What is the Hub?
The Hub is a not for profit organization that owns an existing two story facility in the center of New Canaan located behind Elm Street and adjacent to Town Hall. In 2015 several concerned New Canaan residents came together to assess the opportunity to repurpose the building for the benefit of the broader community.
Who is the Hub for?
The Hub is for you. The Hub is an undertaking by citizens of New Canaan — by the people for the people. It is intended to repurpose an asset built by fellow citizens to satisfy many unmet or now emerging needs and help provide enriching services that will make New Canaan that much more special and endearing.
The Hub will provide rich and varied programming that will engage broadly with the community and be responsive to all age groups. It will help to fill unmet needs for critical services in our community such as offering space for adult special needs programs, supplemental educational and support activities for middle and high school youth in these challenging times, and enriching cultural and social services for all ages. Importantly, The Hub’s program offerings will be carefully selected so that they do not duplicate those of other valuable community centers in New Canaan. Some examples of potential programming under current consideration include: career lectures, family and adult cooking classes/demonstrations, Duke of Edinburgh International youth award program, after school tutoring/mentoring, community and charity outreach programs, structured evening activites for youth (e.g. Battle of the Bands, game night, ping pong and pool tournaments), recording studio, support for parents with young children (e.g. parents' night out babysitting, parent-child exercise classes), holiday themed activities (e.g. Santa's workshop) to support existing town activities and merchants.
Additionally, as a large, well located facility with accessible parking, a capacity of 339, and a commercial kitchen, the Hub provides a valued rental venue to support civic, business, and social group activities right in the center of town.
Importantly, activities at the Hub will help draw more people to town benefiting our merchants and restaurants which are vital to our community.
Why is the Hub using Fundrazr?
The Hub Board of Directors is heavily involved in developing plans for the new, expanded focus. It is expected to take six months to accomplish this. We are seeking support from the people of New Canaan to help cover fixed costs of the facility as we complete this planning process. The nature of these programs and services, which will potentially touch the lives of every man, woman and child in our town, are outside of what might customarily be funded with tax dollars. Other than Town support for special needs areas, the cost to provide these services must be recovered from those who benefit from these services as well as the interested public who appreciate the value of this facility to our town.
Please help us make the Hub a reality. Donations are tax deductible as the Hub is a not for profit organization. No donation is too small; however, The Hub only accepts charitable donations on Fundrazr from Connecticut residents. This initial funding effort is critical to the Hub’s success. Each donor is like a “spoke” on a wheel. Spokes are essential to support a hub. We need everyone to Be a Spoke in the Hub of New Canaan.
If you are interested in making a donation in excess of $2,000 or if you are not a Connecticut resident, please contact us at thehubdirector@gmail.com.
If you are interested in learning more about the Hub, would like to visit, volunteer, offer expertise or in-kind contributions, or if you have programing suggestions or comments, please contact us at thehubdirector@gmail.com.
Thank you!
Robert Albus, President
Carrie Christer
Kerry Connell
Ken Eldred
Sonia Skindrud
