Federal Valley Resource Center

THE PURPOSE OF THE FEDERAL VALLEY RESOURCE CENTER (FVRC), A NON-PROFIT 5013 ORGANIZATION, IS TO MANAGE, OPERATE, AND USE THE HISTORIC ROME-CANAAN SCHOOL CAMPUS IN STEWART, OHIO, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY AND SURROUNDING AREA, FVRC IS FOCUSED ON THE PRESERVATION OF THESE HISTORIC BUILDINGS, WHILE PROVIDING THE COMMUNITY WITH A PLACE FOR GATHERING AND EVENTS FEATURING ART, HISTORY, MUSIC, SPORTS, AND EDUCATION, AMONG OTHER ACTIVITIES. FVRC IS COMMITTED TO HELPING THE COMMUNITY WITH AN ESTABLISHED THRIFT STORE AND FOOD PANTRY.

AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE FVRC MISSION IS TO MAINTAIN AND PRESERVE THE HISTORIC ROME CANAAN SCHOOL CAMPUS (BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS) LOCATED IN STEWART, OHIO. RESTORATION PROJECTS THIS PAST YEAR INCLUDE A SMALL CLASSROOM TO BE USED AS A BOOKROOM, LARGE CLASSROOM INCLUDING EXPOSED BRICK WALL FOR AN EXERCISE ROOM, MANY IMPROVEMENTS TO AUDITORIUM AND START TO WORK ON THE OLD HOME ECONOMICS ROOM THAT WILL ENHANCE OUR FOOD PANTRY. GENERAL MAINTENANCE, AND RESTORATION ARE CONDUCTED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. COMMITTEES ARE HEADED BY FVRC BOARD MEMBERS AND INCLUDE VOLUNTEERS SOME OF WHICH ARE FORMER ALUMNI OF ROOM CANAAN SCHOOL.

THIS COMMUNITY CENTER HAS A LARGE MUSIC PROGRAM WHICH CATERS TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF ALL AGES AND EXPERIENCE. THIS FREE PROGRAM KEEPS REGULAR HOURS AND BY APPOINTMENT. IT INCLUDES AN EXTENSIVE INSTRUMENT LENDING LIBRARY WITH 100 PLUS INSTRUMENTS, PRIVATE INSTRUCTION, WORKSHOPS, PERFORMANCES AND WELL-EQUIPPED REHEARSAL SPACE. THE MUSIC ROOM IS IN THE ORIGINAL 1897 TWO ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE WHICH HAS BEEN FULLY RESTORED.

FVRC CONTINUES TO MAINTAIN SEVERAL BUILDINGS WHICH INCLUDE: 1) 1897 ORIGINAL TWO ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE THAT HOUSES COMMUNITY ROOM AND MUSIC ROOM, 2) 1920 ADDITION TO MAIN BUILDING THAT HOUSES MEETING ROOM, KITCHEN, AUDITORIUM, BOOK ROOM, FOOD PANTRY, THRIFT STORE AND SEVERAL OTHER ROOMS, 3) 1940 GYMNASIUM. IN THE PAST YEAR THE CENTER HOSTED MUSIC PERFORMANCES AND OFFERED FREE INSTRUCTION IN ART, QUILTING AND MUSIC, ALONG WITH THE THRIFT STORE BEING OPEN 3 DAYS A WEEK. PERFORMANCES AND PROGRAMS AVERAGED 50 TO 75 ATTENDEES. MEETING AND ACTIVITY SPACE WERE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE FOR BAND PRACTICE, AREA PROGRAM PLANNING AND NON-DENOMINATIONAL YOUTH MINISTRY. FVRC'S FOOD PROGRAM EXPANDED TO INCLUDE A WELL-STOCKED PANTRY, WEEKLY FOOD DISTRIBUTION AND MONTHLY FOOD BOXES TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN NEED. MULTIPLE SPACES AT FVRC ARE AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE PARTIES, REUNIONS, WEDDINGS, BALL PRACTICE, ETC. TO AREA INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS FOR A LOW-COST FEE. PROCEEDS ARE USED TO OFFSET UTILITY COSTS AND BUILDING UPKEEP. ANOTHER SOURCE OF INCOME USED FOR BUILDING REPAIR AND RESTORATION IS THE THRIFT STORE LOCATED IN OUR BASEMENT (FORMER BASKETBALL COURT 1920 TO 1920 AND THEN AS A CAFETERIA). IT OFFERS GENTLY USED CLOTHING AND HOME GOODS AT LOW COST. THE THRIFT STORE HAS MORE THAN TRIPLED ITS INCOME. STUDENTS FROM NEARBY FEDERAL HOCKING HIGH SCHOOL PARTICIPATE IN HELPFUL INTERNSHIPS (REQUIREMENT FOR GRADUATION) AND OCCASIONALLY COMMUNITY SERVICE WORKERS ARE PLACED AT FVRC