You may have heard of the Five Towns Community Center located at 270 Lawrence Avenue, Lawrence. It has been here since 1907!
They cater to both Lawrence and Inwood students and families. They have always held after school classes for primary and elementary and even middle school students. They also have after school activities for teens! Plus, they have been doing more and more especially since the pandemic started back in March 2020.
Below is a list of all they offer. They have been adding a lot of programs lately and I will update when they do.
What the Five Towns Community Center Offers:
- Head Start Classes for primary school children (see flyer below and website)
- Academic Support (see flyer below)
- After School Program for elementary school and middle school kids
- PAL Programs will start soon - Good Article Here and HERE
- Counseling and Support Services CODA (see flyer below and website for details)
- Health and Prevention Services (see website for details)
- Healthcare Navigator (see website for details)
- Game Room for Teens (Just Opened) Saturdays 12pm-3pm (see flyer below)
- Dance Classes are starting soon (ballet and african dance and more)
- Basketball and Open Gym for high school students 21 and under - Tue and Thurs 6-8pm, masks need to be worn (see gif below)
- Summer Camp (website details being worked on)
- Citizenship Classes (see website for time, days and details)
- STEAM virtual activities HERE
- Five Towns Teen Center (facebook page) (see flyer below) Teen Center officially opened for the school year Monday, Sept 14th 3-6pm! Open for all LHS cohorts (grades 9-12) and remote learners! There is a 15 person limit. Veronica Ortiz is the Youth Advocacy Counselor. She can be reached at vortiz@fivetownsmail.org or 516-239-9246 ext 239
- Zumba for Adults and Seniors as well as senior fitness classes will begin soon!!
- Covid Testing Site Coming Soon!
Gammy's Pantry (founded by Sasha Young) within the Community Center offers the following:
- Gammy's Food Pantry for food and goodies (often fresh food and sometimes hot meals and also lunches for kids) for families and deliveries to housebound seniors. Open 7 days a week (donations accepted) (see flyer below for hours)
- LI Cares Special Food Pantry - Good Article Here - licares.org - (631) 582-3663 (see flyer below for hours)
- Gammy's Closet - Free housewares, toys, clothing, books, small furniture, etc. Open a few weekends a month in the lobby or gym. (donations needed) (see flyer below)
- Gammy's Dream Boutique - will have its grand opening of its new space in the near future, and taking appointments now and can accommodate before the grand opening. All clothing new or used once. It will provide a selection of outfits, dresses and suits to women and men and teens to help support them in their quest for a new job, interview for college, or attend an important social function or prom dresses. Outfits are chosen at no cost and have been received through donations of members in our community. Gammy's Dream Inc. was founded in 2018 by Sasha Young and her twin teen daughters Alexandra and Alexis Acosta and is in honor of Betty Young. (Sasha's Grandmother) The thought behind the boutique is simple is based on the notion that no one gets a chance to make a first impression. The boutique is open by appointment only. Donations appreciated.
- Community Gardening in Summer
- Teen Advocacy Group - Good Article Here.
- CommUnity Coalition
Thanks to:
- Thanks to Sasha Young who works every day so hard and is the Founder of Gammy's Pantry and everything it offers.
- A few places who help donate food, Trader Joe’s and Gourmet Glatt.
- Also Syd and Rock and Wrap it Up! is a major supporter and contributor of Gammy's Pantry..
- Thank you @KosherResponse - Gabriel Boxer AKA "Kosher Guru" for partnering with some events.
- @CarrieSolages (Carrie Solages) Nassau County Legislator sponsors events here also for kids, a few times a year.
- @AssemblywomanMissyMiller (AssemblyWoman Missy Miller) is very active in supporting families in Gammys Pantry.
- @senatorkaminsky (Senator Kaminsky) is also a great advocate.
- The community center also had an antibody testing a few months ago. They also gave help with the Census forms.
- Since the Pandemic, many adults and teens have volunteered and worked hard daily to unpack trucks and help distribute food and necessities.
Volunteering: They are always looking for more help distributing food and supplies. If you want to volunteer, fill out this google form HERE or email or call. Gammy's Pantry Signup is HERE.
Family Sign Up: To get an idea what the community needs, Fill out Google page HERE and in Spanish /Espanol HERE
Social Media:
- Instagram:5townscommunitycenter
- Facebook: the Five Towns Community Center
- Facebook: Sasha Young
- Facebook: GammysPantry
- Instagram: GammysPantry
- Go Fund Me: Donations
- Website: FTCC Info and Donations
- Gammys Pantry email: Gammysdreaminc@gmail.com
Photos Below: Sasha Young (front, left) and all the people in the community helping out.
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