How the Community Zone Came to Be
Co-founders: Cynthia Peltier and Farida Zaid
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The CommUnity Zone opened its doors at 417 Market Street in Lewisburg, PA in February 2012. The goal of the Zone has always been to create a space where all members of the Susquehanna Valley would come together to share ideas and share all the talent and resources.
The inaugural event: Lewisburg to Celebrate Good Neighbors: A Beloved Community honored Doug and Margie Sturm who took the concept of what it means to be an engaged citizen to heart. Their volunteerism and creativity knew no bounds. The day was full of entertainment and information encompassing a broad vision for bold and vigorous volunteerism expressing it through a multidisciplinary artistic expression that emerges from a love for one’s community and vision for a better world. A plaque was installed in the park to to commemorate these two exemplary people and serves as a reminder to the importance of what it means to be an engaged citizen. |
The Zone Today: Community Partnerships
Toward the end of 2021, the CommUnity Zone realized that it had grown beyond the space it had used for the last decade. While that location was ideal in many ways - located in the heart of downtown, and just next door to the Campus Theatre - it was also a small, single-roomed office tucked away between larger neighbors. The Zone was also engaging more and more in collaboration with the Lewisburg Downtown Partnership, who were also looking for a new office location. And both of these groups were interested in moving from begging, borrowing, and stealing space for events to having a space of our very own for hosting friends and supporters.
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With a bit of luck and a lot of elbow grease, the directors of both groups - Cynthia Peltier of the CommUnity Zone and Ellen Ruby of the Downtown Partnership - found the perfect place. In February of 2022, they joined forces at 328 Market Street to form the Community Partnerships building. In the months that have followed, this space has slowly but surely grown toward our goal of forming a central hub for all things Lewisburg, with office space for both our organizations, a central room with a stage and seating for all sorts of events, and a window front and hallway space for posters and brochures. It's even an official satellite office of the Visitor's Bureau!
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Ellen Ruby (left) of the Lewisburg Downtown Partnership, Scotta Magnelli (center) formerly of the Campus Theatre, and Cynthia Peltier (right) of the CommUnity Zone: Three community leaders representing three great partners in Lewisburg!
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If you haven't managed to swing by already, we'd love for you to see the Community Partnerships office and say hello to this wonderful pair of organizations. As the CommUnity Zone moves into its second decade, we're thrilled to continue our mission in a new home that embodies all the ideals we stand for.
Read this great article about the CommUnity Zone by our friend Erica Shames of WVIA!
Read this great article about the CommUnity Zone by our friend Erica Shames of WVIA!
Diversity, Inclusion & Equality StatementThe CommUnity Zone strives to reflect the community’s needs for diversity, inclusion, and equality, as well as educating the community about diversity, inclusion & equality in order to broaden community awareness on the importance of these issues as reflected in the fine and performing arts.
The CommUnity Zone:
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Our Mission, Our Vision
The idea behind the CommUnity Zone is right in our name: the emphasis of UNITY in our COMMUNITY. We work to connect the people of the Central Susquehanna Valley with health and human services and programs focused on society, the arts, and culture, in order to build strong, diverse, and thriving bonds. Our vision is a community where all individuals, organizations, and businesses share ideas, talents, and resources to create and maintain a connected, caring, healthy, and vibrant Valley.
The CommUnity Zone works together with a multitude of partners in and around Lewisburg and the Susquehanna Valley to provide a wide variety of programs that support diversity, inclusion and equality that are welcoming, vibrant, and reflective of the diverse experiences and stories within our community. 
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Our Work
- Develop community engagement throughout the Central Susquehanna Valley
- Gather multiple perspectives from throughout the valley
- Create a variety of programming to bring people together
- Advocate for justice, peace, and equal opportunity for all in every avenue of life
- Support and promote sustainable initiatives
- Leverage our network of partners and patrons to ensure resources are more readily available to all.
Our Staff
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Cynthia Peltier
Co-founder and Director The vision is to promote community collaboration and enhance public/private partnerships in order to strategically and measurably improve the lives of the underserved and under-resourced in the Central Susquehanna Valley. She has been a community organizer throughout her life, serving in leadership roles as a board member for the Campus Theatre and the Donald Heiter Community Center in Lewisburg, the League of Women Voters, the Central Susquehanna Valley Mediation Center, and the Community Alliance for Respect & Equity. In addition, she worked as the Operations Manager and exhibitions coordinator at Bucknell University’s Samek Art Gallery for 28 years. |
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Erin DeSantis
Media and Technology Coordinator Erin is a senior at Lewisburg Area High School who is highly involved in community organizing and volunteering in our area. She is happy to bring her social media and communication skills to the Zone. |
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Lauren Anderson
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Our Advisory Board
Scotta Magnelli - Rosalyn Richards - Helen Nunn - Elayne Sobel - Patti Urosevich - Daniel Wilt