Faith-Based Advisory Council Meets

The NECIC Faith Based Advisory Council met Friday, Jan. 26, at North End Community Improvement, Inc. The council is made up of local faith-based organizations, and representatives of many of them were in attendance for the quarterly breakfast and discussion.

Nicole Blakely of Crossroads Church announced that the Crossroads City Center is now open at 29 N. Main St., next to the Squirrel’s Den in downtown Mansfield. She announced a new youth mentoring program which will meet at the center. “This is a men’s group. There are 63 young men between 5 and 15 that have made a declaration that they need someone in their life to mentor them, and now they are waiting and no one is stepping up,” she said.

In addition to updates from each organization, attendees heard presentations addressing local issues.

Representatives from Richland County Children’s Services were on hand to address the lack of foster parents in the county. Many options, from mentoring to respite, are available for adults who are interested in helping but cannot commit to being full-time foster parents.

The idea of an “Open Table” was presented by NECIC Executive Director Deanna West-Torrence. Referencing an article from Cleveland.com on the Cuyahoga County Open Table Initiative, she encouraged the attendees to consider establishing an Open Table, especially for young adults aging out of the foster system. According to TheOpenTable.org, “Each Table is composed of a group of volunteers that make a year-long commitment to act–through relationship—as a team of life specialists, encouragers, and advocates. Over the course of a year, the Table works together to set goals, foster accountability, and implement a plan to create change.”

Cindy Wood and Kareem Usher of The Ohio State University were in attendance to discuss the OSU Food Systems Project. The project includes an educational initiative with the RUSS Teaching and Learning Gardens, as well as an Urban Agriculture aspect, utilizing vacant lots within the City of Mansfield to produce food for local businesses, keeping food dollars from leaving the area in an effort to revitalize the local economy. The program will be highlighted at a symposium to be held on March 1 from 3 to 7 p.m., location to be announced.

If you would like to represent your organization at the NECIC Faith Based Advisory Council, call Geneva “Kay” Smith at 419-525-3101 for more information.