Nonprofit to renovate this Weesaw Township community center in Berrien County

What’s happening: A New Troy nonprofit has announced plans to renovate and improve upon its Community Center, a community center that not only serves the residents of New Troy but also the residents of more than 15 neighboring communities surrounding the rural Berrien County community.

What’s planned: The Friends of New Troy (FONT) nonprofit plans to revitalize its FONT Community Center with renovations, improved accessibility by way of Universal Design-informed infrastructure, and curb appeal. Among the plans FONT has for its Community Center include ADA-compliant parking spaces, level walkways, and a universally designed walking path from the parking lot to the Memorial Garden. New seating, landscaping, and solar lighting will be added, and the building’s facade and signage will be improved and updated.

What it is: The FONT Community Center offers any number of daily, weekly, monthly, and annual events, a long list that includes everything from yoga classes to winter coat drives, seed and plant swaps, Chromebooks on loan, and much more.

Visit the Friends of New Troy online to learn more about the organization’s community programming.

How they’re doing it: The FONT Community Center project has been accepted into the state’s placemaking initiative Public Spaces Community Places, a joint effort from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity. As part of the initiative, the nonprofit has launched a $50,000 crowdfunding campaign on the Michigan-based Patronicity platform. Should they successfully reach their goal by Friday, July 19, the MEDC will contribute a $50,000 matching grant to the project.

Learn more about the FONT Community Center plans on Patronicity.

Why it’s important: “This project will provide essential improvements to New Troy’s community center, which will build trust and belonging,” says Dan Gilmartin, CEO and Executive Director of the Michigan Municipal League. “This dedication to safety and accessibility will ensure that everyone in the community can come together and access the programming the center provides. This is a great example of what our communities need to implement to support futures where all can thrive.”

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