Easton Area Community Center Turns 60

Some people call it the Easton Area Community Center.

Others use the name it's had for most of its existence: St. Anthony's Youth Center.

But whatever you call it, the building at 9th and Washington streets has had the same mission since 1953.

"We're still focused on the children," center director Anita Mitchell said Tuesday night, as the EACC celebrated its 60th anniversary.

Founded in 1953 in the basement of St. Anthony's church, the center moved to its current location in 1958, and counts Larry Holmes, Easton Mayor Sal Panto and wrestling star Jordan Oliver among its alumni.

It's still a place for kids to go after school. Only now, Mitchell said, there's more kids than ever before, with 100 children in the after school program, eating 4,000 dinners a month. 

"This year we're just packed," she said.

In addition to the after school program, the center has basketball and wrestling teams—the K-6 wrestling team turns 55 this year—as well as cheerleading and soccer programs. 

The center is also a place for adults: there are tax preparation classes on the first Monday of the month, pet clinics, have various events and meetings, and host annual city council meetings

If you want to get involved in the center, call 610-253-7242, or visit them online at www.eastonareacc.org.