Warren-Sharpe Community Center: Empowering South Side Youth Through Nutrition and Education
For decades, the Warren-Sharpe Community Center on South Joliet Street has served as a safe haven and resource hub for children and families. Under longtime leadership rooted in the neighborhood, the center pairs daily after-school programs and food pantry access with hands-on community gardens that teach nutrition, respect, and civic pride.
Founded by the late Kathleen Bolden and directed by Kay Bolden, the Warren-Sharpe Community Center at 454 S. Joliet Street continues to anchor the South Side with vital grassroots programs. Serving dozens of neighborhood children daily, the center offers homework assistance, hot meals, computer lab access, and a warm, supervised environment outside of school hours.
In addition to emergency food pantry distributions, Warren-Sharpe is recognized for transforming vacant urban lots into vibrant community gardens. Through partnerships like OLI Gardens’ "Beyond the Sacrifice Garden," local youth participate in planting, tending, and harvesting fresh produce—gaining practical nutrition education while dedicating green spaces to Gold Star families and community reflection.
