NEWARK -- Mayor Ras Baraka on Friday will open the latest location for his citywide Centers of Hope initiative, where adults and children have access to an array of services ranging from arts and athletics programs to financial literacy and job readiness training.

The new center is housed in three apartments at the Pennington Court Housing Complex, 190 South Street, in the East Ward, where Baraka will hold an 11 a.m. news conference.

Baraka announced the Centers of Hope initiative in March 2015, and since then the city has opened seven locations in city-owned, or previously vacant buildings, at recreation centers, in all five wards.

"This is not a rec center, " Baraka said at the time. "This is a center of opportunity."

In an announcement of Friday's opening, the city said the new center will offer, "a schedule of after-school programs, classes, workshops and services throughout the year, including but not limited to: healthy living, tutoring, computer and financial literacy, athletics, arts & culture, academic enrichment, job readiness, and computer/graphic art training."

Like other locations, the Pennington Court center will be open Monday through Friday.

But, the city said in the announcement, "Unlike its predecessors, the Pennington Court site will be housed within three remodeled adjoining apartments, providing direct access to services to a previously underserved community."

The centers are operated and staffed by the city Division of Recreation, Department of Health and Community Wellness, and non-profit organizations.

For more information on the South Street center or other locations, call 973-733-6400, or visit the Centers of Hope page on the city web site.

Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveStrunsky. Find NJ.com on Facebook.