Aspire, WCA Home make transfer official
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FREDONIA – Aspire of WNY and the WCA Home Board of Directors have announced the official finalization of the WCA Home transfer. On Aug. 20, the historic property was officially closed and transferred to Aspire of WNY as a gift.
The WCA Home, which closed its doors early in 2023, will now serve as a northern Chautauqua Community hub for Aspire of WNY. The "WCA" will remain and the location will become "Aspire of WNY at the WCA," with WCA now standing for: We Connect All. The name, Aspire officials said, pays homage to the legacy of the WCA home and modernizes it to fit Aspire of WNY's nonprofit mission supporting children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This gift will allow the agency to consolidate its current northern Chautauqua County Chautauqua operations and significantly expand its continuum of care.
“Entrusting this historic building to Aspire of WNY guarantees that our century-long mission of care will not just continue, but truly thrive for generations," said Lori Poniatowski, board president of the WCA Home. "When we met the team at Aspire of WNY, it was clear to me, and the board of directors at the WCA, that they were the right ones to carry on an important mission in this home. Seeing the doors open again, with human services being provided to support the health and wellness of people in our community, means everything to us."
The transition was years in the making. In March of 2025, after plans to sell the historic property were not meeting the vision of the WCA Home board or the needs of the community, the WCA Board put out an ask in the community: are there nonprofits we could gift the home to for legacy continuance into the next 100 years?
After a series of proposals, the WCA Home Board selected Aspire of WNY, a nearly 80-year-old nonprofit agency serving Erie and Chautauqua counties, to be the recipient of the estate.
“We are profoundly grateful for this gift, which allows us to expand our person-centered services and ensure this beautiful property remains a cornerstone of the Fredonia community," said Renee A. Filip, president and CEO of Aspire of WNY.
The gift unites two organizations dedicated to human services. Community members, when notified of the formal transition after a zoning board hearing earlier in 2026, were positive. Neighbors of the property in Fredonia showed their support by coming to the meetings, posting publicly online and sharing letters with both Aspire of WNY and the WCA Home administrative teams.
"This space allows us to enhance community-based services for the people we support," said Carrie Spence, chief operating officer at Aspire of WNY. "Having a homebase in Northern Chautauqua County gives families in this community the opportunity to see their children receive support beyond what we could have hoped."
Aspire of WNY plans to operate various community based programs from their catalogue, including iXpress art, Supported Volunteering & Lifestyle Enrichment (SVLE), Day Hab without Walls, Respite, Community B.R.I.D.G.E.S (connecting people with real life skills for independence in the community), Vocational Services, ADAPT Fashions (retail style training with opportunities for professional garments), workforce training, administrative support, and much more.
"A gift like this is incredible for our organization," said Jennifer Ball, chief financial officer of Aspire of WNY. "Without the care, commitment, and community-oriented leadership of the WCA Board, this historic asset would not be what it is today. We are proud to carry on the legacy and are honored to be the partners chosen to lead the WCA Home into its next chapter of life."
An open house will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 7. To learn more and register, please visit: www.aspirewny.org/events