Yerwood Center History

In 1934, the Union Baptist Church asked Dr. Yerwood to help members from Texas raise money for its Building fund. She gathered young African American teenagers and young adults in their early twenties formed a chorus, and produced the operetta "Yokahoma Maid." This group became the nucleus for the conception of the Community Center. The group remained together as the "Negro Little Theater." Rehearsals were in her home until time for training in drama and presentations. She borrowed space from the Elks Hall, Union Church Community House, Hart School, Stevens School (where the present Center sits), and Richmond House (now non-existent).

The demands for performances of the chorus increased and numerous concerts were given. The group consisted of a mixed group of male and female voices, a male chorus, and a male quartet. They performed singing, drama, and dance music, which varied form spirituals and religious, opera, classics, blues and jazz. During the 300^th birthday (the Tercentenary), "The Negro Little Theater" performed daily in all programs of the week, presenting the "History of the Negro" in the parade with its beginning float filled with costumed singers depicting "The Negro Slave." Newspapers described the pantomime and spoke highly of the "Singing Float." They sang radio, in Stamford and Bridgeport and in numerous churches and auditoriums in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey.

World War II increased the demands for more social services and a nursery was established at the Union Church Community House by way of the Big Sisters, now the Girls Club. The Big Sisters nursery project was supported by federal funds, which came to the group also. There was a director and cook who provided food for balanced diet lunches for the children. Meanwhile, the "Little Negro Theater" was demanding its own place showroom. A Young Men’s Community Club was independently formed into a basketball team and competed at the Elks Hall, giving apart of its proceeds to the Broad Street Group. The storefront became the "Negro Community Center" and a committee of adults was formed to give it direction. Many young men were taken to war and one young lad, Marjorie Johnson, joined the Red Cross.  The organization was formally incorporated as the Stamford Negro Community Center on May 19, 1943.

After two or three years, the committee for Negro community Center recognized the need for more specific visible direction. The Jewish center loaned its stage for rehearsals, the 1^st Methodist Church loaned its basketball court, yet the programs within the Center were too varied and population of youngsters too great for the storefront.

A small letter campaign brought in enough funds to purchase property at 66 West Main St. on which existed a tire recapping business with a bar in the rear. The tire shop was renovated by youngsters and parents and consisted of a lounge, small office, snack bar with a kitchen and a barn used for dances. A Board of Directors was formed, applications made for Community Chest support, and the first Director employed. In the later forties, the Yerwood Women’s Club was formed, a campaign for a building conducted and a Men’s club, Club 15, formed to pay the mortgage. They did this by presenting "Broadway to Stamford" shows for 12 years. The chorus changed its name to the Yerwood Chorus and on January 25, 1950 the Center became the "West Main Street Community Center."

In 1970, the present dream came true when a property exchange was documented with the city for the Steven’s School property, a campaign was instituted, and $2,000,000 building blueprinted by a black architect, Robert Wilson. Mercede and Sons turned over the keys in 1975, and at its formal opening, its new name "Yerwood Center" was announced. As many as could be contacted of the original "Negro Little Theater" came to that dedication and sang with Dr. Yerwood directing (who was on crutches because of a fractured ankle). They presented her with a golden necklace watch and 39 American Beauty roses, representing the 39 years she worked so hard for them in education, housing, jobs, and upgrading. Her late husband, Dr. Joseph Carwin, was cited for his participation with her. 

During the 70’s and 80’s the Center continued to thrive providing programs for youth and adults from Stamford’s West Side community.  During the 1990’s the Center went through a challenging period.  A revitalization campaign was started in 2000 to expand programs and renovate the facility.  A strategic alliance was created with the Stamford YMCA in 2001 enabling sharing of facilities and personnel, and more importantly creating a common vision of the future. In the past four years use of the Center has grown more than tenfold.  The Yerwood Scholars elementary students after school program now has over 50 students daily; the L.E.A.D. after school program for middle and high school students run in collaboration with the YMCA has over 100 students. Basketball and soccer leagues keep our gymnasium fully scheduled all winter long.  The computer laboratory is used weekly by over 300 students and 200 adults.  This year’s summer camp is projected to have over 100 students.  Our Hispanic outreach efforts, begun in 2002 in response to the changing demographics of Stamford’s West Side community, now reach over 300 individuals weekly.  When one adds the special events held at Yerwood such as the annual Christmas party, Kwanza celebrations, youth tutoring programs, and Martin Luther King Day celebrations, one can feel the vitality and energy in the Center. Over 2000 people walked through the Yerwood Center doors in 2003! 

And the facility has improved greatly.  The gym has been renovated, new locker rooms added, 13 new heating and air conditioning systems installed, and new painting, carpeting, and flooring installed throughout the facility.  This summer a new larger parking lot will be built in front of the facility, and the pool will be refurbished.    

The Yerwood Center is back, serving the needs of Stamford’s West Side community!