Paul Leavy | The Valdosta Daily Times Robert L. Jenkins, left, with Valdosta Mayor Sonny Vickers and Lowndes County Commissioner Joyce Evans at the ceremony dedicating the community center in his name Friday at Hudson Dockett.

VALDOSTA — The Robert L. Jenkins Community Center in Hudson Dockett held its dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday morning on Fry Street.

“We’re confident that lives will be made better because of the work that goes on here inside of these walls,” said Mark Stalvey, Executive Director of the Valdosta Housing Authority.

According to Stalvey, for years the focus has been on assisting children with things such as after school programs. But now with the new edition to the back of the community center, they will start to focus on the adults as well. With assistance in job readiness, job field training and education, the goal is to get Hudson Docket residents into the work force.

“By having these extra classroom spaces, especially during the day when the kids aren’t here, we’ll be able to do that a lot more efficiently,” said Stalvey.

The improved community center is now a total of 4,500 square feet since the edition of 2,000 square feet onto the back. The renovations—which included things like fresh paint and a computer lab—to the building cost approximately $200-$250,000.

Robert L. Jenkins, Chairman of the Valdosta Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, was present at the opening and upon arrival was not aware that the community center was being named after him. It wasn’t until the wind blew off the cover of the sign during a solo, song performance by Patricia Lanier, that the secret was revealed.

“It’s a great honor,” said Jenkins. “I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Mayor Joseph “Sonny” Vickers of Valdosta spoke very highly of Jenkins as not only a friend of many years, but as a professional.

“He’s very dedicated to the housing authority and to the residents trying to make things better,” said Vickers. “Robert has earned the respect of the community.”

According to Stalvey, the revamping of the community center is just the stepping stone to improving the entire community of Hudson Dockett. The Housing Authority has plans to steadily breathe life back into the community by giving the houses a facelift by completing exterior upgrades.

“Nothing has been done since the mid to late 80’s here,” explained Stalvey. “So it’s part of our master plan to go through and do exterior uplifts.”