Sean Timms Calvin Center Roof Fund

The Calvin Center is a 114 year old, three story, brick school building that is located in the Mahoning Commons neighborhood, just outside of downtown Youngstown, Ohio.  Designed by renowned architect P. Ross Berry, the building was originally constructed as an elementary school for the West side of Youngstown, and was then used by the Hungarian Presbyterian Church for many years.  After closing, it sat vacant for decades, until the building was purchased and reopened in 2010 by Sean Timms, with the hopes of turning it into a community arts center.

Six years later, through the efforts of Sean and many others, the Calvin Center for the Arts is a popular hub for the local arts and athletics community. The building is currently home to LCAA Sports, EOS Whole Fitness, and the Rust Belt Theater Company.  Other organizations utilize the facilities as well, including Youngstown SOUP, The Victorian Players, U.N Act, the MV Trans/Partner Support Group, Mahoning Valley Players, and many more. It is regularly used by local photographers and artists for its beautiful architecture, and by both local and nationally touring bands as a concert venue. It has hosted countless events over the years, including weddings, baby showers, graduation parties, dance parties, art shows, fitness conventions, community projects, as well as numerous fundraisers for nonprofit groups, often at no cost to the organizations themselves.

Sadly, just as the Calvin Center for the Arts was beginning to hit its stride, Sean Timms passed away. He did so unexpectedly, on the early morning of November 22, 2015. He was 45 years old. He died from complications of a heart defect. His passing has left a huge hole in the local arts community. He will be greatly missed.

"He would do anything he could to help someone in need. He was all heart, a truly selfless person. He touched the lives of all who knew him." - Shannon Tareshawty, Sean's sister.

"Sean was a people person.  He was a huge supporter of the arts, and a friend to everyone he met.  He would joke that he was constantly  surrounded by talented people, but that he had no actual talent of his own.  But that was his talent...bringing people together. " - Robert Dennick Joki, Rust Belt Theater Co..  

The goal of this campaign is to keep Sean's dream alive. His friends and family have come together in order to keep his beloved building open, but in order to do that we are asking for assistance from the community that Sean so selflessly served. The most immediate concern for the Calvin Center is the roof, which is badly in need of costly repairs.

Please help if you can, or if you are unable to make a donation, please help spread the word. Every little bit helps.

*****In addition to this fundraising page,
the Calvin Center for the Arts will be hosting a "Raise The Roof" event on Saturday, February 27th, from 10pm to 2am. The evening will feature performances by several of the area's favorite bands, including Turbo Lovers, Punk Willie, The Limbs, Hawkeyes, and HamWater, as well as dance and flow arts performances by The Tribe of EOS, Third Street Bellydance, and Infini-Tribe. The event is BYOB, and light hors d'oeuvres will be served. Admission is $10 at the door, with all proceeds benefitting the Sean Timms Calvin Center Roof Fund.  

The Calvin Center is located at 755 Mahoning Avenue, Youngstown, OH, 44502.   

***Please note that the funds generated by this campaign will be withdrawn/handled by Sean's mom, Kathy Timms.  Thank you.