Our History
“Deeds, not words, lifting as we climb.”
Good Neighbors Club was founded in 1947 by Mrs. Minnette Sigby Smith, Mrs. Hattie Thornton, Mrs. Auntine Burney,
Mrs. Georgia Leeberry, Mrs. Hattie Williams and several other neighbors. It quickly grew to twelve members.
The Club was supported by and was headquartered at Allen Chapel AME Church.
Since 1965 the club has operated the Good Neighbors Club of Del Paso Heights Child Development Center (CDC).
Currently the center has eight full-time employees, four are residents of Del Paso Heights.
The childcare center serves up to fifty children.
Read more about our history by expanding the sections below
In the Beginning (1947 - 1951)
Mrs. Minnette Sigby Smith was the club’s first president. She served from 1947—1983, i.e., 36 years. Mrs. Johnnie Ruth Luster was the Club’s first Vice-President.
The club was founded as a civic club to improve the community of Del Paso Heights. In 1948, the first Clubhouse was purchased. It was located on Branch Street. This property was sold in 1958. While in this location, the Club sponsored Boy Scout Troop Number 157, whose scoutmaster was Mr. Rex Williams. Recreational programs for teenagers were sponsored monthly. They participated in the annual May Day Parade. The Club organized the first chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in the north area with 62 members. The Club raised $740.00 through a program called the “Book of a Thousand Names,” to assist Union Baptist Church erect the first church in Del Paso Heights. Other activities included exchanging handkerchiefs, Christmas gifts, and other community- based functions.
The club motto is: “Deeds, not words, lifting as we climb.”
Incorporation and Development (1951-1983)
The club was incorporated on November 5, 1951, as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Attorney Nathaniel Colley, Sr., drafted the documents. The club was officially known as THE GOOD NEIGHBORS CLUB OF DEL PASO HEIGHTS, INC. In addition to other members, Mrs. Queenola Walker, Mrs. Johnnie Ruth Luster, Mrs. Odessa Calhoun, Mrs. Marzetta Nurse, and Mrs. Alpha E. Echols signed the incorporation papers.
In 1965, Mrs. Essie M. Brown (Green), their Club Parliamentarian, Mrs. Bettye J. Hausey, Chairperson of the Club’s Ways and Means Committee, with the assistance of club members and friends, wrote a proposal for a comprehensive childcare program. As a result, the Good Neighbors Club applied for and obtained a license from the federal government to provide a “Head Start” program. The initial grant was for $51,519.00. Mrs. Essie Brown (Green) would later serve as the first Executive Director for the Club’s childcare center.
The Good Neighbors Child Care Center was officially opened on November 28, 1965, at Allen Chapel Church. It provided preschool education for 52 children. The Center employed a staff of 12, all residents of Del Paso Heights. For the first five years, the Head Start program was operated out of churches, schools and other facilities, as available.
In 1966, Good Neighbors Club, received the Elizabeth Brown Cup, from the California State Association of Colored Women’s Club, Inc. They also received the Hannah Solomon Award. In April 1968, Good Neighbors Club purchased three (3) lots on the corner of Morey Avenue and Knightlinger Street for a future childcare center.
In 1973, the Good Neighbors Club applied for and received a license from the California Department of Education, to operate a “Child Development Center.” It was licensed for 32 children. On April 13, 1985, a mortgage burning was held at Allen Chapel AME Church, to mark the last payment on the lots purchased in 1968. 125 members and community supporters attended. Keynote speaker was Dr. Esther Nelson, President of NAACP.
The Path Forward (1983 - Present)
After years of devoted services, Mrs. Smith stepped down as President of the Club in 1983.
Mrs. Mamie Jennings served as club president from 1983—1995, i.e., 12 years.
In 1989, through partnership with the City of Sacramento and the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency, Good Neighbors Club obtained construction loans to erect the facility located at 3700 Knightlinger Street. The Good Neighbors Club’s Minnette Smith Child Development Center was dedicated in 1992. The Good Neighbors Child Development Center has provided uninterrupted community childcare services in this facility, to date.
In 1995, Dr. Ollie R. Mack, Jr., was elected Club President and currently serves in that capacity.
Ms. Karen Gifford was hired as Executive Director of the childcare center in 2001. The childcare center remained open and provided childcare services for children of front-line responders during the COVID pandemic of 2020. Under Ms. Gifford’s guidance and leadership, Good Neighbors Child Development Center (CDC) earned a 5-star rating from the California Department of Education. This exceptional educational rating has allowed Ms. Gifford to apply for and receive multiple educational grants. These grants funded physical upgrading of the Center and funded programs which enriched the children’s educational advancement and experience. Today, Ms. Gifford and her CDC staff continue to provide quality childcare services in the Del Paso Heights community.
In 2014, the Good Neighbors Club presented the first GNC scholarship to high school seniors graduating from Grant High School. Since its inception GNC has awarded more than $10,000 in scholarships to high school seniors. In 2020, GNC established the Auntine Burney Continuing Education Scholarship to support undergraduate college students. To date, GNC has awarded $3000 in scholarships from this fund. The Minnette Smith Community Service Award is presented annually to an individual who has made a significant contribution toward the stabilization and improvement of Del Paso Heights.
In 2023, GNC Child Development Center expanded its’ childcare services to accept toddlers, in addition to preschoolers.
In 2024, GNC collaborated with the Alta California Regional Center (ACRC) to provide child development services for children with special needs.
In 2025, after years of effort from the Board of Directors, the City of Sacramento forgave GNC’s two outstanding promissory notes, released two deeds of trust, and reconveyed the title for 3700 Knightlinger Street to the Good Neighbors Club of Del Paso Heights. After 36 years, GNC regained full ownership of its property.
In 2025, GNC partnered with the City of Sacramento and American River College to offer internships for students specializing in Early Childhood Development.
Good Neighbors Club of Del Paso Heights Child Development Center currently has eight full-time employees, four are residents of Del Paso Heights. The childcare center serves up to fifty children.
