FNN Background
Fairfax Neighborhood Network was formed in mid-1999 when the Heights Y building was closed and offered for sale. The membership was composed of Heights area citizens who wanted to mount a grass-roots effort to help preserve their inner-ring community from the erosion so often caused when a facility deserts an area. It was feared that the building might be purchased by a party which would tear it down, leaving the area with inadequate swimming and fitness facilities.
The Network was introduced to Chuck Steidel at a meeting of interested parties in December called by George Qua, a resident of Shaker Heights. Mr. Steidel had made a bid to purchase the building from the YMCA simply to save it, but needed a nonprofit organization to own and run the building. Dr. Robert Spurney, a former president of the Heights Y Board, and Fairmount Presbyterian Church led the way, with several trustees of Fairfax Neighborhood Network contributing to receive matching funds from the Cleveland Foundation. Members of United We Can, a faith-based community organization which had through two of its members been advising Mr. Steidel, assisted the Network in the process of securing and transferring funds for the initial down payment on the building. The Cleveland YMCA was instrumental in allowing the Network several extensions of time to provide further payments in order that the building could remain available for non-profit use.
Knowing that a community building is only bricks and mortar, and that its real heart lies in the programming it brings to the public, the Network then set out to survey the community and find programming to fit the needs. It had already identified the Cleveland Heights chapter of Special Olympics as a program which needs both a director and a home. In addition to its initial survey, the Network interviewed community organizations to discuss their perception of needs.
Fairfax Neighborhood Network :: Cleveland Heights, Ohio :: 44118 :: Contact Us
(Tax ID #34-1918662)