Yamilé Nader Almonte discusses her documentary 'At the Center,' which showcases the vital role of the Hazleton Integration Project in bringing together the Hazleton, PA community. Here, she explains the inspiration behind her film and the significance of this community center.

“At the Center is a documentary about the Hazleton Integration Project, a community center in the city of Hazleton, PA. It’s an important place in the community because it opens its doors to everyone and anyone. If you’re looking for a place to volunteer, a place to find friends, somewhere you can seek for help in any way, that’s the HIP community center. I attend Maywood University. I study Multimedia Communications in Film, TV, and Digital Production (BA) and I’m going to be a junior in the fall. I wanted to make a documentary about the HIP center because I grew up going to the center, helping in the summer camp and the after school program every year. The center is more than a building, it’s a place where I have connected with many people, a place that believes in me. I saw how special the center was and wanted everyone to see how much it meant to me and to everyone in the community as well.”