Residents of Warren, Ohio are fed up with the "massage parlors" located in their city, for many reasons. One of the reasons is that human...
MVOC to rally 1,500 people for Community Congress
Governor, US Senate, Attorney General and other statewide candidates invited
On September 27 in Youngstown and October 26 in Warren, MVOC will convene a total of 1,500 people to address statewide and county candidates for office on the issues they care about.
“For us, this election is about our neighborhoods,” said Sybil West. “We need action on vacant properties. We need corner stores that sell vegetables instead of alcohol and drugs. We need to be heard.”
In what MVOC is calling a Community Congress, Valley residents will gather to hear candidates respond to questions about neighborhood and economic revitalization and as well as have the opportunity to submit their own questions to ask of the candidates.
“We know that jobs and the economy will be one of the key issues that is asked of candidates at these Congresses,” said community leader Chris Travers. “Without jobs, it is hard to rebuild our neighborhoods.”
Other issues likely to be raised are implementation of the newly authorized Community Land Banks in both counties, the issue of massage parlors and human trafficking in Warren, the clean up and revitalization of local corner stores, and the continued housing crisis.
MVOC launches large-scale electoral program
Community leaders want more than promises from candidates
In its third cycle of electoral work, the Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative is looking to play a role in assuring that the 2010 election is shaped by the issues of importance in the Valley, MVOC officials and leaders say.
Pastor Michael Harrison, MVOC board member and president of the Ohio State Baptist Convention, said this election should be defined by the people of the Valley.
“It is our intention to play a defining role in the 2010 elections,” said Harrison. “And by defining I do not mean working to elect a particular candidate. Rather, I mean defining this election around the issues that matter to people of Mahoning Valley: vacant properties, good jobs, healthy neighborhoods, and access to opportunity.”
MVOC will launch its third cycle of electoral work in August, building off its 2008 and 2009 programs. This year, MVOC has a primary voter target universe of 12,950 unlikely voters —voters who voted in 2008 but not 2006. Its voter turnout goal is 3,215.
Warren neighborhood draws a line in the sand on blighted property
Property owner continues to ignore responsibilities
Close to 100 people gathered at the Pamela Manor Apartments on Warren’s Northwest Side on Saturday, July 17 to let the owner of the dilapidated building know that they were not going to pay for his building’s demolition.
Warren’s Northwest Neighborhood Association (NWNA) organized a rally in conjunction with Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative (MVOC) to protest the rotting structure. The apartment complex, located at 1157 Tod Avenue, was vacated and abandoned in 2001 and since, have completely deteriorated into blight, something that has the neighborhood residents angered and concerned for their safety.
Rail transportation will spur economic growth
Youngstown better fit for Youngstown passenger rail stop
As the Obama Administration has effectively challenged many states to reconsider how we view transportation in our modern and complex society, one thing remains perfectly clear: transportation is freedom. It almost boggles the mind to think about how much we take for granted when jumping in our cars to travel from “point A” to “point B”. Unfortunately, not all citizens have the same luxury when trying to plan even a simple trip to the grocery store or library. Suddenly it becomes very apparent that our all-American values of transportation, and its inherent ability to allow us the freedom of movement, is askew for many people.
In some ways, public transportation should be the great equalizer. The ability to choose when and where we travel should be equal for all people, not just for those who can afford a car. Public transportation used to be more inclusive of people from all backgrounds and socioeconomic status’. However, in the past 50 years we have seen a trend that favors the use of personal vehicles for some, while many people have been left with antiquated transit options.
Warren residents kick off their healthy neighborhood initiative
On Thursday, July 8 at 6 p.m. MVOC, along with neighborhood, faith-based and other community leaders, held a Warren Healthy Neighborhoods Initiative Kick-Off at Grace A.M.E Church in Warren
The event, which attracted over 40 people, served as an opportunity to educate and engage residents on key issues affecting public health equity issues within the City of Warren.
The meeting focused on unraveling the complex sets of policies and conditions in place that result in the disproportionate number of chronic disease found in the city’s urban core. The issues of access to healthy foods and adequate care were discussed.
