The Southside Community Center, where newcomers to the United States can find help in gaining self-sufficiency, opened March 25.

The center, operating under the auspices of Migration and Refugee Services of Catholic Services (MRS), is located in south Atlanta’s Grant Park area. It will provide services to the growing number of newly-arrived refugees and immigrants who live in a surrounding two-mile radius. The center is at 1296 Park Ave.

Father Don Kenny, chancellor of the archdiocese, blessed the one-story brick structure March 25. Following the blessing, MRS hosted an open house and luncheon for visitors.

According to Pam Buckmaster, director of Catholic Social Services, funding for the program will be from the Georgia Department of Human Resources and individual donations. Mrs. Buckmaster said Bui Van Tam, program director for migration and Refugee Services has enlisted the support of Georgia Power and Southern Bell with the cost of utilities.

Working with Catholic Services to expand the Refugee Resettlement Program in Grant Park was Julio Hernandez, of Hernandez and Staley Investments. The firm, which owns Grant Park Apartments, renovated two apartments, knocking down walls to reconfigure the space, and contributed two years rent free. Renovations cost $12,000.

Total Research and Management, Inc., helped in the conversion to office and classroom space.

The center will be staffed by two paid employees and volunteers.

The center staff will act as liaison between the newcomers and service agencies in the city. These agencies will provide such assistance as classes in English as a Second Language, child care certificate training, health care, employment counseling, and children’s services.

The St. Vincent de Paul Particular Council through its mobile thrift store will provide access to used clothing and food for those with emergency needs.

Save The Children will provide maternal health care instruction and St. Joseph’s Hospital Mercy Mobile Unit basic health care services during regular visits.

Most of the newcomers in the area are Vietnamese refugees, according to Rhoda Donnelly, volunteer coordinator for MRS. Residents in the Grant Park Apartments are 60 percent Hispanic and 40 percent Southeast Asians.

The San Felipe de Jesus Catholic Mission serving Hispanics in Grant Park opened in November, 1992. Father Jorge H. Christancho is in charge of the mission at 402 McDonough Boulevard. Mrs. Buckmaster said it is expected that the two centers will work closely together.