Founder refines plan with wellness, STEM focus as nonprofit moves through startup phase
As Lansdale continues to reimagine its community spaces — from the refurbished Freight House reopening under Discover Lansdale to ongoing downtown revitalization like El Limon's new event space — a brand-new vision is continuing to take shape, now with a clearer roadmap and expanded focus.
The proposed Gabriella Rose Community Center, a nonprofit initiative aimed at creating a “third place” for youth and families, has entered its formal startup phase, according to Founder and Executive Director Gianluca Vera-LoPiccolo.
While the organization is incorporated in Pennsylvania, it is currently in “status pending” for its federal 501(c)(3) designation. Vera-LoPiccolo , a North Penn High School and North Montco Technical Career Center biomedical technology grad, said the group has secured pro bono legal counsel to guide the IRS determination process, a step he described as critical to building a strong foundation. Joining him on his vision quest is Founding Board Member and Outreach Coordinator Eshan Jahan and Board Secretary and Director of Community Engagement (and Gianluca's mother) Anna LoPiccolo
At the same time, the vision for the center has evolved.
What began with a more narrow concept has expanded into two core pillars: a Wellness Center and a Tech Hub.
The Wellness Center will focus on holistic fitness, emphasizing both physical health and mental well-being, Vera-LoPiccolo said, while the Tech Hub will serve as a space for STEM education and digital literacy programming.
Drawing from his background as a biotechnology student, Vera-LoPiccolo said he is personally designing hands-on programs intended to complement traditional classroom learning.
"I grew up in the gap that so many Lansdale families live in today. My dad was always at work to keep us afloat, and my mom stayed home as long as she could before she had to go back to work, too. That left me at home with my brother, with nowhere to go. We did Scouts, but that was only once a week—the other six days, there was nothing," Vera-LoPiccolo said. "Then COVID-19 hit, and the few 'Third Places' we did have were either closed or heavily restricted. My mom was forced to make the impossible choices so many parents face: deciding between rent and food, or the 'luxuries' of after-school programs. I’m building this center because no parent should have to choose between their child’s growth and their family's survival."
He said he wants to build a sanctuary that he wish he had then.
"I know firsthand that when you don't have a 'Third Place'—a sanctuary outside of home and school—it’s easy for life to take a different path. I’m not running away from the challenges of this town; I’m staying to build the place I needed when I was a kid," he said. "This center is for every child currently sitting at home because their parents are working hard to provide, and for every neighbor tired of being told they don't qualify for help."
Named in memory of his daughter, Gabriella Rose, who died at just one month old, the project remains deeply personal. Vera-LoPiccolo said the mission is to provide a safe, structured environment where young people can connect, develop skills and find a sense of belonging outside of home and school.
“Lansdale’s youth need a third place — a safe harbor between home and school where they can grow,” he said.
The organization is currently working toward a $25,000 launch goal, with funds earmarked for securing a physical location and outfitting the planned program spaces. Organizers are continuing to explore walkable sites within the borough, with an emphasis on accessibility and integration into the community fabric without adding traffic strain.
Its $25,000 Launch Roadmap includes Phase 1 of $5,000 for securing a physical location in Lansdale and finalizing all legal and filing fees. Then, Phase 2, a $10,000 Innovation Lab project involving the purchase of high-speed hardware, workstations, and tech infrastructure for STEM and gaming. Finally, Phase 3, The Fitness Hub, which involves outfitting the space with professional-grade fitness equipment, safety flooring, and wellness gear.
Early outreach and social media efforts — including a behind-the-scenes “Day in the Life” series documenting the project’s development — have generated strong community interest, Vera-LoPiccolo said, reinforcing the demand for a dedicated youth-centered space in the borough.
As Lansdale continues investing in gathering spaces and community identity, the Gabriella Rose Community Center is positioning itself as a different kind of anchor — one focused not just on events, but on daily engagement, growth and connection.
If realized, the project aims to offer something increasingly rare: a place to go, a place to stay, and a place to belong.
