Winter 2010

"Valley Leaders demand HUD take notice”

Meet with top White House and HUD officials, thousands join campaign

Less than a week after receiving the news that the Valley will not receive needed stimulus funds, MVOC leaders, Congressman Tim Ryan and Mayor Jay Williams travelled to DC to meet with top White House and HUD officials to discuss the application and to demand resources for nine cities in the Valley.

“If our application for Neighborhood Stabilization Dollars missed the mark, then the bulls eye was in the wrong place,” said Congressman Tim Ryan. “At the highest levels of the White House, they felt our frustration, they understood what we are saying and they committed to come to the Valley in the near future with a commitment of real resources.”

"Health Care Nearing End”

Leaders hope for a strong bill

MVOC has continued to be the Valley’s leading grassroots voice in the national fight for health care reform. Over the past few months, community leaders made thousands of calls throughout the 6th, 16th and 17th Congressional districts.

Leaders applauded the support of Senator Brown, Congressmen Ryan and Wilson who all voted in favor of the House and Senate bills.

"Group Ready to Attack Housing and Other Issues in Warren”

Community members meet on the north side of Warren

At 6:00pm on January 25th at Higher First United Methodist Church at 309 North Park Avenue, the Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative will be convening city officials, faith-based and neighborhood leaders, and other interested parties to address several pressing issues within our communities in Warren. The meeting is a result of an extensive organizing campaign ongoing on the North Side of Warren, primarily the area north of downtown. Several neighborhood leaders have emerged out of clean-up efforts, door-to-door canvassing, and a recent meeting with Mayor O’Brien at a North Side Fall Potluck celebration. The leadership has tentatively named the effort “North Side Neighborhood Action.”

"U.S. Congressman Tim Ryan”

Innovative partnerships move Valley forward

Historically, the Mahoning Valley has been a leader in emerging industries, from steel and automobiles in the 20th century to laying the groundwork for a new phase of collaboration and prosperity in the 21st century. It is my goal to make the Valley a national leader in energy technology and green manufacturing.

Since I took office in 2003, I have worked with local elected officials and business leaders to transition to a knowledge-based economy. We recognize that the future of our once-great manufacturing communities is linked, and that our individual and collective success depends upon the creation of new products, technologies, and wealth.

"Endorsements”

Endorsements

“In just a few short years, The Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative has become a major force in helping to turn the Valley around. It’s not just the elected leaders who need to be engaged in moving us forward, but our churches, our civic organizations, our labor groups and our neighborhoods. The MVOC has done a great job of bringing people together, and I consider them a partner in the work that I am doing to make the Mahoning Valley a leader in good government, high technology and quality of life.” Congressman Tim Ryan, U.S. House of Representatives

“With the Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative... is a collective effort of neighborhood groups and churches and labor unions [which] is another example of citizens taking ownership of their community. The Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative is revitalizing neighborhoods, surveying land to determine future economic use, and cleaning up crime-ridden neighborhoods. Ordinary citizens are organizing to make a difference, and it’s working.” Senator Sherrod Brown, U.S. Senate

"The House of God Reaches Out to the Newport Neighborhood and Beyond”

Bethel Church of God in Christ works closely with neighborhood group

Bethel in Hebrew means, “The House of God,” something the congregation of Bethel Church of God in Christ is trying to spread to all of Youngstown’s residents. Bethel Church of God in Christ led by Pastor Ross Johnson (District Superintendent of the Greater Mahoning Valley), located on the Southside of the City of Youngstown on Glenwood Avenue has ministered to the spiritual needs of worshippers for nearly 89 years, and has certainly served as a place of refuge, solace, and worship for those persons who have come through its doors. Bethel is a historic church as it was the first church within its denomination founded and planted in the Youngstown community. It is one of the oldest African American Pentecostal churches in the City.

