The West Modesto Community Center houses many Stanislaus County services, including a medical clinic that will open Monday. Other offices are either open now or will be open by June 1.

The building is owned by developers Cardoza & Soranno Inc., and leased by the county. George Badal Commercial Architects designed the building.

It includes:

• The Paradise Medical Office, for adults, teen-agers and children. The clinic is run by the Stanislaus County Health Services Agency.
• A branch of the Women, Infants and Children program, where pregnant women and mothers of children 5 and under can learn about nutrition and pick up vouchers for healthful foods.
• A Community Services Agency office, where people can get information about welfare benefits and other services.
• A branch of the Probation Department, with officers stationed there.
• A Behavioral Health and Recovery Services office, where children can get counseling. Adults can get information about counseling and programs designed to help kick drug and alcohol habits.
• A branch of the Adult Literacy Project.
• A branch of the Department of Employment and Training, where people can use a computer to search for jobs.
• Teen Life Challenge, a program dedicated to preventing teen pregnancies.
• The Children and Families Commission, which decides how to spend tobacco tax money.

Reprinted by permission of Modesto Bee.