October 9, 2001

The Houston Department of Health and Human Services (HDHHS) will sponsor ribbon-cutting ceremonies for two new multi-service centers opening in Denver Harbor and Third Ward.

The ceremony for the Denver Harbor Multi-Service Center, 6402 Market Street, is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 12, at 10:30 a.m. The ceremony for the Third Ward Multi-Service Center, 3611 Ennis Street, will be held Monday, Oct. 15, at 10:30 a.m.

"The goal of the multi-service centers is to offer residents access to a comprehensive mix of services close to their homes," said Jules Dedeaux, division manager of multi-service center operations at HDHHS.

Multi-service centers gather a number of fragmented social services and a variety of agencies into a single facility that is easily accessible to the community. Agencies within the center collaborate to ensure services are delivered effectively and conveniently.

The new facilities will bring the total number of HDHHS multi-service centers to nine.

Dedeaux said the department is finalizing contracts with various agencies that provide nutrition services, youth programs, senior citizen activities, family counseling, child and adult day care, drug and alcohol abuse counseling and other support activities. Services are expected to begin in early November.

The Denver Harbor MSC will open with only the first floor completed. The second floor will be completed next year, increasing the facility’s space to 58,500 square feet. When completed, it will accommodate 10 to 12 agencies. A gymnasium will include recreational programs coordinated by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.

The Third Ward MSC will focus on providing day care services for senior citizens and children. It will include a 400-seat auditorium, a feature designed to attract lectures and other similar events to the community.

In addition to the day care services, the 35,000 square-foot Third Ward facility will house three or four agencies.

Both centers count with multi-purpose space available for rent by community groups or the public for meetings, banquets, receptions, seminars or workshops. The space will be available to non-profit groups at discounted rates.