Highland Clubhouse
Community space to create a healthier Highland neighborhood
Leader
Krista Ehasz
Location
111 Grove Ave. Niagara Falls, NY 14305
About the project
The goal of this project is to create a community space where neighbors of all ages are welcomed for activities and education. The Wish House will be an incubator for connection, bringing together residents and community partners to host programming that will benefit the community. The Wish House is about fulfilling the wishes and dreams of residents in the North End by equipping and empowering them with the tools needed to achieve their potential. The demographic desired in this area would be residents of the North End, however programming will be open and available to residents citywide.
The suggested land use for this focus area would be a mixed use building with classrooms, office space, studios, a large community room, and a kitchen. The yard on the side of the building will be utilized for gardening and play. The Highland Clubhouse will be a welcoming community center that offers large, open space available at low cost for community events, a computer room, a kitchen, office space, classrooms, laundry.
Classroom space will be open for community education and special events. Regularly scheduled programming will include: cooking classes, Community Currency, sewing and life skills, kids yoga, exercise, dance classes & family planning, media creation and production, on-site babysitting, and civic education classes. There will also be open hours for community kitchen and laundry usage. We will offer to host any programming provided by community partners that is in need of a venue and support.
The Steps
1. Fundraise to cover costs
2. Purchase and obtain property
3. Environmental testing
4. Begin rehabilitation of building
5. Near completion, invite community members to help paint and decorate
6. Furnish and complete the space
7. Open for the community to offer workshops, classes, office, kitchen, and laundry space and more!
Why we‘re doing it
The Highland Community has been without a community center since the one on Centre Ave. closed down many years ago. Teen pregnancy rates are extremely high in this neighborhood and people are frequently asking for more activities for youth to keep them occupied. We need a welcoming space for youth and families with lots of programming and options!