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About USThe mission of the Miracle on Craig Street is to root a culturally competent network of resources and opportunities focused on wellness for children and families. We were founded in 2015 as a grassroots collective of neighborhood residents that wanted to create a positive change and impact in our hometown. We have since expanded to become a non profit organization that is focused on health and wellness through physical activity, food and farming, and personal development and healing. We provide programming for youth summer sports leagues, yoga in the park, self care workshops, a community gardening project, and a poetry series.
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The George Washington Carver Center History
The Carver Community Center was founded at the Craig St. location towards the end of the civil rights movement in Schenectady, NY in 1969 as part of the George Washington Carver Leagues. During its time, Carver incubated and established many resources in the city of Schenectady that are still present today including but not limited to Hometown Health, New Choices, and SCAP. In 2013, Carver Community Center closed down leaving a void in the Hamilton Hill Neighborhood.
In August of 2015 the Carver Community Center went up for auction for the first time since it had closed its doors in 2013 for $150,000. We--a group of community activists, also residents of Hamilton Hill, collectively decided that we would not just watch another thing come and go in our neighborhood. Many dedicated and motivated residents took the charge of re-opening the community center and reclaiming this space as a collective community owned and operated asset. We are the Miracle on Craig St.
The Carver Community Center was founded at the Craig St. location towards the end of the civil rights movement in Schenectady, NY in 1969 as part of the George Washington Carver Leagues. During its time, Carver incubated and established many resources in the city of Schenectady that are still present today including but not limited to Hometown Health, New Choices, and SCAP. In 2013, Carver Community Center closed down leaving a void in the Hamilton Hill Neighborhood.
In August of 2015 the Carver Community Center went up for auction for the first time since it had closed its doors in 2013 for $150,000. We--a group of community activists, also residents of Hamilton Hill, collectively decided that we would not just watch another thing come and go in our neighborhood. Many dedicated and motivated residents took the charge of re-opening the community center and reclaiming this space as a collective community owned and operated asset. We are the Miracle on Craig St.
Achievements |
To date our collective efforts have raised $345,000 in seed money to begin renovations on the Carver Community Center. We have leveraged over one hundred volunteers who have put in over 5000 volunteer hours within the past 5 years. We have leveraged several professional and consulting services to support our functions and processes including but not limited to fundraising, development, accounting, legal services, design, strategic planning, finance and board training. As of December 19th 2019, we have closed on the property and have taken title to the building! Woohooo!! As of June 2020, Carver has been designated as a historical space recognized federally for its cultural, social, and architectural significance. Renovations have begun! We are hoping to be open for the community by Summer 2021! |
While we cannot promise to name every individual who has put their hands and heart on this project we would like to thank everyone who has been a part of this amazing effort and miracle in the City of Schenectady and beyond. We are so, so, so, grateful and indebted to our community for rallying behind our effort and our successes have been due to your contributions. We are forever thankful and we look forward to seeing all of your beautiful and loving faces at the grand opening of the revitalized Carver Community Center!
Miracle in the News 2020!
https://cbs6albany.com/news/local/miracle-on-craig-street-works-to-give-community-center-a-facelift
https://dailygazette.com/article/2020/08/12/community-cleanup-a-sign-of-progress-at-old-carver-community-center-in-schenectady
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/capital-region/news/2020/08/12/volunteers-clean-up-historic-schenectady-community-center?cid=id-app15_m-share_s-web_cmp-app_launch_august2020_c-producer_posts_po-organic
https://cbs6albany.com/news/local/miracle-on-craig-street-works-to-give-community-center-a-facelift
https://dailygazette.com/article/2020/08/12/community-cleanup-a-sign-of-progress-at-old-carver-community-center-in-schenectady
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/capital-region/news/2020/08/12/volunteers-clean-up-historic-schenectady-community-center?cid=id-app15_m-share_s-web_cmp-app_launch_august2020_c-producer_posts_po-organic