Expansion Project Will Double the Size of Youth Center

For nearly eight years, administrators of the Hollenbeck Youth Center in Boyle Heights have sought to expand the facility, which caters to thousands of Eastside youths. Next month, construction will finally begin to double the size of the center.

“This is going to be a tremendous year for us,” said Danny Hernandez, the only executive director the 25-year-old youth center has ever had.

Final funding for the project, which is expected to be completed by summer, came last week when the Los Angeles City Council approved $200,000 for the expansion. That brought the total funding for the expansion to $900,000. Funding has come from individuals, foundations and government grants.

The 15,000-square-foot center currently features several offices and meeting rooms, full-court basketball, a boxing ring and several heavy- and speed-punching bags. The additional space will be used for more offices, a gymnastics area and a room for lessons in theater productions.

The center, which hosted 6,500 children in 1996, was in the news shortly before Christmas when thieves broke in and stole thousands of dollars worth of gifts.

“That turned out to be a blessing,” said youth coordinator Manuel Gallegos. A public outpouring resulted in more gifts than before the theft, as well as a new security system and a cash nest egg to get a head start on gifts for next Christmas, he said.