Named after educator and community advocate Yarborough Henry Thomas, the Y.H. Thomas Community Center is a joint city and community facility dedicated to providing a fun and safe environment for area residents to play, learn and grow.
Center programs include various sports activities and educational programs; adult only and women-only gym hours; an annual trunk or treat Halloween event where car enthusiasts bring their cars and distribute candy to kids at the center; an annual Thanksgiving Day dinner; annual holiday celebrations; an annual elementary school prom where elementary school age kids can take part in having prom-like fun.
The center is housed in the former Y.H. Thomas Junior High School, which was originally built for black students and closed in 1968 after desegregation. In 1992 neighborhood organizers approached Hampton City Council about turning part of the school building into a community center. City Council agreed to pay for renovations if the community would staff the center with volunteers.
Today, the Y.H. Thomas Complex includes a mix of city and community organizations, including the community center, Hampton Roads Committee of 200+ Men, Hampton Clean City Commission, Urban League of Hampton Roads, the city’s Office of Emergency Management and Division of Fire & Rescue offices. The building is maintained by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.
Rental Information
Community and private groups can rent parts of the center, including the conference room, multi-purpose room, and gymnasium.
Volunteer at the center
Volunteers are welcome at the center. Share your time and talents by tutoring, greeting visitors, helping with special events and more.
The Y.H. Thomas Community Center works closely with a number of city and community organizations, including the Hampton Family YMCA, the Hampton Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Hampton City Schools, Hampton Police, the Foodbank of the Virginia Peninsula, and First Baptist Church of Hampton.
To learn more about the community center, call 757-727-1200.
Facility Use
Community and private groups may use Hampton Parks and Recreation Department facilities when they are not scheduled for use by any department of the City of Hampton. To ensure the availability of rooms, any user requesting more than a single reservation may be granted a facility use permit for no more than 15 consecutive uses.
