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, Inc. promotes and strengthens families and communities by offering education, health, recreation and cultural enrichment programs.
Our Vision
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.
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
Lady Cathy Reevers
Member
Lady Cathy Reevers
Honorary Member
JACKIE HONORE-ELAM
CHAIR
Chair, Gailen and Cathy Reevers Center for Community Empowerment
Executive Vice President, Amazing Grace Conservatory
Executive Master of Leadership, University of Southern California
Former Center Director, Los Angeles Job Corps
Consultant, National Office of Job Corps
Recipient of the Award of Excellence
San Francisco Regional Office of Job Corps
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
HELENA WILLIAMS
Treasurer
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.
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
Dr. Jolan Smith
Member
Jolan Smith, Ph. D.
California State University
jolansmith@gmail.com
Stephanie Farmer
Executive Staff
D’Ann Morris
Member
D’Ann Morris, MPA
Associate Director of  Generation Xchange
David Geffen School of Medicine
Dr. Kim Benjamin
Member
Dr. Benjamin is an LAUSD Educator.
She works with the Division of Instruction as a Reading Education for Acceleration and Differentiation (READ) Expert.
Florence Bracy
Member
Autism Advocate
Education includes studying at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon
California State University at Los Angeles and University of California at Los Angeles Â
Bachelor of Arts, Speech Communication and is certified in Public Relations, Special Needs Advocacy and Paralegal Studies
Interagency Coordinating Council on Early InterventionÂ
Member  of the Autism Community Workgroup, a collaboration with the Universities, Regional Centers and Community Organizations
 Congressional Commendations from the City and County of Los AngelesÂ
Anthony Williams
Member
Anthony Williams
LAUSD Parent and Community Engagement Outreach Parent Educator Coach
alwinla@aol.com
Tori Crisostomo-Rickman
Member
Community Engagement Research Analyst
University of California-Los Angeles
Our Donors & Partners
The Gailen & Cathy Reevers Center is dedicated to promoting youth development, strengthening families, and building healthy and safe neighborhoods.
Our Events
