This month, the CFOC Nonprofit Spotlight features The Richfield Springs Community Center.
Established in 1999, the Richfield Springs Community Center, located at 6 Ann Street, started as a community-based organization that provided quality programs and services solely to our local youth. Since its inception, the Center has grown, serving youth from surrounding counties, as well as seniors in the community.
“Our mission is to empower individuals with educational, emotional and social life skills through effective programming, enabling the family unit to become stronger, ultimately creating a thriving community,” said Board Vice-President Angella Lynch.
With a variety of programs addressing food insecurity by providing healthy meals, the Center strives to offer low or no cost healthy food options during each program. This year the Center was very fortunate to have been awarded a grant from the Community Foundation of Otsego County as a result of their Strengthening Our Community healthy eating initiative.
The Center’s programs are numerous:
- SOUPer Seniors program meets every Wednesday and are served a catered, hearty lunch while they enjoy socializing, playing cards, Mahjong or a provided program.
- T-Zone is a youth program for ages 12-15, giving them the ability to destress from the rigors of the school day while enjoying a healthy snack, socializing with peers, and receiving positive guidance and support from our staff. T-Zone is currently running every Tuesday and Thursday from 4-6pm.
- The Zone is a Youth Program for grades 7-12. It is our signature program that began with our inception in 1999. It has grown exponentially. This program runs every Friday night from 7-10pm. The youth involved in this program are coming to socialize, to game and to enjoy programs. Most importantly, they come for the positive support and mentoring they receive from our staff. The youth are served a healthy snack, or often a light meal depending on their need.
- Dungeons & Dragons, a fantasy table-top role-playing game, is growing in popularity and runs once per month on the second Saturday from 1-4pm. Participants are challenged to put their role-playing tactics to the test! During Dungeons & Dragons, the Dungeon Master offers a healthy snack to all the characters!
- Stories Come Alive, a long-time program prior to COVID, was recently successfully revived! It is a live book reading program ideally for children Pre-K through 3rd grade on Fridays at 12 noon at the Public Library. In addition to the library, we collaborate with the local Community Literacy Partnership Committee. Weekly readings can be viewed on You Tube.
In addition to these programs, the Center also hosts the Otsego County Office of the Aging Senior Meals program every Tuesday and Thursday at 11:30A.M. Senior Citizens from surrounding areas are welcome to come pick up their meals or dine in and enjoy time together at the Community Center.
The Richfield Springs Community Center has become a vibrant hub of activity, bringing together young and old to build a better, more connected, Richfield Springs.
Content provided by The Richfield Springs Community Center.
For more information, visit www.richfieldspringscommunitycenter.org or Facebook.