"Spotlight on a Leader”

Christine Silvestri

The MVOC’s work is shaped and owned by the volunteer citizen leaders that it consists of. One such leader is Christine Silvestri who is a resident of Youngstown’s South Side, member of the Blvd Park Block Watch and board member of the 7th Ward Citizens Coalition. Christine sat down to answer a couple of questions about the Valley and her experience in trying to make it better place:

Q. When did you first begin working with the MVOC? A. Approximately 1 ½ years ago the MVOC came to a 7th Ward Citizen’s Coalition meeting and told us how they could work with us to clean up our neighborhoods. I began working with the MVOC after hearing how doing so could decrease blight and crime.

"Clergy take lead on issue of Criminal Justice Reform”

Delegation meets with Attorney General's Office

Criminal Justice Reform is taking shape in almost every metropolitan area across the country. The call to action is not going unheard in Trumbull and Mahoning Counties. The action started this past summer when leaders from Warren and Youngstown hosted national expert Rev. Sherrod Gordon in a series of informational revolving around the need for criminal justice reform.

Gordon explained his campaign work that led to comprehensive policy changes in Chicago allowing for expansion of felony expungements. The presentation was received as a call to action by Pastor Alton Merrell of Warren who attended the meeting. Merrel said, “I’m excited. They didn’t just talk about the problem, they changed the laws. We can do it here too. If not us, then who?”

"Vacant Property Campaign”

MCOC regional vacant property organizing campaign timeline

After several months of conducting a listening campaign within the Mahoning Valley, it became apparant that vacant property is one of the most pertinent issues Valley residents face. In response to this issue, the Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative launched a campaign to address this issue in the fall of 2008. This timeline demonstrates the progress that has been made to address this issue.

"Land Bank Legislation Passes House after Lobby Day”

MVOC vacant properties campaign continues

Nearly two hundred community leaders from Toledo, Columbus, Cleveland, Youngstown, Warren, Cincinnati, East Cleveland, and Dayton descended on the state capital in early December to push around four key state legislative issues: foreclosure prevention and mediation, land bank reform and expansion, public benefits transparency, and criminal justice reform.

“This was another key step in our vacant property organizing campaign,” said MVOC Executive Director Kirk Noden. “Together with our statewide partners we conducted 70 legislative visits and moved the ball forward on land bank reform and foreclosure prevention.”

"Pushing CRSI, Community Leaders Travel to DC”

MVOC forms alliance with Mahoning Valley Mayors Association

As part of the Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative’s continued work on the Community Regeneration, Sustainability, and Innovation Act of 2009 (CRSI), organizers and community leaders Hattie, Valarie, Dan, Robyn, and Della traveled to Washington D.C. for a lobby day on November 16.

CRSI was introduced by Representative Tim Ryan and Senator Sherrod Brown and—if passed—would establish a competitive grant program within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for older industrial cities like Warren and Youngstown to receive funding to develop and implement creative approaches to reuse their vacant property.

"MVOC Spotlight”

Warren YWCA puts a new vision in action

Warren’s YWCA has been a staple of the city’s downtown for years. Since its formation, it has been available to all as a place of peace, but has always given special attention to the needs of women. Recently, the mission of empowering women has expanded to reflect contemporary realities. For example, the gender wage gap increased in 2009 to 22.9% from 22.2% with women still earning about $.77 for every $1 earned by men, but even more striking, the median earnings for women of color are 28% less than that of white women.

“An organization dedicated to empowering women that does not consider the reality of race issues isn’t addressing the problem fully,” says Shari Harrell, Executive Director of the YWCA. “Our mission is clear – eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all – and each of our programs embody it.” She points to the T.E.A.M mentoring program, which engages high school mentors, most of which are girls, to become an academic and community role model to an elementary mentee.

"7th Ward Coalition Delivers for Residents”

The 7th Ward Citizens Coalition plans for 2010

With everything from yard sales to beautification projects to even chartering new groups, Autumn proved a fruitful season for Youngstown’s 7th Ward, whose residents also kept an eye on 2010.

The 7th Ward Citizens Coalition (7WCC) Annual Yard Sale on Midlothian kicked off the season with a successful turnout netting $1,400 for the organization. 7WCC kept the momentum going by participating in a tree planting, spearheaded by 7WCC board member and Powerston Block Watch Member Mary Krupa. The busy corridor saw the addition of several trees planted by area residents with the assistance of Treez Please and City Forrester Dave Sturtz.

