02/28/2025
Fountain Hill Community Coalition: A Call for Renewal and Engagement
A Community Center without Walls
Dear Fountain Hill Friends,
As the Fountain Hill Community Coalition, we’ve come a long way in our mission to reopen the pool and foster a revived sense of community spirit and involvement. Thanks to the hard work, dedication, and support of our members, we were able to successfully advocate for the resurrection of the pool, and through sweat equity, we made its reopening a reality last year. We are grateful for all who contributed to this success! The pool is now in the hands of the Borough and the Public Works Department, which means that we can once again look forward to the possibility of swimming lessons, exercise activities, and other exciting events at the pool. The pool is back, and with it, our community has a vital resource once more.
While our efforts have been successful in this area, we are facing new challenges. Although we’ve had a great start, we’re finding it difficult to gauge the level of ongoing interest and involvement from the community. Volunteer participation has waned, and despite the partnership with St. Paul’s Church for a potential community center, this initiative did not come to fruition. More recently, although our Veterans Breakfast saw an increase in attendance compared to previous years, the turnout from Fountain Hill residents was notably sparse. Additionally, calls for volunteers and support for projects such as a community garden, a splash pool for the kids, and a community day celebration have yielded minimal responses, with only one volunteer stepping forward to assist.
So, what’s next? How can we reignite the sense of community that makes Fountain Hill a special place to live?
In response, we are proposing a new initiative: *The Community Center Without Walls*. This program will focus on creating and organizing groups or clubs around specific interests, allowing residents to come together and connect in meaningful ways, without the need for a centralized community center.
Here are a few ideas we’d like to explore:
Chess Club: Though not the most mainstream of games, chess is beloved by those who play it. This club will bring together players of all levels, offering a space to learn and improve, while organizing matches and events. Weather permitting, we’d meet at the park or pool for friendly competitions. Don’t care for chess . . . how about cribbage, bridge, pinochle, or hearts?
Investment Club: Investment clubs can be a valuable way to learn about various investment strategies and navigate the world of finance. We aim to create a group that encourages discussion, sharing ideas, and tracking outcomes. This club will be focused on education, and we may invite guest speakers. The club will be moderated to ensure a respectful and educational environment.
Garden Club: Gardening clubs have a long history of success, bringing people together to share knowledge and passion about plants. This group would focus on enhancing our community through gardening projects, with an eye toward beautifying the Borough and providing educational opportunities about what grows best in our area.
Fitness Club: From walking and running to swimming and general fitness, this group will encourage residents to get active together, promoting a healthy lifestyle in our community.
Book Club: The club would assign books (authors, titles and subjects) to read which would be followed by discussion.
The Cafe: Not really a physical place but a venue for speakers and attendees to discuss interesting topics in a moderated setting. Speakers would be invited from the Borough or regionally. You’d be amazed at the expertise, experiences and knowledge we have within the Borough. The topics could range from politics, history, sports, shared or individual experiences, health, trades and hobbies. The group would decide the agendas and topics.
Self-Improvement – This could include any number of subjects depending on interest or need. The range could include: English/Spanish as a second language; nutrition; familiarization for computer apps; home finance organization; and writing.
These clubs will be open to of ages, from teens, young adults to seniors, and there will be no residency requirement. We want to ensure that everyone who is interested can participate.
Importantly, these groups will not require membership fees or strict attendance commitments unless determined by the club members themselves. For the Coalition’s protection, we may require a liability waiver, and if any club involves children, we may also ask for a free online background check to ensure safety for all participants.
The primary goal is simple: to get people together and build a stronger, more engaged community.
If any of these clubs spark your interest or if you have suggestions for other groups or activities, we would love to hear from you. Please reply to this message, and we’ll organize meetings to get the ball rolling.
We look forward to working together to create a more connected, vibrant Fountain Hill!
Warm regards,
The Fountain Hill Community Coalition
