Latest news with #CommunityHub
CBS News
06-08-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Pennsylvania bookstore owner creates cultural haven through Black literature
A Montgomery County bookstore owner is building a hub for Black culture and community through the power of Black literature. The Black Reserve Bookstore on Main Street in Lansdale is a celebration of Black voices, history and resilience. Founded by Shaykh Anwar Muhammad in 2017, the shop has grown to four times its original size. It's a gathering place for books, mentorship and meaningful dialogue. "I tell people when they come in the store, when they get in the door, they transport to Wakanda, because it doesn't feel like you're in Lansdale anymore," Muhammad said. The bookstore hosts a variety of community events and regularly supports local entrepreneurs, including Maliq Harris, owner of King's Corner Boxing. "Shaykh—that's my guy right there," Harris said. "We're family. We do a lot of things together in the community. I consider him to be like a mentor to me and a brother all at the same time." Muhammad has helped new Black families adjust to living in Lansdale. "Mr. Anwar knows almost every Black kid, Black family around here," School of Visual Arts student Joseph Banks said. "I like to call him the Black Santa Claus." While the bookstore has become a beloved part of the Lansdale community, its journey hasn't been easy. Muhammad said he's faced challenges ranging from backlash to vandalism, obstacles that reflect the difficulties of creating a culturally centered space in a predominantly White suburb. "I've seen my fair share of small-mindedness, I would say," Muhammad said. "A lot of people didn't understand. They felt they didn't know why there was a need for something like this, especially in an area like this, which to me underscores the need for something like this, in an area like this." Whether he's mentoring local youth or reading to children, Muhammad is focused on the long game. "I see the Black Reserve Bookstore as being an institution, something that will be here forever," Muhammad said. "I don't want it to be a blip. I want it to be something that continues and goes out to the future long after I leave the scene."
Otago Daily Times
02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Community artwork on display
One of the creations made during the Art in Nature workshop led by Chrissy Wicks. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED A community-driven art exhibition is being set up this weekend to help show off the hidden talents of Wānaka's creatives. Independent Wānaka artist Chrissy Wicks, took it upon herself to gather local artistic talent of all ages and showcase their work at the annual Community Hub exhibition. It all started with her work alongside Wānaka Primary School students, helping them create a Festival of Colour installation at the Dinosaur Park. With a passion for fostering creativity, Ms Wicks did not just want to create art but encourage both children and adults to get their work out there, no matter what it was. "I really enjoy doing big art, but I also really enjoy teaching other kids or encouraging kids and adults to get involved in art," she said. As part of her work with the primary school she helped the senior students paint different seasons on recycled timber and pine cones to decorate the Dinosaur Park for the Festival of Colour. She was now taking the installation and exhibiting it at the Community Hub this month. "It's just another opportunity to really promote and encourage kids to do art and for them to see it in a gallery space." In addition to her work with the primary school earlier this year, Ms Wicks was also involved with Art in Nature, a community art workshop held at Wānaka Station Park over five weeks earlier this year. The idea behind the workshop was to encourage mental wellbeing by talking a walk through the park and gathering material such as pinecones for an artistic creation. "I like to encourage people to go into nature to do art," Ms Wicks said. Students from this workshop would also be exhibiting their work this month to give them a sense of accomplishment over their creations. These artworks will be exhibited for all of August as well as other community art groups who will continue their displays through till October. Community Hub co-ordinator Jan Ballam said they would also be hosting groups such as Print Makers Wānaka, Mint Art, and Wai Wānaka with Photography. "These groups will exhibit freely as they are some of the hardworking non-profit groups in Wānaka," she said. The exhibition will be on display Monday to Friday from 9am-5pm, starting after this weekend.
Glasgow Times
02-08-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
New community well-being hub opens in Rouken Glen Park
The well-being hub, based in Rouken Glen Park, is designed to support health, connection and sustainability through activities led by local groups. Operated by The Community Hub—an initiative of Voluntary Action East Renfrewshire—the site will be open for the next four months under a pilot scheme to test its long-term potential. Chat and Plant members hard at work (Image: Supplied) Ruth Gallagher, chief officer at Voluntary Action East Renfrewshire, said: "Our Community Hub initiative will house East [[Renfrew]]shire Climate Action Hub, Velo World and many other third/community sector organisations interested in joining our collaboration. "We will be testing and trying a variety of activities, including planting and growing community vegetables, health and wellbeing activities such as yoga as well as supporting the development of small local enterprises. "Pop down and have a chat with the team; join in the fun and share your ideas." Located behind Rouken Glen Garden Centre on the former Young Enterprise Scotland site, the hub features greenhouses, growing areas, a commercial kitchen, office pods and an administrative building. It is already home to groups including East Renfrewshire Climate Action Hub and Chat & Plant, with space available for additional organisations during the pilot phase. The Community Hub will use the next four months to assess potential models for future revenue generation and sustainability. Chat and Plant members hard at work (Image: Supplied) A review is planned for December, and if a strong business case is developed, the team will work with East Renfrewshire Council and other partners to establish a long-term vision for the site. Micheal McKernan, economic development and inclusive growth manager at East Renfrewshire Council, said: "East Renfrewshire Council is delighted to be hosting The Community Hub. "The work that they do is an integral part of our Community Planning Partnership's