BringBackCFCP Meeting Minutes for Meeting April 17, 2008

On April 17, 2008 BringBackCFCP held its first meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to realize a face to face gathering of persons that had responded with interest to the stated mission of BringBackCFCP (Bring Back the Center For Creative Play, which closed its doors on March 30 due to financial hardship).

The mission of BringBackCFCP is to jump-start a grassroots movement that highlights the tragedy of losing a community asset like the Center For Creative Play. Our goal is to send a wake-up call to the Pittsburgh philanthropic community, our legislators, and the community at-large. We cannot stand idly by and allow valuable community resources to fall to the wayside unchallenged.

The meeting was originally scheduled to meet at the Wilkins School Community Center (WSCC). However, due to short notice WSCC was not able to provide an accessible room. The meeting was moved to Katerbean Coffee House and Internet Café, which is located at 1110 S. Braddock Avenue, Regent Square, PA 15218.

Seventeen persons attended the meeting. Of the seventeen persons in attendance one person attended on behalf of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette and one person attended on behalf the Honorable Paul Costa, Pennsylvania State Representative, 34^th Legislative District, Allegheny County.

In attendance were Zoe Weslowski, parent and organizer of bringbackcfcp; Elizabeth Felter, parent and organizer of bringbackcfcp, Jason Kunzman, CFCP Board President; Mary Jo Caruso, CFCP Board Vice President, Judy Barricella, Allegheny County Department of Human Services Disability Connection; Tom Caulfield, Hon. Paul Costa’s office; Kate Luce Angell, freelance writer for the Pittsburgh Post Gazette; Cindi Gamble, CFCP Educator; Candy Smith; parent, Amy Watson; CFCP Program Coordinator, Mimi Frey; parent, William Murray, parent; Mark Possum, parent; Michael Bramlet, parent; Faith Seynborski, parent; Linda Rodgers, parent; and Regis Rothrauff, organizer of bringbackcfcp.

Meeting Agenda Notes April 17, 2008

1. Welcome 
   Ms. Weslowski opened the meeting at 7:15 PM. Ms. Weslowski stated that the purpose of the meeting was to explore strategies of community activism addressing the closing of the Center For Creative Play.
2. Introductions 
   All parties took turns introducing themselves and their respective interest in attending the meeting. The general consensus was that the closing of CFCP left a void in the community. CFCP families that were present stated that CFCP services are needed and missed.
3. Coalition Update 
   Ms. Weslowski reported that bringbackcfcp had many inquiries as a result of posted notices, press releases, and Internet postings. Packets containing bringbackcfcp promotional materials and contacts were given to attendees.
4. Group Discussion 
   The group discussed the viability of reopening CFCP. Ms. Barricella posed the question of whether or not it was bringbackcfcp’s intent to solely focus upon saving the existing Center or was it bringbackcfcp’s focus to resurrect the concept of CFCP, regardless of whether or not the current location was kept or not. The discussion turned to the logistical experience, utility, and cost that had gone into the universal design of the current location. It was noted that to recreate an environment that replicated the existing location’s universal design would be difficult and costly. A few parents noted that the current design was somewhat sensory overload, noting that large open spaces, bright colors, and loud noises contributed to overwhelming children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. CFCP board officers, Mr. Kunzman and Ms. Caruso reported that the Pittsburgh philanthropic community reported that CFCP had lost sight of original mission of creating a play space for children with disabilities. Another group participant noted that the natural growth of the CFCP had morphed the mission of CFCP to include all children, regardless of the child having a diagnosed disability or not. The participant added that branching-out into the social venture of a building a nationally acclaimed inclusive play consulting practice, while driven by current philanthropic trends, may have resulted in the local philanthropic community perceiving CFCP as having a readiness to move into securing funding from national philanthropic concerns. It was noted that if there is any validity to the preceding observation then the closing of CFCP is more than a local loss - that the entire Pittsburgh region is losing a marketable regional capacity that was earned through the efforts of CFCP. Ms. Smith added, that as a parent, she agreed that the original mission had been lost in the grandness of the current location. She also marked the necessity of CFCP being appropriate for all children otherwise the center wouldn’t attain its goal of being truly representative of the inclusion we aspire to attain. Mr. Bramlet suggested that, as a group, we get a handle on the financial realities. He asked if anyone could ascertain the revenue and cost parameters needed to float the center. Ms. Caruso noted that the quality of the services provided to the community by CFCP could never be fully be covered by parent and family fees. Ms. Felter suggested that bringbackcfcp, at a minimum, come to terms with what it would cost to get the CFCP up and running for the next few months - allowing for time to explore other opportunities. Mr. Kunzman noted that the board is exploring options to reorganize the center, possibly through a hand-off to another organization holding a similar mission. Ms. Weslowski acknowledged the tenor of everyone’s legitimate concerns and ideas. Ms. Weslowski noted that bringbackcfcp is a grassroots organization and that the current strategies set forth are visibility, raising awareness, and gaining momentum. Ms. Weslowski went on to emphasize that bringbackcfcp’s immediate goal should be to raise awareness of the issue and to gain support through families that want to mobilize to bring back CFCP, and to gain further support and interest of organizations that support the return of CFCP - bringbackcfcp is planning on staging a  demonstration that highlights that the concern and loss felt by Pittsburgh’s communities - that not only Pittsburgh’s children are hurt by the closing of CFCP - that the loss of CFCP diminishes the entire Pittsburgh region as we realize the value of this community resource.
5. Demonstration Agenda 
   A demonstration date of May 4, 2008 was chosen from 12:00 PM-3:00 PM The demonstration is scheduled to take place in front of the Center For Creative Play. It was noted that the Swissvale Police had requested that they be kept apprised of any planned demonstrations. The group unanimously agreed that purpose of the demonstration was to raise awareness of the loss of something good - and inherent in the statement of “something good” is the premise that bringbackcfcp fully comprehends that all parties: the CFCP board; the Pittsburgh philanthropic community; state, regional, and local politicians; and the community at large all have a shared vested interest in working together towards our common good through peaceful and considerate responsible actions. 
6. Action Items 
   Members agreed to making signs, post flyers, contact media, write letters to civic, community, and business leaders, and to spread the word across family and friends. 
7. Next Meeting 
   Demonstration set for Sunday May 4^th 12:00 PM until 3:00 PM 
   Next meeting set for 7:00 PM Thursday May 8^th (tentatively to be held at Katerbean)
8. Close 
   9:00 PM