The Teri G. Muse Family Service Center is one step closer to a major expansion as Baldwin Park moves forward with plans to build a larger facility serving residents and local nonprofit organizations. City officials are advancing the long-planned project to meet growing demand for family services, food assistance and community programs.
The Baldwin Park City Council reviewed updated conceptual designs during its June 3 meeting and was asked to select a preferred option while authorizing the next phase of architectural and engineering work. The decision moves the project closer to construction after several years of planning.
Teri G. Muse Family Service Center Plans
The existing Family Service Center occupies approximately 5,150 square feet and serves as a hub where residents can access health and wellness programs, food assistance, counseling, educational resources and services provided by nonprofit organizations.
To accommodate increasing demand, the city is considering two replacement options. One proposal would construct a 12,000-square-foot one-story building, while the second calls for a 24,000-square-foot two-story facility. Both would be built on city-owned property adjacent to Morgan Park, replacing the current center while improving visibility and access from Laurens Avenue.
Preliminary plans include a main lobby, family waiting area, intake offices, executive boardrooms, a food pantry, clothing closet, celebration hall, kitchenette, outdoor gathering areas and expanded storage space. The proposed designs also incorporate accessibility improvements and architectural elements that complement surrounding civic buildings.
City staff said the expanded facility would provide additional space for nonprofit organizations and improve the delivery of services that thousands of Baldwin Park residents rely on each year.
Honoring A Lasting Community Legacy
The Teri G. Muse Family Service Center honors former Baldwin Park City Councilmember Teri G. Muse, whose vision helped establish a centralized location where residents could connect with multiple community services under one roof.
Muse dedicated decades to serving Baldwin Park through public office, business leadership and volunteer work. She played a key role in building partnerships between the city and nonprofit organizations, making it easier for families to access assistance close to home. Following her passing in 2023, the city continued investing in the center that bears her name as a lasting tribute to her commitment to the community.
Planning for the expansion began after the City Council identified the project as an American Rescue Plan Act priority in 2021. Since then, city staff have worked with SVA Architects, nonprofit organizations and community stakeholders to develop plans that reflect both current needs and future growth.
The project is supported through a combination of federal funding sources, including American Rescue Plan Act funding and congressional earmarks secured by former U.S. Rep. Grace F. Napolitano and U.S. Rep. Gilbert Cisneros. According to the city staff report, more than $4 million has been identified for planning and construction, with no impact on the city’s General Fund. Additional information about city projects is available at https://www.baldwinpark.com, while information about the American Rescue Plan Act is available at https://home.treasury.gov.
If approved, city staff will move forward with detailed architectural and engineering plans before returning to the City Council with future construction proposals. Once completed, the expanded facility will provide additional space for nonprofit partners while strengthening access to services that support Baldwin Park families and neighborhoods.
