Community Services for Every1 is grateful to The John R. Oishei Foundation for its recent award of $99,706 towards construction and buildout of the Lyceum Community Empowerment Center. The Lyceum Community Empowerment Center is a new East Buffalo community learning space, a hub within Apartments at the Lyceum, a 42-unit affordable housing complex. The building is currently undergoing renovation involving the historic adaptive reuse of the former Catholic school and community center, commonly known as the St. John Kanty Lyceum. Constructed in the early 1930s, the Lyceum has essentially fallen in disuse since the Parish school closed in 1990.
The Lyceum Community Empowerment Center will provide accommodating, adaptable, and accessible learning spaces; that will create flexible culinary/wellness education environments that will cater to the interests and needs of people of all abilities. The project will also create a multi-purpose classroom for small group instruction; an activity room for larger recreational events; a teaching kitchen for culinary instruction; and a community garden for therapeutic and recreational gardening. The center will annually empower both tenants of the Lyceum and over 200 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to accomplish personal goals for employment, independence, wellness, and inclusion. The center is due to open in early 2024.
“We established the Lyceum Community Empowerment Center to expand our sought-after services for people of all abilities. The innovative supports provided at this center will help people develop their personal goals. This funding is critical in allowing us to meet the needs and help as many of our neighbors as possible,” said Mindy Cervoni, Community Services for Every1 President & CEO.
The John R. Oishei Foundation enhances the economic vitality and quality of life for the Buffalo Niagara region through grantmaking, leadership and network building. For more information about The John R. Oishei Foundation, visit www.oishei.org.
Community Services has operated since 1989, working to support and empower Western New Yorkers of all abilities. Anyone wishing to donate to the Lyceum Community Empowerment Center can visit lyceumspace.givesmart.com. For media inquiries please contact Kelly Kinderman at kkinderman@csevery1.com or 716-883-8888 x 143.
Our Mission at Community Services is to partner with individuals of all abilities to reach their fullest potential, protecting their rights and promoting their independence and inclusion in our community.