Accord Community Action and the Fassett Greenspace Project attend recent meetings
Accord Director Leslie Gooch-Christman presented an overview of the Accord Community Action Agency and services it provides, when she spoke to the Monday Club of Wellsville on May 9th. Accord, located in Belmont, and serving all of Allegany County, helps a wide variety of people meet many needs to help change their lives. They address issues of poverty, beyond the levels set by government, and have expanded help since Covid . There are sources of help beyond food and rent. For the same job, there is inequality of pay between men and women. They are working to change that.
Accord services help to find Child Care, and to find jobs for people who want to work in that field, with Head Start, After School programs, and Youth Services. They provide support for Domestic Violence victims with shelter and advocates. Affordable housing, homelessness, and home repairs are addressed. Starting businesses, getting loans, and expanding businesses are services provided. There are jobs available at Accord, and many volunteer positions open as well. The Accord services meet many needs, and the agency can be reached at 585-268-7605, or www.accordcorp.org. Mrs. Christman answered questions, and handed out their Services Guide.
This past Monday, the evolution of the SW corner of North Main and Fassett Street, “Hotel to Community Oasis” was presented by Andrew Harris. In 1832, the Van Burens built a home that became a Hotel, as well as a bar, courthouse, and town hall. It was destroyed by fire in 1867, after which, in 1871, the long-standing Fassett House was built. It had rooms, fine dining, lounge entertainment and was a landmark until, after closing and interior damage, it was torn down in 2005.
The space stood vacant, but after time, attracted a couple of community garden beds. Dreams grew, and through Art for Rural America, grants, and huge amounts of volunteer community effort, the Fassett Greenspace evolved. Cassandra Bull and Nate Piscitelli worked on designing the garden circles. There were grants from: Ralph Wilson, L.C. Whitford Company, Giant Food, Fassett Lane Lumber, ALCO, Steuben Trust, and Garmin Family Foundation. Students from the Alfred Tech helped with construction, and laying brick from Southern Tier Concrete to make space wheelchair accessible. In 2018 , a set of six outdoor musical instruments were added. A fountain, designed and fashioned by William Underhill from Alfred, was added in 2020. Shade Space, seating, and performance space are evolving, and there is a Little Free Library. Central to the green space are the circular beds of seasonal plants, flowers, vegetables, and herbs.
As the space continues to mature, it brings art, culture, healthy exposure to plants and the out-of-doors, enriching downtown Wellsville. Andrew explained that donations can be made by going to AFRA.com, or Fassett Greenspace on Facebook, or contact his directly 585 610 5258.
