The Connection

The Cathy Hudgins Community Center at Southgate in Reston is a vital, active neighborhood hub. Located at 12125 Pinecrest Road, Dogwood Elementary School, a Fairfax County Title 1 grant program school, anchors the community. According to the Virginia Department of Education, schools with high numbers or percentages of children from low-income families receive funding.

The 7,737-square-foot multi-service site opened on July 10, 2006. It is a Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services facility. It continues to provide a variety of diverse and supportive programming for all ages, from tots to seniors, including health and wellness, leisure and recreation, technology programs, and English as a Second Language.

The center is one of the locations for the Mobile Market Program by the Capital Area Food Bank, as seen on Saturday, Jan. 13.  The food bank delivers fresh produce monthly to high-needs neighborhoods throughout the D.C. metropolitan area.

A look back at 2023 shows that one of the year’s final events at the Cathy Hudgins Community Center at Southgate was the highly anticipated Elf Store. The center and Reston Community Church solicited contributions. Caron Anton is the chair of the Cathy Hudgins Community Center Advisory Council. She said that the Reston Community Church collected donations for the Elf Store that were new or gently used. Social media solicitations for Reston Association and Facebook pages had also asked for donations.

Volunteers and staff prepared the gymnasium the night before the Elf Store opened to attract young shoppers looking for free gifts for their parents and grandparents. Volunteers then wrapped the gifts for the children. Andy Sigle, an advisory council member, said that the Elf Store has been offered in the center for a decade and that “it’s been cool.”

The center recently released its calendar for the first quarter of 2024. Check The Connection’s Calendar for more information.

Fairfax County Neighborhood & Community Services, Cathy Hudgins Community Center at Southgate at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/neighborhood-community-services/sites/neighborhood-community-services/files/assets/documents/calendars/cathy%20hudgins%20community%20center%20calendar.pdf  to learn more.

Examples of Activities, January & February 2024

Tot Time

Friday, 10:15 a.m.- 11:45 a.m.

Please join us for our new tot time. This drop-in playgroup encourages caretakers, guardians, and preschool-aged children to socialize with one another. The center’s indoor gym will be open for free play. Toys, games, books, and music will be provided. Children must be always supervised by caretaker/guardians. 

Youth Zone After-school Program 

Monday-Friday, 3:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Homework help is available, as well as cooperative games, indoor/outdoor sports, board games, community service projects, cooking, arts & crafts, and more. Participants must be registered in the program.

Computer Clubhouse After-school Program

Monday-Friday, 3:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Make your ideas come alive at the Clubhouse Network. Hang out with friends, work on projects together and use exciting new technology. The Clubhouse Network provides a creative and safe after-school learning environment where young people work with adult mentors to explore their own ideas, develop skills, and build confidence in themselves, through the use of technology. Participants must be registered in the After-school Program.

Teen Zone and Clubhouse Homework Time 

Monday-Friday, 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Homework support, as well as cooperative games, indoor/outdoor sports, board games, community service projects, cooking, arts & crafts, and more. Participants must be registered in the program.

Teen Computer Clubhouse, Project, and Additional Homework Time

Monday - Friday, 6:15 p.m. –  7:45 p.m. 

Engage and make friends while sharing creative ideas and working on projects in the computer Clubhouse. Access to fun activities such as VR and XBOX games. If you have any ideas for new or updated programs, stop by the front desk.

Adults and Seniors Open Lab

Monday-Friday, Noon - 2 p.m. 

7:45 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.

Ages 19+, participants can use the computers to access the internet, email and print. One-on-one assistance is available. 

Teen Open Gym

Monday-Friday

Monday-Friday 2:30 p.m.- 3:45p.m.

Wednesday- 7:45-8:45 p.m.

Open gym schedule is subject to change. Please call the facility at 703-860-0676 for the most updated information.

Family Open Gym 

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 6:15 p.m. –8:45 p.m. 

Open gym schedule is subject to change. Please call the facility at 703-860-0676 for the most updated information.

Adult & Senior Open Gym 

Monday-Friday 9 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Open gym schedule is subject to change. Please call the facility at 703-860-0676 for the most updated information.

Adult Pickleball 

Tuesday and Thursday, 1pm -3pm

Pickle ball net, balls and paddles are provided. If you’re a beginner or a rising star, come out and meet new friends or hang out with your friends at our free court. 

