To the Editor:

An article in the Dec. 17-23 issue of The Smoky Mountain News states that the Pigeon Center in Waynesville serves “the black community and ... underserved populations.” In fact, the programs offered there draw many of us who belong to neither of those groups. 

Changemakers for Racial Understanding is a joint project with Grace Episcopal Church, facilitated by trained leaders from the Center for Participatory Change. Members of “Lift Every Voice,” both black and white, are collecting the history of the African-American community in Haywood County, and this program offers internships to history students at Western Carolina University. The Pigeon Center board is very diverse. 

I believe anybody who’s been there will agree that the Pigeon Center is a place of open-hearted community where all are welcome.

Sara Jenkins

​Lake Junaluska