Development group names
senior program coordinator
Kenya Roberts-Howard Named Senior Program Coordinator for Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation.
Kenya Roberts-Howard has been selected to serve as the senior program coordinator for the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation. Roberts-Howard has spent the majority of her career working in various capacities for community organizations in the Mahoning Valley. She has previously served as the assistant director and development director for two local non-profit organizations.
According to representatives from the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation, her experience in managing and developing programs, grant writing and working with diverse groups of people make her an ideal choice to manage YNDC’s neighborhood development programs. She has earned a master’s in business administration from Youngstown State University, a master’s in education from Westminster College, and a bachelor’s of science degree in chemical engineering from the University of Cincinnati.
“I am very excited to be a part of this self motivated, talented, innovative and progressive thinking team. YNDC has taken on the challenge of leading the revitalization movement in the city of Youngstown, through which we can and will with the help of stakeholders, community partners, and community members renew Youngstown and surrounding neighborhoods to vibrant, flourishing communities,” Roberts-Howard said.
Executive Director Presley Gillespie added, “As YNDC continues to build a high capacity neighborhood development organization with talented staff, Kenya is an outstanding addition to our team. Her high level of experience in fiscal planning, grant writing and implementation of community programming will be a huge asset to YNDC and the Youngstown community. She also brings a strong passion, as well as professional skills that will benefit our youth and educational institutions. We are thrilled to have her on our team.”
The Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation is a neighborhood development organization launched in February 2009 in partnership with the city of Youngstown and Raymond John Wean Foundation to catalyze strategic neighborhood reinvestment in neighborhoods throughout the city of Youngstown. The YNDC will focus intervention on three neighborhoods in 2010, including a comprehensive demonstration project in the Idora Neighborhood. The YNDC has a $1.6 million operating and programming budget for 2010.
‘Misery Loves Company’
drive rejects Forbes’ ratings
By now, many people in the state are aware of Forbes magazine’s ranking of Cleveland as “America’s Most Miserable City.” However, Cleveland was not alone. Four other Ohio cities made the list, with Canton, Akron, Toledo and Youngstown ranking ninth, twelfth, fifteenth, and eighteenth, respectively.
Forbes’ “Misery Measure” factored in unemployment, taxes, commute time, violent crime, weather, pollution, political corruption and the records of professional sports teams.
In response to the rankings, Bedford High School graduate Alonzo Mitchell III has launched the “Misery Loves Company” campaign. Mitchell, who splits his residency between Cleveland and Washington, D.C., is founder and managing partner of Connectors, Mavens & Salesmen, LLC, an Ohio-based marketing communications firm. He is also founder of “Ohio Homecoming,” a drive to establish networking opportunities and strategic partnerships in Cleveland and elsewhere in the state.
“I’ve had enough,” said Mitchell in response to the rankings. “Last time I checked, most of the country is experiencing a lot of the same problems that contributed to the rankings by Forbes. Enough of our cities [are] suffering from low self-esteem due to comments from people or organizations who have not personally experienced the rich culture, history, diversity and beauty that these cities have to offer. But more importantly, enough of Ohioans buying into the propaganda! It is time for Ohioans to stand up and hold their heads high, and be proud of the positive things happening in our cities,” said Mitchell.
To counter the affects of Forbes rankings, Mitchell will launch the tongue-in-cheek “Misery Loves Company” campaign on Monday, March 1 and is asking all Ohioans to “show their community pride, community wide” by wearing Ohio gear that day. “Wear your favorite sports team shirts, school shirts – anything that celebrates something about Ohio,” said Mitchell.
The “Misery Loves Company” campaign also will be celebrated during “Ohio Homecoming Week,” which occurs from July 22 through July 25 in downtown Cleveland. The four-day event will celebrate what state has to offer. For more information, visit http://www/ohiohomecoming.com.
Children’s Museum receives
2 grants for expansion
The Children’s Museum of the Valley doing business as OH WOW! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology, recently received two grants from local foundations. The Frank & Pearl E. Gelbman Charitable Foundation of the Huntington National Bank awarded $75,000 and the Kennedy Family Foundation gave $10,000 in a component fund of the Community Foundation of Mahoning Valley as grant-maker. The Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley is operated exclusively for charitable, educational and scientific purposes that effectively assist and promote the well being of residents of Mahoning and Trumbull counties. The Children’s Center for Science & Technology recently relocated to its new home in the historic McCrory Building on Central Square in downtown Youngstown and will open this fall. Suzanne Barbati is executive director.
