In 2019, during a holiday event hosted by the Lancaster Depew Elma Chamber of Commerce, Tom Sweeney and his wife Lisa found themselves in a conversation that would spark a years-long journey of community service. While catching up with family friend and longtime Village Trustee Audrey Hamernik, they began discussing the mission of the Depew Community Action Team—an organization committed to meeting essential needs within the Depew community—and the possibility of reviving the long-abandoned Depew Community Center.

The organization’s work has already touched countless lives. Their well-known initiative, Matthews Table, provides a hot meal at the end of each month—timed to help residents when SNAP benefits often run low. These dinners not only offer nourishment but also create space for conversation, connection, and learning about the community’s evolving needs. Through this engagement, the organization recognized a critical gap: the need for low-cost, walkable services such as accessible laundry and other essentials.

When the vacant church building at 570 Gould Avenue surfaced as a potential home for these services, it felt like fate. It offered the perfect layout and location—but required a massive renovation effort. Fortunately, this kind of challenge was “right up Tom and Lisa’s alley.” From 2019 through its official reopening in September 2024, the couple worked alongside teams of volunteers—ranging from two Eagle Scout projects to multiple church groups (both local and out-of-state) and a dedicated group of daily helpers—to bring the building back to life.

The dream behind this transformation belonged to Audrey Hamernik, who was deeply involved in both the Depew Community Action Team and numerous other nonprofit efforts. Just weeks before her passing, the renovated building opened its doors, and the kitchen was dedicated in her honor—a meaningful tribute to her vision and lifelong commitment to service.

For Tom, the most fulfilling part has been using his skillset to revive a building that now functions as a hub of hope and support. He continues to help the center grow, with goals that include securing grants for parking expansion and expanding its future services.

As he reflects on this journey, Tom is most grateful for the opportunity to connect more deeply with the community and for the privilege of helping create a resource now used seven days a week by local groups and residents.

How Neighbors Can Get Involved

There are countless ways to support the ongoing work of the Depew Community Center and the Depew Community Action Team. Whether you have time, skills, or simply the desire to help, the organization welcomes new volunteers with open arms. The easiest way to get started is by contacting them directly through their Facebook page, where opportunities and updates are regularly posted.