Great news!  Chocolate Storytime will have guest readers from the Black History Celebration Planning Committee housed in the Jackie Robinson Center starting in September.  The Jackie Robinson Center is a multi-purpose social service delivery center that provides assistance to the culturally, economically, and socially diverse population of the northwest area of Pasadena.

The 1974 dedication of this 17,800 square feet facility is of significant importance because the center is named after one of this country’s great African-American leaders, Jackie Robinson. Given the name of this community center, staff strives to address every problem, concern and/or situation with knowledge, compassion, dignity, and respect. The staff works with community based organizations and agencies that are housed at the center as well as independent resources to enhance the quality of the life for habitués.

In addition to health services, educational programs, legal and emergency income assistance, the center offers many recreational and cultural activities.  Major programs including Senior Citizen Day Camp, Annual Craft Bonanza Showcase, and the Gatekeeper Program for the frail elderly and disabled persons, are all coordinated at The Jackie Robinson Center.

The Center is named after Pasadena’s son, Jackie Robinson, who broke the color barrier by being the first African American to play baseball in the major leagues. The Jackie Robinson Center is also the home of several displays showcasing memorabilia from Jackie Robinson and from the Negro Baseball Leagues. The display was put together by the Baseball Reliquary which is “dedicated to fostering an appreciation of American art and culture through the context of baseball history and to exploring the national pastime‘s unparalleled creative possibilities.”

The Jackie Robinson Center is also the headquarters for the planning of the annual Black History Parade and Festival, one of the biggest and longest-running Black history parades in California.