Local news sources have reported on city efforts to receive grant money that could be applied to the demolition of Huss Elementary School.  However, new interest in the historic building could lead instead to its renovation and re-use.

*culture is not optional (*cino), a non-profit organization based in Three Rivers since 2002, is currently leading a fundraising campaign called Imagining Space in an attempt to purchase the school as a home base for its future programming.  Proposals include an off-campus program for college students from around the country who would study while serving local organizations and businesses as interns.  *cino directors Rob and Kirstin Vander Giessen-Reitsma have also been in discussion with local community leaders about other programs that would benefit the neighborhood and the city, including arts and vocational training for at-risk youth and community gardens.

Throughout the month of May, the Vander Giessen-Reitsmas, along with their bi-national board of directors, have been gathering financial commitments toward the $20,000 needed by May 27th in order to secure the property from the current private owner.  Donations have been coming in from around the U.S. and Canada—from college students giving $10 or $50 to farmers and teachers stretching their means to commit up to $1,000.  “We’ve been encouraged by the diversity of people who are excited about this project, from local Three Rivers folks to out-of-state supporters who have been reading our online magazine for years,” said Rob Vander Giessen-Reitsma.

*culture is not optional was incorporated in 2001 and since then has focused on education through its online magazine and print journals and books, in addition to workshops and annual conferences.  The faith-based organization exists to encourage Christians to live out a faith that affects all areas of their lives, not just what they do on Sunday mornings.  “We want to explore what faith has to do with food, with housing, with community development, with vocation, with everything,” said Rob Vander Giessen-Reitsma.  “And we want to do so in a way that is compelling and of service to all people, not just Christians.  Having a space in Three Rivers will provide an opportunity to live these things out, while also serving the community and connecting students to its many resources.”  The Vander Giessen-Reitsmas hope that, if they reach the fundraising goal to be able to purchase Huss School, the programming the building is able to house will be of long term benefit to the Three Rivers area in terms of service and education, but also tourism and neighborhood revitalization.

A web site set up for the Imagining Space campaign has more information about the campaign vision and background of *cino, as well as a graph tracking donations and a page for online contributions (http://www.cultureisnotoptional.com/space).

“We realize this is a huge undertaking and that, beyond the initial $20,000 goal, we’ll be doing a lot more fundraising and grant writing to get the building up to code,” said Rob Vander Giessen-Reitsma.  “But we really feel called to do all we can to revive such an important community space as Huss and we can’t do that without many people chipping in what they’re able.”

The Vander Giessen-Reitsmas, who also co-founded World Fare in downtown Three Rivers in 2003, will be holding a Q & A session for interested community members and campaign contributors at 5:30pm on Friday, May 22 at World Fare (37 N. Main Street in Three Rivers).

Links for more information:

•    Imagining Space campaign web site
•    Photos of Huss School
•    *culture is not optional
•    catapult magazine

Source:  News release from Rob and Kirstin Vander Giessen-Reitsma