Merced College will celebrate the opening of the new South Merced Center with a community event from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, at Stephen Leonard Park.
The City of Merced selected Merced College to lease and operate the Stephen Leonard Youth Center earlier this year. Following extensive renovations, the new South Merced Center (at 640 T Street) will bring a Merced College presence directly into the community, creating a neighborhood access point for education, workforce training, youth and family programming, and student support services.
The Sept. 29 celebration will introduce residents to the new center and will include games, food, prizes, and free T-shirts for the first 500 attendees. The district is in the process of hiring a director for the center, which will be fully open beginning Sept. 30.
“This partnership with the City of Merced creates an incredible opportunity to bring Merced College directly into the South Merced community,” President Chris Vitelli said. “We want this event to feel like a true celebration, and we hope our South Merced neighbors and families will come see the new center, enjoy the evening and share in the excitement about what this can become for South Merced.”
As part of the planning process for the center, Merced College commissioned a survey of South Merced residents to gauge community interest and identify the types of classes, programs and support they want most.
In the survey, 75 percent of respondents said they or someone in their household would use the center once it opens, with the strongest areas of interest including job training and skills development, college-credit courses, health and wellness classes, College for Kids, and support services such as financial aid assistance, study space, resume and interview workshops, digital skills training, and career counseling.
Merced College Trustee Carmen Ramirez, who grew up in South Merced, said the center represents an important investment in a neighborhood where access to education and support close to home can make a meaningful difference.
“For South Merced families, having Merced College show up in this way matters,” Ramirez said. “This center tells the community that their goals, their children and their future are important. I am proud to see the college and the City of Merced working together to create a place that can open doors for residents for many years to come.”
The partnership aligns with Merced College’s Educational Master Plan and the strategic goal to expand outreach, serve new populations and establish a brick-and-mortar presence in South Merced. The center is expected to launch initial services this year, with additional programming shaped by community input, available funding and partnerships.
“One of the most important parts of this project is making sure we’re creating something the South Merced community values, as we’re in it for the long term,” said Vice President of Human Resources Kelly Avila, who has helped lead planning, facility readiness and external funding efforts for the project. “The survey helps us understand those priorities and gives us a strong foundation as we prepare the facility, pursue additional funding, and work with our partners to bring the right programs and services to the center.”
Based on the survey results and ongoing planning, initial offerings are expected to focus on access, outreach and connection to existing Merced College programs and services. The center is intended to give residents a welcoming neighborhood location where they can learn what is available, ask questions, and connect with the right next step.
“Our goal is for residents to begin exploring what Merced College can offer in a place that feels welcoming,” said Joe Serena, Dean of Instruction. “Whether someone is interested in classes, College for Kids, workforce training or student support, this center will help make those opportunities more visible and easier to access. We are grateful to the City of Merced for its partnership and excited about what lies ahead.”
The South Merced Center is located within Stephen Leonard Park, near neighborhood amenities including a playground, splash pad and Sheehy Elementary School. Community members are invited to attend the Sept. 29 celebration from 5 to 7 p.m. and learn more about the South Merced Center at www.mccd.edu/southmercedcenter.