Press Releases

MVOC travels to Washington, D.C. with more the 500 community leaders from across Ohio to fight for Health Care Reform

Youngstown, OH--On June 25, 2009, The Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative (MVOC), eleven bus loads of Ohio residents, US Senator Sherrod Brown, US Congressman Tim Ryan, joined over 10,000 other Americans on Capital Hill to fight for health care reform.

Senator Brown told over 10,000 Health Care for America Now rally participants, who were gathered in Upper Senate Park, "Let me assure you that the special interests and health insurance industry will not hijack this process.  We must have a strong public option and we will have a strong public option."  After his speech, he met with key community leaders from Ohio, including Katrina Foster, a leader with the Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative (MVOC) from Union Baptist Church.

Mrs. Foster stated that the Senators' reaffirmation of his commitment to continue to work with MVOC to fight for health care reform is critical during this moment.  Foster said, "We cannot let another year go by without health care reform--that is why grassroots people are organizing to be heard."

Later that afternoon, MVOC helped lead a Town Hall meeting of over 300 Ohio residents, where Congressman Ryan was the keynote speaker.  Hattie Wilkins, a member of MVOC and a 35-year member of the Steelworker's union, spoke at the rally and said a Public Plan is the only thing that will keep her from entering bankruptcy.

She lost her job and is entering her last month of unemployment.  Hattie has high blood pressure and is required to take daily medications.  Since she has a pre-existing condition, she had no choice but to continue her health care coverage through COBRA.  "I have given the facory the best years of my life, now here I am spending almost half of my unemployment on health care premiums, watching my life savings dwindle and stressing over what I'm going to do,"  says Wilkins.  "I'm 58 and living in a city with an unemployment rate of over 14 percent."  She asks the question, "How do I continue to survive, pay my mortage, pay my bills, and get my blood pressure medicine without proper healthcare...I just can't afford it.  Where is the dignity in that?"

The Congressman talked about how it is not cost effective, nor is it sustainable, for so many of our people to rely on emergency room visits as the main source of health care.  Congressman Ryan said, "A public plan option as a part of health care reform is what we need and we need it now!"

The Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative (MVOC) is a broad-based community organization initive established in March of 2008.  The primary focus of the MVOC is to unite groups throughout the community (churches, neighborhood groups, schools, social service agencies, nonprofits ect.) to work together to increase the quality of of life in urban neighborhoods in the Cities of Youngstown and Warren, Ohio.  For more infromation please visit www.mvorganizing.org.

Contact:  Tammy Thomas tammy@mvorganizing.org

HCAN Post Rally Press Release

 

HCAN Summary

MVOC travels to D.C. with 300 community leaders from Ohio to fight for Health Care Reform

Youngstown, OH-- On June 22, 2009, The Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative and Health Care for America Now released its report exposing the health care industry's continued emphasis on profits over people's health.  Leaders will be bringing a copy of the report to a town hall meeting with Congressman Tim Ryan and 300 community leaders from across Ohio this Thursday in Washington D.C.  Congressman Tim Ryan is a key supporter of a public plan option, something that MVOC leaders belive is fundamental to health care reform.

The report is part of the Health Care for America Now (HCAN) campaign, which is holding similar events across the country to highlight the need for quality, affordable health care for all.  Health Care for America Now is an unprecedented coalition of major organizations including labor unions, large Ohio-based membership groups, women's groups, doctors, nurses, small businesses and leading grassroots activists.

Testimonial:

"A public health care program is essential to our economy.  I'm glad that our President understands the need for immediate health care reform and that he is now addressing this matter.  I also appreciate our Senator Sherrod Brown and our Congressman Tim Ryan supporting a public plan."

-Katrina Foster, a member of Union Baptist Church and participant in MVOC's visit to Washington D.C. Thursday.

WHAT:     Town Hall meeting with Congressman Tim Ryan

WHEN:     Thursday, June 25, 2009

WHERE:   Washington D.C.

WHO:  The Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative (MVOC) is a broad-based community organizing initive established in March of 2008.  The primary focus of the MVOC is to unite groups throughout the community (churches, neighborhood groups, scools, ect.) to work together to increase the quality of life in urban neighborhoods in the Cities of Youngstown and Warren, Ohio.  The MVOC seeks to begin about the process of neighborhood change through the neighborhood actions and campaigns.  Fro more information please visit www.mvorganizing.org. 

HCAN Press Release

The Idora Neighborhood Association and Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative began the nine month old corner store campaign in August 2008 with a public meeting attended by over 120 residents of the neighborhood. The purpose of the meeting was to cleanup Glenwood Avenue and the five corner convenience stores located along a one mile stretch of the commercial strip. The neighborhood attempted to work with the stores, but only one store came forward, as a result a Dry Precinct Initiative was launched.

 In November 2008, the neighborhood voted Ward 5 Precinct I dry with 60 plus percent of the voters backing the dry precinct. However, Party Pantry Inc. was able to place a special option election for the Party Pantry site on the May ballot through 5R voting regulations. The residents vowed to continue their efforts and yesterday their work paid off. The months of extensive outreach, canvassing and public meetings resulted in approx. 80 percent of voters saying no to the sale of alcohol at Party Pantry, Inc.

 James London of the Idora Neighborhood Association said, "The neighborhood was tired of this type of activity, which has gone on for twenty years. We are no longer willing to tolerate irresponsible businesses or behavior. The neighborhood has clearly spoken and a new day is dawning in the Idora Neighborhood." London added "This is not about closing stores. It is about creating good neighbors and a healthy neighborhood."

 Residents and members of the Idora Neighborhood Association say this is another successful step in the ongoing campaign. The campaign will continue to cleanup Glenwood Avenue and will target other corner stores in the days and months to come.

 WHO: The Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative (MVOC) is a broad-based community organizing initiative established in March of 2008. The primary focus of the MVOC is to unite groups throughout the community (churches, neighborhood groups, schools, etc.) to work together to increase the quality of life in urban neighborhoods in the Cities of Youngstown and Warren, Ohio. For more information please visit www.mvorganizing.org.

Election Results

 

Idora Neighbohood Association Press Release