LONDON – As Proteus symbolically marked the end of one chapter and the start of another in the unincorporated community of London, one theme remained the same: a commitment to the people.
Although the Diane P. Hodges Community Center that had served the community of London for decades would soon be torn down, the mood was celebratory. Proteus employees, Tulare County officials and local residents gathered outside the building on March 20 for a dual demolition and groundbreaking ceremony. After all, a new and improved community center is set to take its place in just a few months.
“When you take a building like this that has a lot of memories and great things that happened, it’s a little bit sad to say goodbye, but I think the important thing is to remember that you have to get rid of the old to make room for something more exciting and better for the community,” Proteus CEO Michelle Engel-Silva said. “So that’s what we’re going to do here today.”
Before digging up dirt in front of the existing community center — which is located off Avenue 378 about five miles southeast of Dinuba — those present took turns whacking a sledgehammer into the side of the building. Once professional crews finish the demolition job, the center will be replaced with a larger prefabricated building that will help Proteus better serve the needs of the community.
Proteus Senior Planner Trinidad Rodriguez, who took on the role of manager for this project, said the community center will go from its current 1,000 square feet to about 1,400 square feet. It will have two private offices, whereas the current center is just one open space, and an indoor bathroom. The two outdoor bathrooms will be remodeled as well.
These changes will allow Proteus to expand the services it brings to London, said Connie Huerta, community program director for the London center.
“Here at the community center, we offer several programs focused on mental health prevention, drug and alcohol prevention and overall mental wellness,” Huerta said. “Everything we do is centered on a goal — providing support so that families can overcome barriers, succeed and live healthy and fulfilling lives.”
Rodriguez said Proteus was primarily looking to improve upon the space to allow for more privacy, as the nonprofit has mental health partners and even private clinics that would like to come out and provide their services.
“We’re trying to get as much as we can for the community of London to have access to one thing at one site, one location,” Rodriguez said.
The new community center was made possible thanks to nearly $300,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding allocated to Tulare County and awarded to Proteus through a grant process.
Proteus is aiming for the construction project to be wrapped up by the end of June. In the meantime, services provided at the community center will be available out of an office provided by London Community Assistance Program and Services.
Huerta said Proteus will continue to meet London community members where they are, assisting them with educational groups, youth programs and supportive services for things like applying for Medi-Cal or getting a driver’s license.