All LEVELS WELCOME!!  

ESOL

Tuesday & Thursday, 10 a.m. – Noon, 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. 

Cathy Hudgins Community Center at Southgate will be offering beginner level English classes. Dates and times will be announced at the beginning of September. Registration will be required, and space will be limited. 

S.P.A.R.C

Tuesday & Thursday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Special Adapted Rescue Club is an accessible club for adults with physical & or development disabilities in support of their continued development of life skills.

Ping Pong Table Tennis 

Wednesday, Fridays, Noon – 1 p.m.

Open play for adults ages 18+ who are out of HS

ADULT AND TEEN CLASSES

Teen STEAM Club 

Thursday, 6:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m.

Building relationships and mutual love of learning about STEAM.  You can discover your creativity through STEAM and explore new ideas.    

Adult Basic Computer Skills Class

Monday, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Come learn and practice basic computer skills. Registration required and space limited. Call the center for more information and to register. 

Yoga for All

Monday and Wednesday, 10 a.m.-11 a.m.

All levels welcome to our gentle yoga.

(Wednesday Bilingual- Spanish)

Chair Exercise (Video) NCS

Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. 

Chair exercises for seniors, senior exercises at home, chair workout, seated workout, workout for seniors, chair leg exercises, senior shape, workout for weight loss, fat burning workout, workout at home, low impact workout, joint friendly exercises, silver sneakers, 10 minute workout, chair lower body workout, chair exercises, seated exercises for seniors, exercises for seniors over 60, chair yoga for seniors, no equipment workout, beginner workout, strength workout for seniors

S.A.I.L (Senior Class)

Tuesdays, 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

Stay Active for Independent Living (SAIL) is a strength, balance and fitness program for adults 65 and older. Performing exercises that improve strength, balance and fitness are the single most important activity that adults can do to stay active and reduce their chance of falling. The entire curriculum of activities in the SAIL program can help improve strength and balance, if done regularly. This meets for 12 weeks.  This program is free.  You must register and attend all sessions. Class has limited space.

Arthritis Class (Senior Class)

Tuesdays, 11:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Safe exercises to do here at the community center to reduce arthritis pain in your joints by reducing stiffness in back, shoulders and hips. These movements are designed to improve your strength and mobility. You can use a chair, for safety, and other equipment such as a towel or ball, and bands for your warm-up and workout. Learn to breathe through the movements to ease anxiety.

Music Lovers

Tuesdays, 1 p.m. 2 p.m. 

Oldies But Goodies Sing-along

Family Zumba

Wednesday, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Achieve your health goals and reconnect with your community with some Zumba dancing! Zumba combines Latin and International music with a fun and effective workout system. Perfect for everyone!

Adult & Senior Social Time 

Monday, 10 a.m. -2 p.m.

Please join us for our new adult social time. This drop-in group will include board games, bingo, arts and crafts and an opportunity to socialize. Light refreshments will be available. 

ESOL

Tuesday & Thursday, 10 a.m. – Noon, 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Cathy Hudgins Community Center at Southgate will be offering beginner level English classes. Dates and times will be announced at the beginning of September. Registration will be required and space will be limited. 

Community Meetings and Events 

Advisory Council Meeting

Tuesdays: February 6, 2024, 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Cathy Hudgins Community Center at Southgate Advisory Council Meeting will be held in person or virtually. Please contact the center for more information and for the meeting link. 

Capital Mobile Food Bank 

Saturdays: January 13, 2024, February 10, 2024, 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Cathy Hudgins Community Center at Southgate is one of the locations for the Mobile Market Program; this food bank can deliver fresh produce monthly to high-needs neighborhoods throughout the DC metropolitan area. 88 Mobile Market locations are currently operating in partnership with community organizations. Cathy Hudgins Community Center is proud to have this resource here in your community. These Mobile Market places are operated monthly in a farmer’s market style that distributes produce. They target high-density areas with high rates of food insecurity, spotlight community service providers and feature cooking demonstrations.

Family Dinner

January 19, 2024, 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

 Family meals eaten at home have been proven to benefit the health and wellness of children and make families stronger creating a positive impact on our communities. Come join us for a good meal and family fun.