The newest Lite House Partners, Inc. Activity Center has not only opened in a College Park area where children need it the most but is named in honor of a state lawmaker whose focus has been on improving the lives and educational opportunities and achievements of youngsters.

A standing-room only crowd of more than 100 joined District 44 state Sen. Gail Davenport, D-Jonesboro, Riverdale Mayor Evelyn Wynn-Dixon and College Park Councilman Joe Carn in ceremonies dedicating the Lakeview Trails Apartment Homes Lite House Partners activity center to District 34 state Sen. Valencia Seay, D-Riverdale.

Lite House Partners is a non-profit organization which provides free after-school and summer camp programs to the low income youth living in local apartment communities. The program featured the public speaking and musical talents of numerous children living in the apartment complex.

Following the children, Wynn-Dixon gave a inspiration address focusing on her life and how she pulled herself up from being a homeless, poverty- stricken mother, who did not know where her next meal would come from, to earning a doctorate and becoming mayor of Riverdale.

At the conclusion of her address, she gathered more than 15 children who lived in the Lakeview Trails Apartments and led them in saying repeatedly, “I am somebody.”

According to Lite House Partners, Inc. Executive Director Melvin Morris, whose goal is to have a Lite House Partner community activity center in every apartment complex nationwide, the center is designed to show children living in apartment communities, “that other people in the community, outside of their mother, father or guardian, care about them.”

“The Lite House Program is designed to keep kids out of trouble and gives them something constructive to do,” Morris said.

Seay, who sponsors a young ladies baton program called “Twirl Girls,” which gives scholarships to these young ladies to further their education through their baton-twirling skills, was overwhelmed at not only having the Lite House Partners activity center in her legislative district but have it named in her honor.

“This center will not only allow kids in apartment complexes to have a safe place to get homework done and receive a snack but also be provided with academic tutoring,” the senator said.

“Lite House represents a life-line for working people and it gives them a safe alternative having their children involved in latch-key situations,” she added.

Morris said the 1,600-foot activity center will offer the youngsters a computer lab, a music appreciation program as well as mentoring and tutoring opportunities.