Raising kids is hard. Let’s do it together.

Join us this winter/spring as a member of CommonSpace, a cooperative indoor gathering space for families in Mt Airy, Philadelphia.

What is Mt Airy Family Commons?

Mt Airy Family Commons (MAFC) is a Northwest Philadelphia initiative intended to create a consistent “third space” for families in Mt Airy, building connection and community for caregivers and kids. Currently, MAFC is volunteer-led by parents and community organizers Hannah Fenlon, Linda Joy, and Hannah Newman.You can connect with us via the contact form at the bottom of the page, or join our mailing list for updates!

What is CommonSpace?

CommonSpace is a cooperative indoor community space. Not a fancy playspace. Not drop-off childcare. Think of it as an extension of your living room. This winter/spring, Mt Airy Family Commons is partnering with Holy Cross Catholic Church to pilot CommonSpace on their campus, located on E. Mt Airy Ave and Boyer St. This looks like:

  • Cozy rooms for play, reading, art, music, and games

  • Space for kids and caregivers to coexist

  • A sizeable kitchen for gathering around meals

  • Low cost occasional programming for kids and grown-ups

  • Shared responsibility that keeps costs low and the space welcoming

Why CommonSpace?

A “third space” is somewhere you go regularly, informally, and by choice. Not home. Not work. Just casual and welcoming community.Mt Airy has great playgrounds and loads of structured class opportunities, but when it’s cold, rainy, or dark at 4:30pm, families are limited in our choice of "third spaces" to just be with kids and other adults. Mt Airy Family Commons hopes to change that.

The Logistics

Our winter/spring pilot will take place over a 3-month period, with the goal of extending our tenancy at Holy Cross (or finding an alternate space in Mt Airy) after that. Mt Airy Family Commons is not religiously affiliated. Holy Cross is generously hosting our pilot.

  • When: January 28 – April 26, 2026

  • Days & hours:

  • Wed–Fri 4:30–7:30pm

  • Sat–Sun 9:00am–7:30pm

  • Where: 148 E Mt Airy Ave, Holy Cross's former convent

Membership

CommonSpace is member-supported. Families help care for the space so it stays affordable, clean, and community-owned in spirit.For security and accountability purposes, only registered members will have access to CommonSpace, but are welcome to bring a guest family up to 1x a month. New members will be asked to sign a code of conduct and liability waiver/photo release form, as well as select a time to attend a brief new member orientation upon initial registration.

Working Membership

$20/month

5 hrs of service shifts/month
Light monitoring, organizing, upkeep

Sustaining Membership

$35/month

No volunteer shifts required
Supports access for other families

Community Membership

Pay what you can

For families on the SNAP program, or experiencing financial hardship.

Interested in visiting the space before you commit?
Attend a new member orientation session and then decide!

Upcoming Member Events

Valentine-Making & Pizza Party!

$10/family • Friday, 13 February • 5:30 – 7:30pm

Arts & Crafts with Kelly

$10/family • Saturday, 21 February • 10:00 – 11:00am

Grownups Event: Game night

Free! • Saturday, 21 February • 8:00 – 10:00pm

Little Yogis: a Family Yoga Adventure

$10/family • Sunday, 22 February • 10:00 – 10:45am

Music with Keisha Hutchins Hirlinger

$10/family • Saturday, 28 February • 10:00 – 10:45am

FAQ

Why a church? Why a convent?
As we searched for pilot location for CommonSpace, we explored several options in Mount Airy and ultimately discovered a large, under-utilized former convent on the campus of Holy Cross Catholic Church. The space met all our needs—a generous kitchen, flexible rooms for play, and winter-ready utilities. The Holy Cross community welcomed our vision for the building and has agreed to host us during the pilot.

Churches are among society’s original “third spaces,” designed for large gatherings and community. Despite our location, the Mount Airy Family Commons itself has no religious affiliation, and both Holy Cross and MAFC are committed to welcoming families of all (or no!) faith traditions.
Can I bring friends/grandparents?
Yes! Members are eligible to bring one guest family per month, and children of member families can be accompanied by any caregiving adults (including grandparents, aunts, uncles, babysitters, etc. who are over 18). However, please note that a waiver must be signed for each non-member visitor, so advance notice is necessary.
Can we bring food and/or cook in the kitchen?
Yes! The kitchen and its equipment are available for use by adults over 18. Refrigerators are available for storing food, but all food will be disposed of weekly on Sunday night at 7:30p.
Can I bring my own toys to the space?
While you may bring your own toys, we encourage you to keep track of personal belongings carefully. Likewise, we ask for your help ensuring CommonSpace items remain in our space.
What ages will be best served by this space?
The space will most likely be best enjoyed by ages 0-10 (and their caregivers!).
Tell me more about your budget. What is my money going towards?
Mount Airy Family Commons relies on membership fees to cover monthly rent for our space, utilities, administrative costs like website hosting and insurance, and any programming costs, material and/or maintenance costs that arise month-to-month. Organizing for this initiative is on a volunteer basis, so no staffing costs are included in our current budget. Our aim is to keep costs low, but to be good stewards of the space and partners to Holy Cross.
Who is in charge here, anyway?

Mt Airy Family Commons has been influenced by the leadership and input of countless local parents and families, but our current organizing team includes Hannah Fenlon, Linda Joy, and Hannah Newman.

Hannah F is an East Mt Airy resident, arts management consultant, and professional gatherer and facilitator who is also mom to a 3.5 year old.

Linda is a product designer, thrower of very good parties, and mom to a three- and six-year-old.

Hannah N is a former educator, mom-community superstar, and mom to a wildhaired 3-year-old.

You will likely see these three in and around the space regularly, and they will be happy to see you!

What is the history of this idea/initiative?
Mt Airy Family Commons emerged from a desire to break away from the social isolation that often accompanies young parenthood, and make it more easeful and joyful to raise kids in community. In April 2025, an impromptu email and data-gathering effort led to widespread enthusiasm, which was followed by a series of organized events intended to gather input about what kind of “third space” would suit local families. Once we determined that demand existed, we went looking for partners who could help us “test” the idea further, bringing us to Holy Cross.

Want to hear more?

Join our mailing list for updates!

Get in touch

© Mt Airy Family Commons 2026. All rights reserved.

Thank you!

Duis at tellus at urna condimentum mattis pellentesque. Aliquam etiam erat velit scelerisque. Augue mauris augue neque gravida in. Cursus risus at ultrices mi. Ut aliquam purus sit amet.