The Cooperage Project

This NEPA Gives:  Help Us Grow a Welcoming Home for All!

At The Cooperage Project, something magical happens every day. People of all ages and backgrounds—neighbors who might never have crossed paths—find themselves sharing stories, learning new skills, making music, and celebrating life together. We’re more than just a building; we’re a lively crossroads where everyone is invited to belong.

Our Mission: Embracing Diversity, Creating Community

Our mission is simple but powerful: to invite people of all ages to embrace diversity and shared experiences to create a deeper sense of community. This mission guides everything we do, from our bustling farmers markets to our youth art lounges, from community meals to educational workshops.

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Our Spaces, Now Truly Ours

This year brought us a once-in-a-lifetime gift: our main building, The Cooperage, and Stoneworks Youth Center were officially entrusted to us by one of our founders. These aren’t just walls and roofs—they’re the heartbeat of our mission, the stage for your stories, and the safe haven where dreams take root. With this newfound stability, we’re ready to dream even bigger.

Welcoming the Underserved and Uplifting Youth

We know that not everyone in our region has equal access to opportunity, creativity, or even a safe place to just be themselves. That’s why we work hard to welcome those who are too often left on the sidelines—families facing hardship, young people searching for belonging, and community members who feel unseen. At Stoneworks, youth find a vibrant space to express themselves, discover talents, and build friendships that last. Our programs—from Pop-Up Club to Romping Radishes—are designed to give every young person a voice, a purpose, and a place to shine.

A Playful Vision for the Future

With our buildings now in our care, we’ve rolled up our sleeves and mapped out a bold new strategic plan—our recipe for sustainability, growth, and lasting impact. We’re focused on:

• Keeping our doors wide open—so everyone, no matter their background or circumstance, feels welcome.
• Nurturing creativity and curiosity—with arts, culture, and hands-on learning for all ages.
• Building financial resilience—so The Cooperage Project is here for your children, your grandchildren, and everyone who calls this community home.
• Caring for our beloved spaces—so they stay warm, safe, and bustling for generations.

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Why We Need Your Help Today

Being gifted our buildings is a dream come true, but with great gifts come great responsibilities! We need your support to keep the lights on, the music playing, and the doors open to everyone—especially those who need us most. Your NEPA Gives donation will help us:

Maintain and improve our community spaces,

Expand programs for youth, seniors, and underserved neighbors,

And ensure our welcoming spirit endures for years to come.

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Let’s Build the Future—Together!

We’re at a turning point—a new chapter brimming with possibility. With your help, we can keep The Cooperage Project thriving as a joyful gathering place where everyone belongs.

Give today through NEPA Gives and help us plant seeds of creativity, hope, and togetherness that will grow for generations.

Thank you for being part of our story. We can’t wait to see what we’ll create together!

Who We Are

The mission of The Cooperage Project is to offer a range of instructive and entertaining activities that will engage, challenge, and enlighten. Through a variety of programs, we will inspire people of all ages to both embrace diversity and celebrate shared experience to create a deeper sense of community.

The Cooperage Project was founded in 2012 in a restored barrel making factory with the idea that strong communities are built upon strong relationships. We strive to foster a culture of collaboration and a space where big ideas have room to grow. The Cooperage is more than just a brick building. It is a vibrant hub for people of all ages, incomes, and abilities to meet, learn, grow, and have fun.

Our vision to support a strong, healthy, and collaborative community stands true now more than ever, in the face of COVID19. Unable to open our doors to our usual programming, The Cooperage Project has shifted it's primary focus these last few months to meet the immediate needs of the community by serving as an emergency food pantry.