The City Council voted unanimously to name the new community center at Henson Village the Emmett McLoughlin Community Training & Education Center in honor of the late community and social activist.

The Emmett McLoughlin Community Training & Education Center is a part of the HOPE VI Project located at 1150 S. Seventh Ave. in the Henson Village redevelopment area. The center is available to all community members from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and offers job placement and training opportunities as a Phoenix Workforce Connection One Stop Career Center. The center has a computer lab, training classrooms and drop-in childcare services for clients while they are using facility services.

During the Depression, McLoughlin ran a day nursery for children of working women and a sewing room where women made clothes and quilts that were distributed in the neighborhood. He also was instrumental in applying for federal funding for the construction of the Matthew Henson public housing projects, which opened in 1940. The first public housing community for African-Americans, Matthew Henson provided a sanitary, clean and safe environment. Due to his dedication and unyielding efforts, McLoughlin was appointed by the mayor as the first chairman of the Phoenix Housing Authority in April 1939.

“McLoughlin worked hard and tirelessly to help many people of various races in the inner-city of Phoenix. Many families and individuals still remember the wonderful things he did,” said Councilman Michael Johnson.

In late January 2006, the Phoenix Heritage Commission recommended the name to the City Council for consideration. The Heritage Commission was established in 1999 to develop guidelines and review proposals for the naming or renaming of city facilities. Facilities may be named after individuals, living or deceased and/or a geographic landmark or area.

For more information about the Emmett McLoughlin Community Training & Education Center and the services offered, call 602-534-2043.