Healthy Neighborhood Store Initiative Kick-Off Successful
Residents and store owners come together to tackle food deserts
Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative kicked off its Healthy Neighborhood Store Initiative on June 24 to a packed room of residents and store owners looking to make healthy foods more accessible to Youngstown residents.
Approximately 70 people, including four store owners, gathered at Rhodef Sholom Temple to hear testimony by local residents and the results of surveys completed by MVOC and volunteers on the conditions of and products sold in 46 stores in the city of Youngstown. Of the stores surveyed, most were neighborhood stores while gas stations and national chain drugstores were also included. The results of the surveys were sobering to those in attendance, and gave cause to residents, store owners and members of Youngstown City Council to pledge support to the initiative.
Denominational Spotlight:
Mahoning Valley United Methodist District
Strong relationships are essential to building any organization. Whether one is looking to strengthen a neighborhood group, make a parent association more effective, or mobilize a congregation around mission, knowing how to effectively engage leaders through one to ones is vital. At the core of all that MVOC does as an organizing project, is the foundational discipline of community organizing; the one to one meeting. During a one to one meeting, members of any organizations are given an opportunity to explore what moves, drives and pushes the other members of the group. When a group is seeking to effectively carry out its mission, it needs to have the ability to discern the collective interest of the group throughout one on one conversations and individual meetings.
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Core Clergy Leaders and Congregational Leaders Gather to Think Through MVOC Issue Campaigns
Religious and lay leaders from across the Mahoning Valley were challenged in early June to become the “Restorer of Streets” as they work with MVOC and its strategic campaigns in 2010.
Approximately30 Core clergy and congregation leaders gathered on June 25 at Howland Community Church to learn more about MVOC’s strategic campaigns for 2010, discuss how the faith-based community can become more involved and discuss their own upcoming projects and programs. The evening was capped off with a lecture Rev. Troy Jackson pastor of the University Christian Church in Cincinnati.
East Side rejoicing with recent successes
Neighborhood groups are looking to keep the momentum going
Residents of Youngstown’s East Side said they are pleased with the progress of their neighborhoods as several major projects have gotten underway this summer.
Most notably is the clean-up of over 20,000 tires after a 10-year struggle by the Ambassadors for Christ. In collaboration with MVOC, city officials and the city’s recycling department the Ambassadors for Christ arranged for the tires to be removed and shredded from a lot off Wilson Avenue. The work was made possible through a community grant applied for by Jennifer Jones, Youngstown’s litter control and recycling coordinator.
Rev. Nicholas Mancini of the Ambassadors for Christ said he was pleased with the results and looking forward to the improved conditions of the area.
“This is certainly joyous news for the Ambassadors, after many years of hard work to have these tires removed and eliminating a health hazard for the East Side,” said Mancini.
All organizations involved said they are aware that, though they have achieved this victory, it’s only the beginning.
Helen Jackson, an east side resident, said she and others are developing ideas for using the land after all of the tires are removed.
Successful Newport action leads to community agreement
Nearly 200 community leaders and concerned residents gathered in Youngstown’s Newport Neighborhood in early July to voice concerns over the issues plaguing their neighborhood.
The Newport Neighborhood Association (NNA) in partnership with the Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative (MVOC) held a neighborhood prayer vigil to build support around issues of increased violence, break-ins, drug use, and specifically speeding in the Newport Neighborhood, specifically the Hudson Avenue area.
Interview with State Senator Capri Cafaro, 32nd District
State Senator and Minority Whip Capri Cafaro of Ohio’s 32nd district sat down with MVOC staff to talk about 
state policies and the Mahoning Valley, the legislative agenda for 2010-2011, and the nexus of local community organizing and state politics.
During her interview, Cafaro revealed her vision for the Valley’s future through continued economic development in manufacturing and green technology and through neighborhood revitalization. Her position as Minority Whip keeps her firmly grounded in reality she said, citing the realities of the state budget and the continued work that needs done on the 2011 budget.
Ohio Organizing Collaborative holds statewide leadership summit
Approximately 70 leaders gather to address issues on a state level
Leaders from across the state gathered in Toledo on June 4 and 5 as part of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative’s (OOC) Leadership Summit.