vision to reduce inequality across groups and communities in East Renfrewshire. "The East Renfrewshire A Place to Grow sets out our shared hopes and aspirations between now and 2040 so that East Renfrewshire is a place where everyone can flourish, thrive and grow. The commercial-grade kitchen at the facility (Image: Supplied) "We would encourage local groups to get in touch with The Community Hub to help them shape the future of their site at Rouken Glen." Community groups are already seeing the benefits. Sylvia McCandlish, a member of Chat & Plant, said: "The community well-being hub offers us a chance to experiment with food plants we have never dared to think about before and it gives us the confidence to create and be inventive. "The hub also has the resources to allow us to expand the group. The space features small office pods for use (Image: Supplied) "We use the larger greenhouse and one of the polytunnels but there are opportunities for others to come and set up shop. "There are other polytunnels, there are the external areas as well, so it offers lots of chances for people to make this community space their home." The hub is open to the public Monday to Friday from 10am to 2.30pm for those interested in visiting, sharing ideas or learning more about the project. Organisations wishing to book space or get involved are encouraged to contact Ruth Gallagher at
Telegraph
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Chapel where Bread of Heaven hymn was written saved from property developers
A Welsh chapel where Bread of Heaven was written has been saved from the threat of property developers after a crowdfunding effort. Campaigners are now looking to buy the Grade II-listed Capel Rhondda after raising the £47,500 for which it was put on the market. Villagers in Hopkinstown, South Wales, had feared it would be taken over by developers who could have turned it into flats. However, the future of the chapel, which was built in 1885 for worshippers in the mining valleys, now looks to remain in the hands of locals and become a community hub. Rhian Hopkins, who led the fundraising project, told the BBC: 'It's amazing. I keep thinking, 'Am I just having a vivid dream which I'll wake up from?' 'I saw that the chapel was for sale and immediately I just felt devastated. 'I thought, 'Oh my goodness imagine if it's turned into flats or somebody turns it into a home', and I just wanted the community to be able to enjoy it for the foreseeable future. 'This is a really important part of not just local heritage but Welsh heritage and potentially worldwide heritage from the response we've had.' Composer John Hughes wrote the well-known hymn Cwm Rhondda for an anniversary service at the chapel in 1907. Better known as Bread of Heaven, it is often sung at Welsh rugby matches, pubs and funeral services. The campaign, which was launched less than two weeks ago, has now surpassed the £60,000 mark which will help cover legal costs and restoration works. It received much public support on social media and was shared by Welsh actor Michael Sheen. Ms Hopkins added: 'A lot of money will also need to be spent on the chapel. There was a quote of £50,000 just to restore the vestry floor. 'There's also knotweed in the graveyard, it's going to take a lot of money and work.' The Baptist Union of Wales had put the chapel up for sale after a final service in December 2024. The group said waning attendance figures had meant areas of the building had started to deteriorate. They are set to have a meeting on Friday about the building becoming community owned. The chapel was Grade II-listed in 2001 for its 'architectural interest as a late 19th-century chapel in a prominent location retaining its original character'.
Calgary Herald
24-07-2025
- General
- Calgary Herald
Safe Haven Foundation opens two new spaces to prevent homelessness for girls and young women
A Calgary-based non-profit celebrated the next steps in combating homelessness for girls and young women with the grand opening of the Safe Haven Community Hub and Haven's Harbour Residences on Wednesday. Article content The new spaces are designed to support girls and young women who are at risk or in the early stages of homelessness. Article content Article content The Safe Haven Foundation was first established in 1996. Co-founder Karen Sherbut said Wenesday's milestone that was 30 years in the making was rooted in a vision her husband, John, wanted to create for others after hearing the hardships she faced as a teenager. Article content Article content 'I came from a very dysfunctional family and I was a runaway at 16,' Sherbut said. 'I made the choice, and to this day I still believe that my running away and not knowing where I was running to was safer than what I was running from.' Article content Article content With a healthy support system of friends and family that supported her, Sherbut became a constant couch surfer who worked three jobs and completed her education. Article content 'Years later when I met my husband-to-be, he asked what I wished I had when I was a child growing up — it's exactly what we are doing now,' she said. 'I wish that I would've had a safe place to sleep every night, where I knew where home was going to be, where I knew my next meal was going to come from, and where I didn't have to hold down so many jobs to complete my education, because that was very important to me. Article content 'And that's why we created it. It's really designed to duplicate that healthy and caring family environment.' Article content Article content Foundation CEO Krystyna Lloyd said their programs include Haven's Way, which provides a space for six young women or girls between the ages of 14 to 21 who are in the early stages or at risk of experiencing homelessness. Article content The second, Haven's Harbour Residences, is made up of eight residences and supports young women in their pursuit of post-secondary education and independent living skills, under a caring, family-style environment. Article content 'In the basement of Haven's Harbour, we have a kitchen and gathering space where both streams of the program can come together for the first time,' Lloyd said. Article content Article content Through this, girls and women that are in either side of the program can interact with one another to facilitate relationships while they are in their respective programs. Article content 'In the last few weeks when we have been bringing the girls together to place-make this space . . . they were all so excited about it,' she said. 'A lot of youth are asking when it's their turn to transition to the next program, they're calling dibs on units, and they're putting out their ideas for workshops and programs that they want to lead.'
