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Founders Hall is more than just bricks and mortar, it is a community where people from many different walks of life can come together to share similar interests and experiences. Our community of seniors is a group of active, creative, innovative and caring life seekers who look forward to growing and learning with their friends and peers in a comfortable environment created to fit their needs. Founders Hall is proud to be your community. |
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Welcome to Founders Hall! We are a community dedicated to providing a diverse program of social, educational and physical fitness programs for today’s active seniors, 60 years of age or older, in Ridgefield and the surrounding area. Our doors opened in November 2002 and our first semester of classes began on March 3, 2003.
Founders Hall schedules four ten-week semesters each year offering a variety of classes, including fitness programs and academic classes. For those interested in creative and artistic endeavors, there are also art classes along with a full range of crafts taught in our Art and Craft Studios. For the technology savvy and novices alike, computer classes are taught in our Computer Lab. Furthermore, we have a Distinguished Speaker Series that includes lectures from leaders in the worlds of academia, politics, the arts, business, and the professions. Our On-The-Road program offers trips to museums, theatres and casinos. Also, twice a week, we have free movies in our Media Room.
Call Founders Hall for more details or check out Programs and Services on our website. Please note that you need to be a member to sign-up for semester classes and to take part in our On-The-Road trips. There is no fee to become a member. We are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call 431-7000 to schedule an appointment for a tour and registration.
At Founders Hall, we welcome volunteers in areas such as class instructors, computer coaches, hosting events, office work and tour guides. If you would like to volunteer, call us at 431-7000 or send an email to foundershall@founders-hall.org.
Gift Certificates can be purchased and used for programs and events. These make great birthday, anniversary, and holiday gifts. Call for more information.
Come join us and be part of the excitement! Tour our facility now.
Grace Weber
Grace Weber
Director
Founders Hall was conceived and built by The Ridgefield Senior Center Foundation, a not-for-profit organization started by the families of Elaine and John Couri and Liz and Steven Goldstone. The families named the new building "Founders Hall" to honor their older friends and neighbors.
The Town of Ridgefield graciously provided a beautiful site in the downtown area on a campus that includes the Town's Parks and Recreation facility. The Founders Hall project was undertaken with the objective of setting a new standard for senior recreation and education by combining a state of the art facility with a caring and committed staff and an exciting curriculum of classes and activities.
 Grace Weber, Director
Grace joined Founders Hall as Program Coordinator in 2003, took on the responsibility for development and community relations in September 2005 and was appointed Director of Founders Hall in January 2006. Her background includes institutional trust marketing, information systems consulting and consumer marketing as well as five years on the board of directors for a child welfare agency serving as chair of their development program. Grace holds a BBA from the University of Notre Dame. She moved from the Midwest to Ridgefield, Connecticut, with her husband and four children in 1998.
 Lynda Gutman, Director of Development
After much success in the corporate world and owning her own business, Lynda brought her talents to Founders Hall in the fall of 2006. Her corporate career was in Information Technology and her last position was Chief Information Officer for Guinness North America. Lynda graduated from the University at Albany with a degree in Management Information Systems. Since moving to Ridgefield in 1998, she has served as PTA president as well as the President of the Ridgefield Council of PTAs and serves on the board of the National Charity League.
 Lisa Corso, Volunteer & Events Coordinator
Lisa Corso has a B.S. in Elementary/Special Education. Previous work experiences include developing intergenerational programs with adult/child day care concepts in Allentown, Pa. Since moving to Ridgefield in 1997, Lisa has been active in many organizations. She has been a Girl Scout leader, served on the board of the National Charity League and has volunteered for the Soccer Club of Ridgefield and the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Before coming to Founders Hall in 2006, she was an assistant teacher for St Mary’s Pre-K program.
 Tracy Dubin, Program & Development Assistant
Tracy has a master’s degree in theater management and worked at the Public Theater in New York City for 10 years before becoming a stay-at-home mom. Her return to the working world brought her to Founders Hall in 2006. She leads two Girl Scout troops and often volunteers at Branchville Elementary School. Her efforts on the Ridgefield Arts Council were a key element to bringing the Senior Arts Festival to Founders Hall for the first time in 2005.
 Kathy Hurley, Bookkeeper
Kathy joined the staff in March 2006. A graduate of Fordham University, she brings along her experience as a controller for a law firm in New York City. Originally from the Bronx, Kathy moved to Ridgefield in 1998. She has three children and is active in the PTA and the National Charity League.
 Michele Kohari, Communications Manager
A native Ohioan, Michele moved to Ridgefield in 1996 by way of Delaware where she was active in the Newcomers Club, local PTAs and neighborhood associations. She was an assistant to the social services director at Arbors at New Castle, a sub-acute care and nursing home facility. After five years as a news assistant at The News-Times, Michele joined the staff as an administrative assistant before moving into her current position in February 2006.
 Sarah DeGennaro, Front Desk Manger
A Ridgefield resident since 1991, Sarah also joined the Founders Hall staff in 2006. She attended Marymount College in Virginia where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree. She worked at PriceWaterhouse in New York City before moving to Ridgefield. She is active in Girl Scouts, St. Mary’s Church and School and the National Charity League. You will find her seated at the front desk on weekday mornings.
 Sandy Staples, Front Desk Manager
After several years in customer service at William Pitt, Sandy joined the Founders Hall staff in the fall of 2006. Cub Scouts, field trips and volunteering kept her busy when her now teenaged sons were young. Her quiet smile will greet you in the afternoons.
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