Breaking Walls and Building Community: Launching Our Webster Revitalization Project

Hard hats on, mallets ready! On Friday, September 25, the Graham community kicked off a historic revitalization project with a wall-breaking celebration at our site at 1946 Webster Avenue in the Bronx. It was a thrilling way to mark a new chapter for Graham’s community supports in the Bronx!

Built by The Bell Telephone System in 1930, Graham’s building at 1946 Webster Avenue originally acted as one of the first local telephone exchanges in the Bronx. It was a place where switchboard operators connected and routed telephone calls and was built with the express purpose of connecting members of the Tremont community! Graham has owned this historic building since 2001. For more than 25 years, it has been a place where children and families have come for helpful help™ whether that’s family support, education or career coaching, or mental health therapy. Now, with the support and generosity of several key partners, we are launching a revitalization that will transform this historic building into a welcoming multi-floor community center where our Graham neighbors can gather, connect, and find resources they trust.  

The ceremony opened with remarks from Graham’s President & CEO, Kimberly Watson, as well as Graham Board Co-Chair, Garrard Beeney. Both expressed their excitement and gratitude to the elected officials, supporters, management, and staff who were present to celebrate the start of this long-hoped-for project. Graham’s Chief Administrative Officer, Edward Fabian, followed their remarks with a brief overview of the planned transformations. He also recognized Cary Cousineau of About the Work and Richie Singh of Kingfisher Contracting, who are the project manager and general contractor, respectively, for the revitalization project work.

Next to the podium were former Board Member, Georgia Wall Gogel, and her husband and philanthropic partner, Don Gogel. Georgia and Don have been unwavering champions of Graham’s work for over three decades—through the entirety of Georgia’s 33-year tenure on our Board of Directors, 19 years of which she served as Board Chair. At our Annual Meeting in May, we announced their monumental $5M gift to this Webster Revitalization Project, and we were honored to have them here to commemorate its launch. In her remarks, Georgia shared her firm belief that all children and young adults deserve the support they need to achieve their dreams. She also expressed confidence in Graham’s ability to deliver on that vision, citing the team’s data, experience, and commitment to creating a welcoming, healing space where children and families can thrive.

In recognition for their commitment to the children, families, and communities of Graham and the Tremont community, we were pleased to share that, once complete, this new hub in the Bronx will be officially known as the Georgia Wall Gogel Tremont Youth and Family Center! 

The program continued with remarks by Fidel Melina, Bronx Regional Representative to the New York State Executive Chamber, who attended the event representing New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s office. Last year, Graham was awarded a competitive $5M New York State BRICKS grant as part of Governor Hochul’s “Unplug & Play” initiative to provide funds for community center renovations. Mr. Melina spoke of his deep roots in the Bronx and his delight at Graham being chosen for this award. Bronx Borough President, Vanessa L. Gibson, shared her enthusiasm for the start of this project noting the difference it will make to the Webster Avenue corridor and sharing her gratitude to Graham, the Governor, and the Gogels for making this investment in the Bronx. 

Finally, Stephanie Henriques, Special Assistant/Strategic Advisor to the Deputy Commissioner Luisa Linares, from New York City’s Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), spoke of Graham’s work to transform family support in the city. On behalf of ACS Deputy Commissioner Linares, Ms. Henriques shared the deep excitement for this project and the important support that Graham’s team will continue to provide to families in the Bronx. 

Early contributions to the renovation work on Graham’s building were acknowledged from the Bronx Borough President’s office as well as State Senator Luis Sepúlveda and the Hyde and Watson Foundation.

At the conclusion of remarks, the entire group moved to the foyer of the building where Georgia, Don, Kym, and others donned hard hats and grabbed mallets. With much gusto, the team broke into a wall amid claps and cheers as first cracks appeared and then chunks of sheetrock gave way! Everyone from elected officials to long-time supervisors to case planners had the chance to take a swing at the wall! The excitement at this first tangible bit of progress was palpable.

None of this happens without an incredible group of partners and the support from our Graham community. We are grateful to everyone who believes in our vision of creating a welcoming space for all and has helped us launch this transformation.  

Renovations are expected to wrap up in about two years, and we can’t wait to welcome our community through the doors of the Georgia Wall Gogel Tremont Youth & Family Center. In the meantime, Graham will keep providing our life-changing helpful help™ to children, youth, and families in the Bronx. 

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