"Newport Association Fights Back Against Blight”

Neighborhood group celebrates a successful year and looks forward to more victories in 2010

The Newport Neighborhood Association (NNA) is continuing on its development path while looking to take on more issues and projects in 2010. In June of 2009, the organization was established and soon afterwards a formal leadership team was created, conducting several neighborhood cleanups as well as organizing regular monthly meetings to address issues like youth activities, speeding, public transportation, vacant property and crime.

“Vacant property and speeding continue to remain top priorities for the organization entering the new year,” said President Francine Jeffries. She continued, “In 2010, our focus will be keeping tabs on the federal funding administered for demolition in the neighborhood as well as meeting with city officials to establish a firm plan of action regarding speed reduction on Hudson Ave.”

"CityScape Announces its Third Annual Beautification Award Winners”

Neighborhood group leaders accept awards

The Third Annual Youngstown CityScape Beautification Award winners were recently announced and CityScape officials say the recipients are very deserving of the distinction.

CityScape selected the Northeast Homeowners and Concerned Citizens Association, Glenda House of Cassius Block watch and Della Hughey of Somebody’s Watching You Block Watch as the lucky recipients of the 2009 awards. The winners were chosen for their continued dedication to ongoing beautification in Youngstown.

"Garden District Completes Neighborhood SUCCESS Grant Project”

Valley groups form partnership to beautify neighborhood

Members of the Garden District Block Watch – located on Youngstown’s West Side – recently completed a neighborhood project which they have titled “Growing the Garden District Together”.

The project seeks to replace older, dead trees in the existing devil strips. The trees had become eyesores and also created situations where falling branches damaged homes, vehicles, power lines and buckled sidewalks. The project called not only to remove the dead trees but also to replace them with new ones.

"Wick Park Neighborhood Organizes”

Groups and residents form neighborhood association

A recent rash of arsons in the Wick Park neighborhood – a transitional historic neighborhood on the City of Youngstown’s North Side – has brought together neighborhood and community groups, residents and local institutions to establish stability for this high profile neighborhood located just north of Youngstown State University.

In addition to historic designation status, the Wick Park neighborhood is home to Stambaugh Auditorium, Park Vista retirement community, Burdman Group, YSU’s Cafaro & Lyden dormitories, Dorian Books , 4 churches, 5 student fraternities/sororities, 2 funeral homes and is centrally anchored by 34-acre Wick Park, the most utilized park in the city’s park system and which is currently organizing a renovation project (www.wickparkproject.info). The neighborhood is also home to the North Side Farmer’s Market and the annual Grey to Green Festival.

"Eastside Coalition Emerges”

Neighborhood group gathers at summit

Continued collaborative efforts between MVOC and North East Homeowners to unite Youngstown’s East Side have made great strides in accomplishing their goals.

Members of Youngstown’s City Council, Bennington Block Watch, Lincoln Knolls Block Watch, Ambassadors for Christ and North East Homeowners gathered at a successful summit on Nov. 19, 2009. The purpose of the summit was to inform the public of upcoming projects and collaborations in the coming year and served as a great example of East Side organizations coming together to solve troubling issues, attendees said.

"Valley Leaders Build Relationships Across Counties”

MVOC convenes grassroots Leadership Council

More than 100 residents, neighbors, pastors, lay-leaders and advocates for communities throughout the Valley gathered on a rainy November evening to share a meal, build relationships, and discuss collective work in the coming year.

“This dinner signaled the first official convening of MVOC’s grassroots Leadership Council,” said Bill Mullane, MVOC Sponsoring Committee Member. “For over eighteen months, MVOC has been building a base of hundreds of grassroots leaders, clergypersons, concerned neighbors, and everyday advocates working on issues ranging from abandoned homes and neighborhood blight, to equal access to healthcare, and pressuring store owners in urban neighborhoods to be responsible for what they sell to the residents who rely on their products. It is time to start bringing people together and better unify the movement,” said Mullane.