What is the fate of the Five Towns Community Center in Lawrence?

The Five Towns Community Center has been aiding the community in different iterations and names for over 100 years. The community center’s lease expires on July 3, and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman aims to close the Lawrence Avenue facility.

Community members say they never received any notifications or letters regarding the decision. Staff and volunteers of the building and the Headstart Childcare Development Program were also in the dark.

However, the center’s board received a letter from the county on June 17 stating that the “keys would be requested and the county is taking back the property on July 3,” Board President Gwynn Campbell wrote as part of a GoFundMe page she created to help save the center.

The Headstart Childcare Development Program currently has 69 children enrolled, and has been around for over 60 years. This program takes care of children ages three to five and is fully booked for the fall.

“This place has helped my son for two years in some ways a lot of daycares wouldn’t,” Jessica Meyer, a parent, said outside the center on July 2 as developers, lawyers and board members met inside. “I feel like shutting it down now wouldn’t give the other parent’s a chance to even experience this and a lot of them are struggling with money. They work with you here and the hours are amazing, closing this down is horrible.”

The children and staff gathered during a rally at the community center on Tuesday, to fight for their kids and jobs. They were chanting “Hey, hey, ho, ho, closing this are no, no!”

Former student, parent and program teacher Mallory Montalban spoke against the closure. She has relied on the center in more ways than one throughout her life.

“There’s no where for us to go anymore, we have absolutely no place left to call home, this is home for us,” Montalban said. “There’s nothing available inside our community, I’m hoping they change their mind and keep what’s here. As a community we should come out and show support to the people who dedicated their lives for us.”

Nassau County Legislator Carrie Solagés came to show support for his community that he used to represent. As a board member of the EEOC, he oversees the Headstart program. He was only told of this situation, last week at a meeting.

“This is a humanitarian issue, this community center has been here for the community through thick and thin, especially the pandemic,” Solagés said. “It’s unfortunate to see these doors close without any notice to the community.”

The childcare program ends on July 8. The building will remain open until then. Solagés has also sent a letter to Blakeman expressing his concern and asking for the community center to stay open for the children to finish up.

Teachers and families who were rallying for the center remaining open, were being silenced by Campbell. she did speak briefly with the Herald.

“Today, we have counsel to help us communicate with the county, so that we may try to have a fair transition or maybe an extension,” Campbell said. “We’re listening to all our options for that we would like to do.”

For Campbell’s GoFundMe site, go to GoFundMe.