Partnerships in business, by their very nature, create opportunities for the win-win scenario. 
Small businesses, in order to align themselves with the communities they seek to serve, often forge partnerships to prove their utility and add value. At its core, the participants in a partnership derive mutual benefit- the community organization receives a service and the business reaps a profit. When negotiated and executed well, however, the benefits far exceed those of a typical transactional relationship. Greater community awareness, potential referrals, and client testimonials are some of the value-added benefits which, while perhaps not immediately quantifiable, help an emerging business identify the groups most advantageous with which to partner, and drive the initiatives taken by the organizations.
The vision for Gypsy Hill Place was founded upon the principle of creating community partnerships in order to offer an epicenter of activity geared toward an aging population in Staunton and Augusta County,Virginia. Residents of the renovated classrooms-turned-apartments would be able to reap the benefits of such partnerships, taking advantage of the amenities available under one roof and creating value for their rental dollar. Rather than starting new programs and creating offices to provide amenities, the management would facilitate services offered by existing organizations and small businesses.
An inherent strength by creating a community in a former high school building is that the original structure naturally provides defined space. The Old Lee High contained a fair-sized auditorium, large enough that renovation of its existing footprint for any other utility than use as a large gathering space would prove a costly challenge. In collaboration with the City of Staunton’s Economic Development office, it was determined that a community theatre organization could benefit from a more permanent housing arrangement. The partnership that emerged between Gypsy Hill Place and ShenanArts has resulted in more dynamic performances, increased patronage and ticket sales, and long-range planning for their organization. The campus residents have access to unparalleled amenity with “in-house” theatre on an on-going basis, and the surrounding community benefits from the variety and increased programming made available.
At the same time, the City’s Economic Development office had also identified a similar need with Staunton’s Senior Center. The Center hoped to expand facilities to aide volunteers in the Shenandoah Valley’s Meals-on-Wheels program, provide offices for staff with Virginia’s Program for Aging Services (VPAS), and locate a permanent address in order to grow programs and attract greater membership. Such a partnership is a natural fit for a campus geared toward an active aging population. With over 6,000 square feet of program space, and a commercial-adaptable kitchen, the Staunton Senior Center is poised to provide compelling programming for Gypsy Hill Place residents and the greater Staunton/Augusta County region.
The benefits of these partnerships for Gypsy Hill Place are immeasurable. Such expertise and focus on senior living issues could not be afforded by a start-up company, nor could the rich and varied quality of performance be provided for a small, residential community. However, through the collaborative efforts of identifying needs and creating alliances, the partnership Gypsy Hill Place has engaged with ShenanArts and the Staunton Senior Center has provided residents with high-quality amenities, unfathomable for a campus of its scale (merely 62 residential units). Additionally, each of the entities is able to benefit further from the unique aspects of the relationship and the potential for increased awareness of their missions.
While the example of partnership on this campus may be unique, the tenet of an effective partnership is not: the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Gypsy Hill Place is a stronger, more vibrant environment from the relationship with their non-profit tenants. Both ShenanArts and the Staunton Senior Center could not create the climate afforded them without the backing of the commercial business. Ultimately, all are better served from the arrangement, realizing the power of partnership.
To learn more about this unique campus community, click on the attached link: www.gypsyhillplace.com