Information about the foundation can be found at www.cfmv.org. Call 330-744-5914 or visit ohwowkids.org for more information on the Children’s Museum.
Civil Rights Hall of Fame seeks noteworthy Ohioans
On October 14, 2010, the Ohio Civil Rights Commission along with co-sponsors Wright State University, Honda of America Mfg., Inc., and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, will host the Second Annual Ohio Civil Rights Hall of Fame. This event seeks to recognize the significant contributions made by men and women who have dedicated their lives to supporting civil rights, eliminating barriers to equal opportunity, and promoting cultural awareness in their communities to create a more just society. These individuals will be recognized at an official ceremony that will take place at the Ohio Statehouse. A permanent exhibit highlighting the work of the inductees will remain on display in the offices of the Ohio Civil Rights Commission.
The Ohio Civil Rights Commission is currently accepting nominations for consideration of induction into the Ohio Civil Rights Hall of Fame. Community leaders and organizations, businesses and business leaders, local leadership and government officials, as well as members of the public are encouraged to participate in this effort by nominating individuals who have been integral in the furtherance of equality and the creation of a just society.
An official nomination form must accompany each nomination. Nomination guidelines and official entry forms can be found at www.crc.ohio.gov. All nominations must be post-marked no later than May 31, 2010.
Volunteer opportunities
available in community
The Hands On Volunteer Network of the Valley offers a variety of support and volunteer opportunities. The organization is headquartered at 5500 Market St., Suite 106, Boardman, and has offices in Trumbull County and on the campus of Youngstown State University. The main office’s phone number is 330-782-5877 and the organization’s Web site is www.hovn.org. Current volunteer opportunities appear below. Call the Hands on Volunteer Network for information.
• Chronic Disease Self-Management Program Facilitators – If you are 55 or older and have a chronic illness or would like to help others learn to manage their chronic diseases (i.e. diabetes), contact the Hands On Volunteer Network to learn about training opportunities available through RSVP and the Area Agency on Aging. Call Corrie at 330-782-5877. The program will begin this month.
•Goodwill Good Guides – The Good Guides Youth Mentoring Program of Youngstown seeks to match young people with strong adult role models. Mentoring opportunities include one-on-one or small group opportunities. Volunteers are asked to spend a minimum of six hours per month for one year with the youth they mentor. All applicants must submit to a background check. Orientation and training is provided. For more information or to apply, contact Katie Sechler at k.sechler@goodwillyoungstown.org.
• Beatitude House in Warren – The Beatitude House in Warren is seeking a volunteer to answer phones, greet visitors, and provide general assistance Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Hours are flexible and the job can be shared between two volunteers. For more information, contact Kristen at 330-540-0102.
• Social Butterflies Wanted – The Hands On Volunteer Network is seeking volunteers to travel around the area and collect stories from community volunteers. This opportunity is flexible. The Hands On “social butterfly team” will schedule appointments with local volunteers, sit down and record volunteer stories, and submit stories to for the organization’s Web site, e-newsletter, and national reports. Call Corrie at 330-782-5877 for information.
• Ohio Veteran’s Project – Hands On and RSVP are looking for people interested in helping veterans in Mahoning and Trumbull counties access services through the Ohio Benefit Bank. No experience is necessary and training is provided. The groups are also seeking veterans interested in becoming mentors to those just out of the service. For information, call Gretchen at 330-540-0081.
• After-School Tutor – The Ursuline Sisters HIV/AIDS Outreach Program is seeking volunteers to work with students on homework and life skills. Volunteers are needed on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday evening from 3:30-7 p.m. Call Jessica at 330-788-0362 for more information.
• Summer of Service Adult Team Leaders – This summer Hands On Volunteer Network will offer its second annual Summer of Service, a new concept in youth service that seeks to engage teens from Mahoning and Trumbull counties in week-long, team-based service projects. The volunteer opportunity is for people 21 or older who have some experience working with young people or leading a team. Adult team leaders will coordinate and work alongside a group of eight to 10 Youth Volunteer Corps students as they work on a high-impact service project at a local non-profit organization. This is an opportunity appropriate for parents, coaches, retirees and college students. All team leaders will receive appropriate orientation, training, and materials. Contact Corrie at 330-782-5877 for more information.
For more information about these or any other opportunities, contact HOVN's office at 330-782-5877, or visit the organization on the Web at www.hovn.org.