Approximately 70 leaders came together to build relationships, develop a common vision, and get a clear sense of how each of organizations does organizing, how they work, and what makes each unique. Participants attended sessions outlining the goals of the OOC as well as detailing the common issues that are facing Ohio communities.
MVOC, Community leaders take CRSI workshop to the Nation’s capital
Over one weekend in May, several local community leaders, members of the Ohio organizing Collaborative and MVOC gathered with leaders from across the nation in Washington, D.C. for the National People’s Action (NPA) Conference.
This conference, one of the yearly highlights of the NPA coalition of organizing projects from across the country, brought people together to participate in actions, trainings and workshops focusing on a broad range of issues from housing justice to education reform.
MVOC and its leaders, in conjunction with People United for Sustainable Housing (PUSH) in Buffalo and Working in Neighborhoods (WIN) in Cincinnati, held one of those workshops to provide information on the Community Regeneration, Sustainability and Innovation Act (CRSI). The session specifically outlined the benefits of such legislation for older industrial cities across the nation with similarities to Youngstown and Warren.
Grey to Green Festival Gearing Up
Local vendors are gearing up for the annual Grey to Green Festival, which is announcing some changes for its third go.
The festival slated for Saturday, September 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and held in Youngstown’s Wick Park, is an earth-friendly event boasting live entertainment, children’s activities, natural and organic food choices, arts, crafts and educational and business opportunities for vendors.
May Regional Network attracts over 200
Over 200 leaders from Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Youngstown gathered on Friday, May 21, 2010 for the Regional Network Conference: Rebuilding the Cities that Built America.
Designed as a way to share best practices among the region, the day-long conference featured speakers and offered workshops focused around the issues that older industrial cities are facing.
Dan Kildee, the mastermind behind the Genesee County Land Bank in Flint, Michigan, delivered the keynote address in which he highlighted some of the success Flint has had in reclaiming its vacant and abandoned properties and gave a broad overview of how land use policies and strategies need to be revised to address the needs of cities and regions that have experienced long term population and job loss.
7th Ward Busy with Early Summer Activities
Residents of Youngstown’s 7th Ward have kept the momentum going through the summer months with a full calendar of projects and events.
The Boulevard Park Block Watch kicked off the spring by planting over two dozen new trees on roadway islands in April. The project was the culmination of the group’s Raymond John Wean Foundation SUCCESS Grant Project and was completed with the help of the City of Youngstown.
May saw the partnering of a few city groups as the Buckeye Eyes & Ears Block Watch spent a day cleaning and painting Buckeye Park with help from the 7th Ward Citizen’s Coalition (7WCC) and other groups from across the city. A community picnic capped off the day, which also included the dedication of five neighborhood signs by the 7WCC as part of a grant secured from the Wean Foundation.
Neighbors continue to unite in Youngstown communities
Youngstown’s ever-growing list of neighborhood groups continued to grow as three more groups were added over the spring and summer months.
There are currently over 45 active community and neighborhood groups operating within the city of Youngstown. Most recently added to the list was the Rocky Ridge Neighborhood Association in the 4th ward on the city’s west side. The group was officially formed on July 28 after a month of residents canvassing the neighborhood and holding meetings to see how to best address the issues within it.
After the group’s first meeting, held June 30 at the Shrine of Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted, Dave Slanina, group co-organizer and Hazelwood Avenue resident, briefly commented on what the group is looking to achieve.
“With our first meeting under our belt, we hope to foster a spirit of friendship and interconnectedness within the neighborhood” said Slanina
Youngstown Block Watch and Neighborhood Group Meeting Schedule
Click here for a listing of block watch and neighborhood group meeting times and locations for those groups located in Youngstown.
If you have a neighborhood group or block watch in Youngstown or Warren that you would like to add to the listing, please contact MVOC at 330.743.1196 or info@mvorganizing.org.
Eastern Gateway Community College Brings an Affordable Choice to the Valley
EGCC was recently featured in the Valley Voice. Click here for more information.
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