By Kathy Chouteau
Corrine Sain, an ardent advocate of the North Richmond Multicultural Family and Senior Center for more than 50 years, will be celebrated at an event Thurs., June 9 when the center is renamed in her honor.
Set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the center, 515 Silver Ave. in Richmond, the event will mark the moment it officially becomes known by its new name: the “Corrine Sain Senior & Family Community Center,” per a statement from the Community Housing Development Corporation (CHDC).
The program portion of the open-to-the-public event—which will include Richmond Mayor Tom Butt and Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia—will begin promptly at 11:30 a.m. Community members can opt to join the renaming event virtually via Zoom here.
Sain was cited by the CHDC as having “worked tirelessly to shift stereotypes surrounding aging” and encouraging a greater number of aging adults “to embrace their older years by leading a healthy, fulfilling life while contributing to their communities.” CHDC added, “To highlight her commitment it is fitting that the center bears her name.”
Donald Gilmore, executive director of CHDC, said that the CHDC Board of Directors voted in November 2021 to honor Sain, “who has built a reputation for her dedication and community involvement in North Richmond and the surrounding Bay Area.” He shared that the plan to rename the building after her was spearheaded by local leaders “who have witnessed her dedication to ensuring the center remained accessible to the community and able to attract future generations of participants.”
The center will also feature an Open House during the event, where community members can learn about new services being rolled out, such as a food pantry and technology room/computer lab.
The soon-to-be-named Corrine Sain Senior & Family Community Center’s overriding aim is to connect with low-income families and seniors, per CHDC. Aside from offering community members access to an array of crucial services and local partnerships, it stands as “a gathering place for people to socialize, receive educational opportunities, have fun and discover the joys of life.” Noting that the center is the heart of family recreational activities in North Richmond and beyond, CHDC said this is especially true for people over the age of 50.
For more info about the work of CHDC, click here.
