by REBEKAH HARVEY
Megan Estrada has always had a heart for-at risk youth.
Estrada, founder, director and president of Hub City Outreach Center, attended South Plains College to pursue that love for children.
She grew up in Abernathy, Texas, 19 miles outside of Lubbock, and graduated from Abernathy High School.
After graduating, Estrada made the decision to attend SPC. She was drawn to SPC because of the small class sizes and the opportunity to build relationships with the professors. Estrada also enjoyed the opportunities for one-on-one learning from professors.
“I was drawn to SPC because they had services and resources for non traditional students.” explained Estrada.
While at SPC, Estrada majored in Child Development. She says some of her favorite moments at SPC were volunteering for the Autism Walk. She also enjoyed participating in community outreach.
“Some of the highlights I had while attending SPC were being involved in ACT, or Advocates for Children Today,” recalled Estrada.
After Estrada graduated from SPC, she transferred to Lubbock Christian University. She graduated from LCU in 2016 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Family Studies.
After graduating from LCU, Estrada began working in the human services field. She later founded the Hub City Outreach Center in Lubbock.
“Hub City Outreach Center provides prevention education to at-risk youth,” said Estrada. “Hub City has a clothing closet, hygiene closet, and free tutoring and volunteer opportunities for the youth we serve.”
Along with her bachelor’s degree in Family Studies, Estrada is also a certified Community Health Worker. For the past two years, she has been teaching students at Hub City Outreach Center through the curriculum to be successful.
Hub City Outreach Center uses curriculum to help students learn the skills it takes to stay away from drugs, alcohol and violence, and to rise above difficult situations. One of their intentions is to help students set and achieve goals.
“SPC taught me to strive for my goals and pursue my dreams,” said Estrada.
Hub City Outreach Center serves students between the ages of 4 and 17. The services provided by Hub City Outreach Center are free for families and students.
The services of Hub City Outreach Center rely on donations from the community for support. Hub City Outreach Center also accepts donations of clothes, shoes, school supplies and other items. All donations to Hub City Outreach Center benefit not only the children and youth but their families as well.
In 2018, Estrada was selected as the 2018 Hispana Inspiradora Award from the Hispanic Association of Women. The award highlights women who demonstrate outstanding work that benefits the community. Recipients are positive role models who exhibit leadership skills.
Outside of working at Hub City Outreach Center, Estrada enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing and spending time at the lake.
“I like to spend my weekends with my daughter and grandson, who are my world,” said Estrada.
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