March
2002
YWCA
offers office space to nonprofit organizations
Two
years ago, the YWCA of Trenton received a grant from the Community
Foundation of New Jersey to convert the unused third floor of the
YW into offices. As a condition of the grant, the office space is
available only to nonprofit organizations.
Today,
they are trying to get the word out. Jane Rohlf, a board member
of the YWCA, sees these offices as an "incubator" of sorts-a
chance for fledgling or struggling nonprofit businesses to spread
their wings in a safer environment. Such organizations need look
no further than East Hanover Street in Trenton.
The
YWCA has seven offices, a bathroom and a kitchen. A grant from citizen
Ted Boyer also enabled the YWCA to redo the conference room, which
today has wood paneling. Each office has a storage space. According
to Ms. Rohlf, a nice feature,considering the city location, is that
each office has a view of trees. Tenants provide their own phone
and modem services, but other utilities are included in the rent.
"We
envision that this space is ideal for small organizations without
big budgets who need a place to work, meet, and store material,"
says Ms. Rohlf. "Rent is guaranteed to be below market rate.
Groups can rent an office for as little as $150 to $220 and can
even share an office for half the rental fee if they don't need
a whole office."
The
building is open between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. and, says
Ms. Rohlf, "There is always security outside." Availability
varies with time; sometimes there are vacancies, and sometimes the
offices are all taken. At press time, there were five offices available.
"We
prefer yearly leases but will consider monthly leases if absolutely
necessary," said Sharon Bonitz of the YWCA.
Past
tenants include Interfaith Hospitality Network, NJ Policy Perspective,
and the Trenton After School program. Each of those organizations
grew to need more space and moved from our third floor incubator
to larger spaces, according to Ms. Bonitz.
For
more information, contact the YWCA at 609-683-0504.
