What’s Happening!
Our community. Our center.
For over 20 years, the West End Community Foundation has collaborated with the City of Durham and DPR to support the West End community through the Community Family Life and Recreation Center at Lyon Park.
In 2025 alone, we served 43,803+ Durham residents through youth programs, wellness initiatives, food assistance, and community-centered services.
We recently received notice of a proposed budget recommendation that would end this partnership and terminate our lease agreement with DPR.
Our center is more than a building; it is a vital community hub for West End families and residents.
A CALL TO ACTION! WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!
ACTION 1 — Email Durham City Council
Send an email to the Durham City Council urging them to restore funding for the Community Family Life and Recreation Center at Lyon Park in the FY 2026–2027 budget. Share how the center’s work connects to you or your organization and the people you serve. Personal stories and community perspectives make a real impact.
ACTION 2 — Show Up at the Budget Hearing
Date & Time: Monday, June 1, 2026, at 7:00 PM
Location (In-Person): Durham City Council Chambers 101 City Hall Plaza, Durham, NC 27701
Virtual Option: You may attend and comment virtually via Zoom. Register using the Zoom link at the top of the meeting agenda by 2:00 PM on June 1st. View the meeting agenda (Zoom link at top): https://www.durhamnc.gov/AgendaCenter/City-Council-4
Want to Give Public Comment? Your presence is powerful, even if you don’t speak. A full room sends a message. If you’d like to give public comment:
- In person: No advance sign-up required. Upon arrival, fill out a yellow Speaker Request Card at the City Clerk’s desk in Council Chambers.
- Virtually: Register via the Zoom link on the meeting agenda page by 2:00 PM on June 1st. https://www.durhamnc.gov/AgendaCenter/City-Council-4
ACTION 3 — Support by Donating
Your financial support helps ensure that the West End Community Foundation can continue its work, regardless of what happens to the City’s budget. During this uncertain time, community contributions are more important than ever. Every gift, large or small, goes directly toward sustaining the vital programs that are essential to the community.
Donate online: https://thewecf.org/fundraising/
Donate by check: Make checks payable to “West End Community Foundation, Inc.” and mail to: P.O. Box 51398, Durham, NC 27717
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Welcome to the Community Family Life and Recreation Center at Lyon Park! We extend a warm invitation for you to participate in the various activities we have to offer.
Established a century ago, our center originally served as a school for African-American children in Durham’s West End neighborhood. Thanks to the West End Community Foundation, Inc., it has been rejuvenated and transformed into a modern facility featuring amenities such as a gym, auditorium, computer lab, meeting rooms, and a diverse range of programs, from summer camps to a health clinic.
Feel free to visit us. Bring your children, bring your neighbors. Engage in a game of basketball, dance in our studio, or organize a gathering. Stay connected by signing up for our e-newsletter and exploring our social media presence.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Your generous donation helps us continue to uplift and empower our community through programs that educate, inspire, and connect. As a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, your gift is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Thank you for investing in a stronger West End!
