History
The Near Northside is a historic community located just north of downtown Houston. Like many other nearby neighborhoods, the Near Northside has begun to gentrify. Strong civic and community organizations, including Wesley, are working to help current residents stay in the neighborhood by offering financial education and developing affordable housing.
Wesley was founded in 1904, by a group of women from the nearby First United Methodist Church. Many of the families across the bayou were led by widows whose husbands had died working in the nearby rail yards. The women’s group was motivated to build a community center to help lift up those families. Today at Wesley Community Center, we’re building on that foundation of caring for those most vulnerable. Wesley’s mission is investing in the potential of individuals and creating opportunities to strengthen families and neighborhoods
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1904 - 1904
Near Northside mission established by Methodist women
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1942 - 1942
Methodist Women’s Houston Board of Missions incorporated as a nonprofit
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1960 - 1960
Wesley House dedicated at 1410 Lee Street
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1974 - 1974
Barbara Jordan Day Care Built – Wesley selected to manage Day Care Center
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1976 - 1976
Wesley becomes a United Way agency
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1984 - 1984
After School “Latch Key” program begins
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1988 - 1988
Wesley serves homeless population through a grant from Campaign for the Homeless
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1991 - 1991
Reba Veal Henderson Food Cooperative opened
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2004 - 2004
Wesley Celebrates 100 years
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2012 - 2012
Wesley opens Kurtz Education and Recreation Center
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2015 - 2015
Wesley brings Early Head Start back to the neighborhood welcoming children starting at 6 weeks of age.
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2018 - 2018
Wesley unveils new logo an branding to reflect its many programs working together to create a whole.
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2021 - 2021
Wesley opens the Adult Education program to address the needs of clients seeking GED classes, Digital Literacy, and career exploration for young adults.
