The Nelson Heights Community Center played host to a fish fry and “mothers meeting” Friday night as the community prepares to make use of the center for a second year.

Washington Street Community Center Bea Jackson, whose organization oversees programming for the Nelson Heights center, hosted the meeting to get the community involved.

“It’s kind of like a town hall for mothers of all kinds, mothers, grandmothers, god mothers,” Jackson said Thursday before the event. “We’re going to sit down and talk about what direction we want to take with center, in addition to the after school tutoring. I want to get the community’s feedback on what they would like to see and garner their support for programs.”

Covington councilwomen Janet Goodman, Ocie Franklin and Hawnethia Williams attended the event along with Sheena Berry, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Newton.

Around 250 fish were fried up for the event and served with bread, cole slaw, corn and hushpuppies.

“I hope this will be the first of many meetings in the community,” Jackson said. “We’re trying a new approach.”

Programming at the Nelson Heights center — located at the intersection of Laseter and Puckett streets in Covington — will start up after Labor Day.