From the start, the mission was clear: help people help themselves. That message was more than a slogan. It guided early programs like legal aid, youth recreation, family support, and job readiness. The City of Rock Island supported the Center by providing administrative help with payroll, HR, and planning. That partnership meant more of the Center’s resources could go directly to the people it served. The Center became a nonprofit in 1977, and in 1985, it was made an official city department.

What began as a small team has grown into a staff of 18 full-time employees serving more than 20,000 people every year. The Center runs after-school and summer programs, family support services, youth prevention education, and signature events like Soul of the City and the Dr. King Service and Awards.

The building has also evolved. Today it includes colorful murals, updated classrooms, and a STEAM Lab with 3D printers. The Ida Robinson Banquet Room, named after a longtime staff member and volunteer, remains a gathering place for community events.

Executive Director Jerry Jones, who joined the staff in the 1990s, has focused on building the internal systems needed to keep growing and serving more people. Staff like Carlos Jimenez, who has worked at the Center for over 30 years, continue to shape its programs. Carlos and his team reach about 2,000 teens each year through health and prevention education.

The MLK Center was built by the community, for the community. That has never changed. It’s a place where families find support, kids build confidence, and neighbors come together to create something better.