It’s been a long road &045; and the journey is still not over &045; but the newcomer’s center planned by Community Action has finally opened its doors. After hopes for nearly $100,000 in grants went down the drain this year, courtesy of state budget problems, the center has managed to scrap together $6,000 to get started. It will need to raise more money if it’s to survive for long.

The center provides a valuable service. It will help newcomers make connections in the community, making them feel welcome as well as giving them a practical head start. For now, because of the budget shortage, it will be open two days a week.

Community Action and the other supporters who have worked to get the center off the ground are worthy of praise. It would have been easy to give up when the state grant, and Family Service Collaborative money tied to it, was denied. But they did not give up.