 | East End United Community Center is formed and housed at East End School in Uniontown |
| 1985 | The Center is moved to a two story Victorian home at 385 East Main Street in Uniontown |
| 2007 | Groundbreaking on a new facility takes place on March 31st, 2007 |
| 2008 | East End United Community Center's new home is dedicated at 150 Coolspring Street |
| 2008 | EEUCC announces the addition of Highmark Foundation's "Our Caring Corner" program |