SAN ANTONIO -- Edgar Villarreal’s walks to his safe haven used to be routine. Nowadays, though, they’re increasing rare.

What You Need To Know


  • San Juan Community Center the focal point of a West Side San Antonio neighborhood

  • Currently closed due to the coronavirus pandemic 

  • Community center offers gym, numerous other activities and services 

  • Summer youth program may still be a possibility 

“Man, it’s different. I mean, I remember just seeing all of the kids outside, screaming. I could hear them from here, but now it’s totally the opposite. Everything so quiet now,“ Villarreal says. 

 It’s silent in Villarreal’s poverty-stricken neighborhood because the coronavirus pandemic has closed the doors of San Juan Community Center - at least for now. 

San Juan rests in the heart of San Antonio’s West Side and has a mural that reads “peace in the barrio.” 

That’s what the community center has created for Villarreal - peace.

“We live down the street, so not having the gym really impacts because we can't do activities like we used to,” Villarreal says. “We can't have computers provided like we used to so it's kind of taking a big toll on us right now.” 

Villarreal has been visiting San Juan for 11 years, and he says it has kept him and his siblings out of trouble. 

“And now that I’m bigger of course, I’m a volunteer now; I’m a coach; I do stuff for the kids,” Villarreal says. “To just seeing their faces like when I was a kid, always wanting to come to the gym.”

Two of his mentees, Raul and Jose Isidro, are involved in San Juan’s sports and its seasonal camps, but the brothers admitted they haven’t touched a basketball in months.

“It's kind of awful ‘cause that was my last time playing basketball,” Raul said, standing next to his brother.  “Now ‘cause of all of this stuff, I just sit at home, play video games and that's about it.”

That’s been the same for Villarreal and his siblings, which is why they purchased a basketball hoop while they wait for San Juan to reopen. 

Although community centers city-wide are still closed, the Parks and Recreation Department says it has not ruled out the possibility of making available its affordable summer youth program. 

That’s something that excites Villarreal. 

“Awe, man, they are going to have a blast in there. Trust me,” Villarreal says. “I know I am going to come back and shoot some hoops, ya know?” 

That way San Juan can continue to bring peace in the barrio.