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.

“We certainly appreciate MVOC being a vehicle for changing the climate and culture,” said summit speaker and attendee Warren Harrell. “North East Home Owners believes it’s extremely important for all organizations to improve the landscape not only in the first and second ward, but in the city of Youngstown and Mahoning Valley.”

Summit topics included illegal dumping on the East Side, creating dry precincts and the census, all integral to the continued success of the coalition in 2010. The coalition will be working extensively in 2010 to continue to unite the East Side and handle the issues presented.

As members such as Harrell stood in front of the 60 community members in attendance it was evident that people are tired, ready, and willing to begin a movement. The future looks promising with community leaders such as Sybil West and Glenda House and Clergy Leaders like Pastor Ronnie Tucker and Pastor Kenneth Donaldson working with first and second ward city council members Annie Gilliam and DeMaine Kitchen.

“We have great expectations for 2010, and beyond working with the collaborative to achieve the vision for change that many of us have for the city of Youngstown,” expressed Harrell, also a North East Home Owners member.

Sustainable neighborhoods are the ultimate goal of this coalition, which the coalition hopes to attain with the support and involvement of the community and by working as a unified front. The coalition will start the year with its campaign on creating a dry Precinct E2 and its crackdown on illegal dumping. The coalition will also continue to tackle the issues of vacant properties and creating beautification projects.

The Northeast Home Owners Association meets every second Tuesday of the month at 6 pm. For more information on the coalition or to become involved, please contact MVOC Community Organizer Eric Jordan at (330) 743-1196 or via email at eric@mvorganizing.org.

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