Pink House Neighborhood Resource Center

ain event as her ‘baptism’ – an immersion into and awareness of the reading challenge that confronted the youth of her bible study class. Reading for Reverend Christian King was as natural as breathing, so with her natural love and concern for others, she could not allow herself to stand by doing nothing to address the situation. With brave determination and the meager personal funds of her husband Kelvin and herself, she took on
the daunting challenge that has resulted in a learning center/Neighborhood resource Center dedicated to
teaching the fundamentals of reading and reading comprehension with an emphasis on community service. From a ‘baptism’ The P.I.N.K. H.O.U.S.E. (People Innovating New Kinships thru Helping Others
Uplift Services and Education) was born – the year was 1997. King and her husband began the Herculean task of renovating a dilapidated building in the neighborhood. When funds and faith ran low, she only had to remember those kids who faced almost insurmountable
odds against success – single parents most often holding down two jobs leaving aging grandparents
to provide after school care. The Pink House opened its doors officially in January 1999. The program has proven itself by an overwhelming
success record. Popular with its students and volunteers which include a well-trained cadre of
teenage volunteers – standardized school tests are measurably higher among the Pink House students. One of its student volunteers has received national recognition for community service and is currently enrolled
in Benedict College after having earned several well-deserved scholarships. Several are now college graduates or attendees giving back to the community. The Pink House has helped to transform lives as it provides a safe, enjoyable, fun after-school learning
environment during the school year. It continues its mission with a full day program during the summer. The need for this facility cannot be over-stated as a haven from the hustle and struggle of the streets, of
teen drug dealing, early pregnancy, and violent crimes.