welcome to the CLUBHOUSE
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My name is Ashley Kohl, and in 2016, I founded Ohana School of Performing Arts by taking over the studio my mother ran for 19 years. Our journey has been defined by resilience, overcoming a sudden relocation in 2019 and the challenges of the pandemic.
When our building was put up for sale in 2023, I chose to secure our future by purchasing it along with the adjacent property. This began an exciting new chapter. First, we renovated the neighboring garage into a large new dance and event space. Now, we are transforming the final 3,000 sq. ft. into the Ohana Clubhouse.
Inspired by "Sunnytown Place"—my mother’s beloved play space that we lost in our first move—the Clubhouse will be a vibrant hub for imaginative play. It represents the culmination of our story: a permanent, dedicated space built on perseverance, where our community can find joy and connection.
"Ohana" meaning family, perfectly captured my mission to create a space where
everyone feels included.
We want to make a difference.
My mom previously owned Sunnytown Place, a creative play space for young children, which opened in 2014 at the same location. It was a place designed to encourage imaginative play, strengthen family bonds, and build social skills. It also became a place where she could make memories with my children, Summer and Brody. Ohana and Sunnytown Place were two of four businesses at 470 Newton Street. In March 2019, all tenants were given six weeks' notice that the building had been sold and would be demolished. I found a new home for Ohana at 41 Sheridan Street in Chicopee, MA. Unfortunately, Sunnytown Place, with its built-in structures, couldn't be relocated and closed for good.
Less than a year later, the 2020 global pandemic forced Ohana to close for six months. We reopened in September 2020 with safety measures in place. Then, in the summer of 2023, my landlord announced the sale of 41 and 43 Sheridan Street. I faced three options: be forced out, accept a significant rent increase, or purchase the buildings. In December 2023, I became the owner of both properties, securing Ohana's future.
The former HVAC contractor's space at 43 Sheridan Street, which included a 2,800-square-foot garage, presented an exciting opportunity. I transformed the garage into a spacious dance studio and event venue, further enriching our community's connection. The remaining 3,000 square feet of unused space ignited the vision for the "Ohana Clubhouse"—a chance to revive my mother's dream. She cherished sharing Sunnytown Place with my children, Summer and Brody, and now with three more grandchildren, Maggie, Grayson, and Weston, the Clubhouse will once again be a place for them to create lasting memories. Inspired by Sunnytown Place, the Ohana Clubhouse fosters intergenerational connections, community spirit, and imaginative play. A crowdfunding campaign through the MGCC, fueled by the generosity of friends, family, local businesses, and community members, made this dream a reality—a true testament to the power of community! The Ohana Clubhouse is a haven where families can forge lifelong memories, weaving connections through laughter and play and bringing more light and love into the world.
FUN FACTS ABOUT PLAY
One researcher compared pretend play to a "metaphoric multivitamin" for a child's mind
A"Multivitamin" for the Brain:
Children often use imaginative play to make sense of things they see or experience.
It Helps Kids Process the World:
For a child, play is their natural way of communicating and making sense of the world. By joining in their games, you're speaking their language, which helps them feel understood and valued.
Play is a Language:
Playing with your child helps them cope with stress and builds resilience. The joyful interaction can also help you as a parent reduce your own stress and feel more connected.
Play is a "Stress Buster":
It's a Masterclass in Empathy:
When children pretend to be a doctor, a parent, a superhero, or even a talking animal, they are practicing empathy. By taking on different roles, they learn to understand and feel what it's like to be someone else, a crucial skill for forming meaningful relationships.