The Don Bosco Community Center Story
The Don Bosco Community Center was created and built by residents of Northeast Kansas City who wanted a safe place for their children. Don Bosco officially opened its doors on September 8, 1940 to begin a long tradition of providing a nurturing environment through recreational and educational programming. The agency's decades of service has led to its purpose, "Helping People Build Better Lives."

It all started in the late 1930's with the Italian community in Columbus Park. Money and property were donated, and members of the Holy Name Society and of the community all pitched in with their individual talents. They built the Center from the ground up, brick by brick. From the time the cornerstone was laid, the Don Bosco Community Center took one year to build. When it was completed, the Don Bosco Community Center became the focal point of the Columbus Park community.

In the 1950's, things began to change in the community and at the Don Bosco Community Center. Men who came back from World War II and the Korean War moved to the suburbs, and new people moved into the Columbus Park area. Many were displaced Europeans. Don Bosco began to offer English classes and other assistance. The 1960's brought more changes. Don Bosco became heavily involved in the Vietnamese resettlement program, which evolved into the agency's Nationalities Refugee Resettlement Center (this Center was transferred to Jewish Vocational Services in 2003). In 1986, the Senior Center was built and in 1990, the Counseling Center was added to this list of services. Finally, in 2000, the Charter High School was established.

The Don Bosco Community Center is now comprised of six interrelated centers - a comprehensive social service agency that works to address the daily issues and needs of the residents of Northeast Kansas City.