Full Spectrum: Collinwood's Incubator

We seek $5,000 to jumpstart the development of this co-working and creatives focused community center on East 185th, in my neighborhood of Collinwood.

Full Spectrum is a facility concept that will provide communities with a unique blend of creative tools, technology, education, and Maker support within a community center. It can become a one­-stop destination in our community for entertainment, creativity, and self­-expression because of our focus on digital and next­-generation creative media. It is a membership-based concept where membership is free and access to the space is available at affordable flat prices.

The first Full Spectrum facility, GamerHaven, will be a games-culture focused space. Providing all the technology and resources needed to play games, make games, and appreciate gaming also supplies the resources for many other creative and productive endeavors. From document printing to games development, 3D printing to music & audio production, if it is a modern area of creativity or production, we will offer the tools necessary to support those kinds of expression. Education on how to use these tools in current daily life, as well as empowering young people to the possibilities of employment in fields reliant on creativity and technology, is a critical piece of making the concept something that creates positive impact on our community and is something we take seriously.

Because 818 East 185th has often served as a cafe, we will keep some of this functionality in the space as well, providing a cafe service during morning and evening rush hours. Part of Full Spectrum's concept is in supporting creatives doing their business, so all of the food services offered will be created by members; from coffee products using Blackwater Roasters' beans to baked goods from local bakers.

In order to begin development of this space, we need to secure the venue, begin to redevelop the space to be able to accomodate the tools and technology that would fill it, and acquire the principal tool in supporting small businesses in our neighborhood, a top-of-the-line Sharp multifunction printer. This $5,000 would begin our process of creating what we see as a powerful and modern resource that can bring together people of all kinds and empower Collinwood to continue in is growth.

1. Pay the first month of the lease (within 1-2 days of funding)
    
2. Paint and organize the space for the tools and technology (within 7-10 days of funding)
    
3. Acquire Sharp MX-3070 (or equivalent) Multifunction Printer (within 10-14 days of funding)
    
4. Have soft launch of GamerHaven, and 30 days after have full-launch with more robust technology offerings (within 21 days of funding)

I started developing this idea in 2006, three years after graduating from Collinwood High School and 2 years after marrying the love of my life. Video Games and creativity have been the most powerful drivers of growth and happiness in my life, and I have wanted to create a way for people who may not see the value in them like I did to be exposed to it.

I believe, more deeply than anything, that many times what prevents people from achieving the heights they seek is an inability to access the resources that would get them there. Nothing about the place I'm from held me back, nothing about being a person from here held me back, and the people in my community are all equally or even more capable than I am when given the chance to be. 

With Full Spectrum & GamerHaven specifically, I believe we can fundamentally change how we see ourselves. While it seems as simple as making a co-working space with technology and creative tools, by fusing kinds of art that rarely are put together and making the only barriers to access agreement of our principles (membership) and a low price, I think my neighbors will surprise me, and themselves, with just how much they can do when given the resources.