Our History
The Gailen & Cathy Reevers Center for Community Empowerment is a symbol of vision, dedication, and commitment brought to fruition by the faithful members of Lincoln Memorial United Church of Christ. In 1999, Lincoln Memorial Church decided to reinvest in the community by developing the Lincoln Family Life Center, a 501(C) 3 non-profit public charity organization to improve the quality of life for at-risk children and youth and to alleviate the economic and health disparities that impact underserved individuals and families in the community of South Los Angeles.
In July 2017, the Lincoln Family Life Center was officially renamed by its governing board of directors to the Gailen & Cathy Reevers Center for Community Empowerment (GCRC). While the Center bears a new name, its mission and vision remains constant and reinvigorated.
Our Mission
The Gailen and Cathy Reevers Center for Community Empowerment promotes and strengthens families and communities by offering education, health, recreation, and cultural enrichment programs.
Our Vision
We envision South Los Angeles as a safe, healthy, thriving, culturally empowered and inclusive community where obstacles that imperil health and wellness are disabled, while opportunities that promote socio/economic well- being, academic success, civic engagement and arts and cultural awareness are enabled.
About Our Community
The Gailen & Cathy Reevers Center is dedicated to promoting youth development, strengthening families, and building healthy and safe neighborhoods.
We envision a community that fosters a caring and nurturing environment–where children and youth have access and opportunity to maximize their full potential; where families are unified through sustainable resources; where physical health and well-being are prioritized; and where community pride is a common and shared experienced.
Our Staff & Board
We envision a community that fosters a caring and nurturing environment–where children and youth have access and opportunity to maximize their full potential; where families are unified through sustainable resources; where physical health and well-being are prioritized; and where community pride is a common and shared experienced.
Reverend Gailen Lionel Reevers
FOUNDER
Reverend Gailen Lionel Reevers
June 14, 1949 – May 8, 2021
Cathy Reevers
Co-Founder
Lady Cathy Reevers
Honorary Member
HELENA WILLIAMS
Chairperson
Helena Williams, RN BSN
University of Southwestern Louisiana – BSN
Retired from County of Los Angeles Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center
Served on advisory panel for development of COVID-19 Vaccine. Participated in clinical trial for AstraZeneca COVID vaccine.
Participated in UCLA pilot clinical studies on the effects of fresh fruit and vegetables in the prevention of colon cancer.
YVONNE ANDERSON
Executive Director
Executive Director
CSUN – Master of Public Administration in Public Sector Management and Leadership
State University of New York Bachelor of Science Business Management
Studied  at Spelman College
Possess strong skills in Finance, Â Program Evaluation, Human Resources and Non Profit Management
Dr. Kim Benjamin
Vice-Chair
Dr. Benjamin is an LAUSD Educator.
She works with the Division of Instruction as a Reading Education for Acceleration and Differentiation (READ) Expert.
Dr. Jolan Smith
Member
Jolan Smith, Ph. D.
California State University
jolansmith@gmail.com
Reverend Wendell Miller
Recording Secretary
Reverend Wendell Miller, Pastor,
GCRC Recording Secretary
University of Alabama at Birmingham – Bachelor of Arts
Interdenominational Theological Center. Atlanta, GA – Master of Divinity
Senior Manager of Operations at Black AIDS Institute (BAI) the nation’s only HIV/AIDS think tank focused on confronting HIV in Black Communities.
BAI conducts trainings, does capacity building, develops HIV policy, conducts HIV testing and linkage-to-care and provides social services all from a uniquely and unapologetically Black point of view.
Reverend Miller ensures the smooth running of BAI from day to day.Â
James Smith
Member
39th Postmaster – Los Angeles, CA (Retired)
Owner & CEO
Executive Communication Services, Inc.,
A Direct Mailing Firm
Founder, James A. Smith Postmaster Education Foundation
Stephanie Farmer
Executive Staff
D’Ann Morris
Member
Associate Director of  Generation Xchange
David Geffen School of Medicine
Tori Crisostomo-Rickman
Research Assistant
Tori Crisostomo-Rickman
Student Intern
University of California-Los Angeles
Anthony Williams
Member
Anthony Williams
LAUSD Parent and Community Engagement Outreach Parent Educator Coach
alwinla@aol.com
Our Donors & Partners
The Gailen & Cathy Reevers Center is dedicated to promoting youth development, strengthening families, and building healthy and safe neighborhoods.
Our Events
Our Awards
Community Grantee
Jordan Brand’s Community Grant Program
The Gailen and Cathy Reevers Center for Community Empowerment (GCRC) in South Los Angeles, CA, has been selected for a one-time grant from Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand’s Community Grant Program, an initiative of its joint 10-year, $100 million Black Community Commitment (BCC), created in 2020.
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Jordan Community Grants are awarded once a year to grassroots, non-profit organizations that are driving action and leading sustainable solutions to improve Black lives in their neighborhoods. As part of the 2023 BCC Community Grant cycle, and in honor of Michael Jordan’s 60th birthday, $2.3M in grant funds were awarded to 48 organizations, including GCRC, with a local connection to the initiative’s four key focus areas of economic justice, education, narrative change, and social justice. Building on the BCC’s efforts, GCRC will use the grant funds to take action through its Justice Not Jails restorative program. Justice Not Jails helps residents disable disparities that impact their well-being with the criminal justice system and the mass incarceration of people of color. In addition, Justice Not Jails raises the awareness and engagement of the community to seek criminal justice reform.Â
Justice Not Jails
Credit/Debt Clinic April 2023
Credit/Debt Clinic May 2023
