The River Forest Community Center is asking neighbors to help it celebrate 51 years with a $51,000 fundraising campaign as the nonprofit prepares for a transition in ownership of the building it has called home for decades.

The campaign, launched July 20 on Givebutter, had raised $13,183 as of Thursday, Aug. 13, according to the campaign page. Executive Director Jonathan Livingston is accepting online donations and checks mailed to the center at 8020 Madison St., River Forest, IL 60305. The first 100 donors who give $51 or more receive an "I love RFCC" tote bag.

The fundraising effort comes as the future of the Community Center's building takes shape.

The River Forest Civic Center Authority voted Aug. 4 to move forward with transferring ownership of the building at 8020 Madison St. to the Village of River Forest. The transfer is subject to action by the Village Board, with the transition expected to take effect Sept. 29 if approved.

The Authority has been grappling with the cost of maintaining the aging building. An architectural assessment by FGMA estimated millions of dollars in needed capital repairs, including a new roof. The Authority does not have taxing authority and has had limited reserves available to address the building's long-term needs.

The Community Center is one of several organizations operating in the building, along with Opportunity Knocks, which serves people with disabilities; CAYR Connections, which serves neurodivergent people; and River Forest Township offices.

Jonathan Livingston said the village's potential acquisition would give the Community Center and its tenants a path to remain in the building rather than facing the financial pressure that could otherwise result from higher rents.

Village President Cathy Adduci has said the village is committed to keeping the building open and maintaining its role as a community resource.

New leadership, new position

Livingston took over as executive director in late May, succeeding longtime executive director Dick Chappell. He has since been building out the Community Center's staff and operations.

In July, the center hired Leslie Farrer as director of operations, a newly created position. Farrer previously served on the Community Center's board and became involved in discussions about the future of the Civic Center building.

Farrer resigned from the board when she became a Community Center employee and began her new position July 27.

In an interview with the Wednesday Journal, Farrer described the broad range of responsibilities she will handle, including bookkeeping, accounts payable and receivable, social media, payroll processing and working with the front desk team.

Farrer moved to River Forest in 2020 and previously worked in Chicago kitchens after training as a pastry chef before moving into operations and bookkeeping.

The Community Center employs 27 people, according to the organization, and is expanding its Early Childhood Center this fall.

Residents can support the $51,000 campaign through the Community Center's Givebutter fundraising page or by mailing a check payable to River Forest Community Center.