Community Space celebrates first anniversary
By Tom Ganser
Correspondent
A celebration of The Community Space’s first year of operation was held Jan. 29 at the facility’s location on East Milwaukee Street in Whitewater.
“We opened our doors on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019, at 8:30 a.m. as planned as the polar vortex arrived and did not close them until Thursday afternoon, Jan. 31, when the main threat of the bitterly cold weather had passed,” said Kristine Zaballos, co-founder and executive director of TCS.
“We had volunteers staffing the place 24/7 in case anyone needed emergency shelter … because there were no overnight shelters in Whitewater,” she added. “No one came in overnight, although there were two near misses. We also had many, many people come in our doors during those days to pick up warm blankets, coats, hats, mittens and other items.”
The idea for TCS began to percolate in November 2018. With a goal of finding a suitable location within six months, it took only about 30 days for organizers to agree to rent a portion of the Coburn Company’s former headquarters — about 25,000 square feet.
“We sat on milk crates and tables just so we could have that meeting to tell the community what we wanted to do and to get their ideas,” Kay Robers said about that first meeting in December 2018.
She is the on-site co-manager of TCS along with her daughter, Cindy Robers.
“And when I look at it now, it’s just stupendous,” Kay Robers said.
Items can be left in the front vestibule when TCS is closed, but with the understanding that people may take things from the donation bins.
When TCS is open, larger items can be dropped off at behind the building; ring the bell for assistance. If something needs to be picked up, contact Cindy Robers at 262-269-0892 or cindyrobers@icloud.com.Pick-up options are limited and the more lead time provided, the better.
Interested in getting on the volunteer list? Contact Kay Robers at roberskay@yahoo.com for more information.
Monetary donations are always appreciated and used to pay utilities and the purchase of food from Feeding America. Donations are tax-deductible and can be made by check payable to The Community Space and sent to the Whitewater Community Foundation, P.O. Box 428, Whitewater, WI 53190.
Read more about the space in the Feb. 20 Whitewater Register.
