YWCA slates 49 Tremont development opening ceremony

The YWCA of the Niagara Frontier will celebrate the opening of its housing development, at 49 Tremont St., with a 1 p.m. ribbon-cutting July 14 in North Tonawanda.

49 Tremont is the fourth state housing program the YWCA has established in Niagara County, creating a footprint totaling in excess of $11 million in housing developments throughout the region. The new project builds on the YWCA’s history of providing housing for victims of domestic violence without a place to call home, and comes as a result of the 2015 merger of the YWCA of Niagara and the YWCA of the Tonawandas. This union allowed the newly formed YWCA of the Niagara Frontier to strengthen its portfolio and increase its effectiveness within a broader geographical area.

Directly across from Historic Riviera Theatre in the downtown area of North Tonawanda, this 12-apartment, supported permanent residence with a social enterprise component, will aid women in avoiding homelessness and escaping family violence. Programs offered aim to help residents gain stability while preparing for economic self-sufficiency.

This is the YWCA’s first supportive housing enterprise for single women.

YWCA of Niagara Frontier CEO Kathleen Granchelli, said, “The YWCA board of directors and staff are very excited to have this project completed and open to serve the needs of the women in our community.”

The ground floor of the historic, refurbished building will feature a café providing refreshment for the community and residents at the Tremont apartments. This commercial enterprise will also provide residents with on-site workforce training and employment opportunities, a model that has proven successful for the YWCA and its clients.

49 Tremont was made possible through funding from the Housing Trust Fund Corp., New York State Homeless Housing and Assistance Program, Empire State Development Corp., City of North Tonawanda and Yahoo Foundation, with construction financing by M&T Bank.

The YWCA of the Niagara Frontier and its forerunners have a 125-year history of engagement in and with their communities, evolving with the needs of the times and consistently supporting the mission of empowering women, eliminating racism, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.