User:Shnugabug/sandbox

{about|a coworking facility in New York}

Coworking at Watercooler
Watercooler, also known by its brand names W@tercooler(TM) or Watercoolerhub, is a coworking or shared workspace based in Tarrytown, New York. It was the first implementation of the coworking model of office or workspace rental in the Westchester County suburbs of New York City. Although prevalent in urban centers, coworking is not yet a common option in the suburban expanses outside these urban centers.

Coworking provides an alternative workspace option for independent workers (such as consultants and freelancers), entrepreneurs, home-based businesses and professionals wishing to occasionally skip their commute. Workspace choice range from a variety of hotdesks (first-come, first served) at individual desks or communal project tables to larger reserved desks to well appointed offices.Coworking

Community
Watercooler is recognized for its commitment to the community it calls home. Contributions are both big and small. Watercooler provides discounted rates to nonprofits and community organizations and regularly donates space to local causes. Through its ongoing Unemployed Mondays program, it provides free use of the facility every Monday to individuals in transition - those who are recently unemployed or trying to re-enter the workforce. Some of the individuals who take advantage of this Unemployed Mondays go one to start their own businesses and become paying members of Watercooler.

This commitment to community has been recognized by the nonprofit community and Watercooler now receives grants and other support from various nonprofits and foundations. This support goes toward subsidizing the Employed Mondays program and a range of programming and workshops geared to entrepreneurship and business development.

Watercooler has served a respite to the community during natural disasters. When Hurricane Sandy caused prolonged power outages, Watercooler opened its doors inviting neighbors to use the space to warm up, to charge their mobile devices, to access the wifi network, and to try to get back to work. During other power outages and similar disruptions, Watercooler has offered discounted use of the space to those affected.

Watercooler has a farmer-in-residence, Deb Taft, of woman-owned farm Mobius Fields. In conjunction with Mobius Fields, Watercooler started a CSA providing a weekly source of direct from farm produce to its members and neighbors (Community Supported Agriculture)Community-supported agriculture. It is also the home of successful Pros(e) of Pie, a moth-style storytelling series combined with pie bake-off.

Founding
Watercooler was founded in 2011 in Tarrytown, New York, by Jenifer Ross. Ross is a recognized voice in the coworking movement and a proven community organizer. She spent many years working for the Villages of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow and was the founder of the successful and ongoing Tarrytown Third Fridays event.