Holyoke Nonprofit Launches Commonwealth Places Crowdfunding Campaign for Yoga Studio
$7,500 needed to win matching grant from MassDevelopment’s Commonwealth Places Initiative
June 21, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Meggie Quackenbush, MassDevelopment, 617-330-2011 & 857-208-2777 (cell)
mquackenbush@massdevelopment.com
Jonathan Berk, Patronicity, 617-750-6008
jonathan@Patronicity.com
Dori Digenti, 413-437-0747
breathingspaceholyoke@gmail.com
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| Image by Open Square: www.opensquare.com |
MassDevelopment and the Breathing Space, a nonprofit yoga and meditation studio in Holyoke, announced a campaign through the civic crowdfunding platform Patronicity and the Commonwealth Places initiative. The campaign will help the Breathing Space open a studio space in the newly renovated STEAM Building in the burgeoning Holyoke Canal Cultural District. The new studio will allow the Breathing Space to hold yoga, mindfulness, and other mind/body classes that support balance, recovery, and wellness.
“The Commonwealth Places initiative is a creative avenue through which communities can provide gathering places for residents to engage with one another,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Marty Jones. “We are pleased to support a campaign that aligns so well with our Transformative Development Initiative goals for Holyoke and look forward to seeing the positive impact the Breathing Space is sure to have on this gateway city.”
The space will also serve as a catalyst to drive more pedestrian traffic into the Canal District, supporting the City and MassDevelopment’s efforts to bring new life to the area through the Transformative Development Initiative (TDI). The Agency recently announced the hiring of a new TDI Fellow for the city, who will work to advance Holyoke’s redevelopment vision. If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $7,500 by August 3 at midnight, the project will win a matching grant from MassDevelopment’s Commonwealth Places program. Learn more and donate at www.Patronicity.com/Holyoke.
“The studio’s mission is really to bring these ancient practices, yoga and mindfulness, to people experiencing challenges or stress,” said The Breathing Space’s Dori Digenti. “We want to provide a gathering place for the community where individuals can find refuge, strength, balance, flexibility, and a sense of peace.”
Commonwealth Places is a collaborative effort from MassDevelopment and Patronicity that leverages public support for placemaking projects through crowdfunding and a matching grant from MassDevelopment. The program engages residents in the development of strategic projects in their towns and cities. The program has supported successful campaigns across the Commonwealth, from Northampton to Hyannis. Communities, nonprofits, and other entities can learn more about these successful projects, donate to ongoing campaigns, and apply at www.massdevelopment.com/commonwealthplaces.
MassDevelopment, the state’s finance and development agency, works with businesses, nonprofits, financial institutions, and communities to stimulate economic growth across the Commonwealth. During FY2016, MassDevelopment financed or managed 352 projects generating investment of more than $4 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are projected to create about 8,200 jobs and build or rehabilitate about 4,200 residential units.
