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.”

Leaders from Newport recently conducted a trip to Columbus to meet with legislators from across the state to advocate for support of the proposed county land bank legislation which will help to deal with vacant property in a more effective manner. NNA leaders met with key legislators face to face to tell the story of the problems on the ground not only in Newport but also throughout the city of Youngstown.

“The legislators we met with were receptive and it felt good to be with two hundred people from across the state speaking with one voice to see state policy changed so we can better deal with the problem of vacant properties,” said Newport leader. A day after the lobby visits, the legislation passed the House where it now moves on to the State Senate for consideration.

The group concluded the year by conducting its final neighborhood meeting and year end celebration to a capacity crowd. Juvenile Judge Theresa Dellick served as spoke and discussed partnership opportunities with NNA. The neighborhood group and Judge Dellick discussed an organized weekend youth sports program at nearby Sheridan School as well a joint community garden project at Sheridan Park in the spring or summer. Leadership from NNA will also be meeting with leadership from neighborhood churches in January to establish a formal partnership in moving forward regarding issues and activities in the neighborhood.

Newport leaders also said that they will apply for their first SUCCESS Grant in March which awards up to $5,000.00 for neighborhood-based projects based on finical or in-kind voluntary labor matches. The organization will use discretionary funding from 5th Ward Councilman Paul Drennen as well as other dollars and volunteer labor accumulated from fundraising or project planning to assist with the matching component of the grant.

2010 looks to be a promising year for the Newport Neighborhood Association. “The word is getting out that our Association is there to address the needs of our community and I'm expecting greater participation in the year 2010” says Newport Neighborhood Association President Francine Jeffries.

For more information regarding the organization and/or how you can get involved, contact President Francine Jeffries at (330) 783-0820.

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