About Us
Our Mission
The Wade Center provides a safe, creative place for at-risk elementary school children to receive after-school help with their homework, reading and math skills, and computer proficiency. Three tutors and volunteers assist them, and local professionals provide weekly classes in art and music, as well as devotionals. We serve the students healthy snacks and dinner, and the children go home on Thursdays with a bag of easily opened and prepared food for the weekend.
Our Roots
"In the heart of the community with the community in our heart"
Located in the heart of Bluefield, West Virginia, near the intersection of routes 52 and 19, the Wade Center provides the perfect strategic location to meet the needs of the greater Bluefield Community.
In 2005, we formed a nonprofit group to raise funds to purchase and restore the former Wade School building. This large facility includes a cafeteria, gym, theater, and 6 classrooms. The Wade Center has repurposed the classrooms into spaces for computer labs, art classes, tutoring, game room, clothing closet, backpack supply closet, and more.
The Wade Center was created to alleviate hunger, poor leaning outcomes, and the emotional stresses experienced by families living in poverty. In Bluefield, WV (population 9,648 according to the 2020 Census), we live with the effects of an economy and population in decline for decades. Census data indicates that 20.6% live in poverty. Approximately 80% of households have a computer, but less than 70% have internet access. There are currently 50 students enrolled, and we maintain a waiting list. Approximately half are minorities, and many are in foster care. We do not charge fees to their families for our services.
The Wade Center does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted by the Wade Center.