MANSFIELD — Last year came with its twists and turns, but the staff and board of the North End Community Improvement Collaborative still had plenty to celebrate during the organization’s annual meeting Wednesday night.
During a Broadway-themed event at the Renaissance Theatre, leaders from the North End Community Improvement Collaborative (NECIC) reflected on the challenges and triumphs of the past year.
They also provided a glimpse into the organization’s next steps.
CEO Deanna West-Torrence joined the event virtually from San Diego, where she relocated earlier this month. She told attendees she believes leading the NECIC from a distance will allow her to focus more on internal matters.
“I’m hoping that this will allow other extremely talented people emerge in the community and represent NECIC,” West-Torrence said.
Bringing My Brother’s Keeper to Mansfield
As Mansfield grappled with an uptick in violence, the organization secured a $321,000 grant from the Ohio Commission on Minority Health.
“Their investment helps us to provide in-school programming, community programming,” West-Torrence said. “We’re working with after school programs to give kids an opportunity to learn what violence is about, but also to find more social outlets.”
NECIC and the My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Mansfield program also obtained recertification last year. In August, NECIC gathered 25 young men for the first MBK Mansfield Youth Summit.
“There are only 26 certified cities in the United States who are implementing this program and we are one of them,” said Aurelio Diaz, a community organizer at NECIC and Mansfield’s fifth ward councilman.
Buffi Williams, a licensed social worker and clinical program director at A Beautiful Mind, also helps out with the organization’s youth work.
“A lot of times we have what we call observational learning time, where the kids are playing and we are teaching them language and learning how to interact with each other,” she said.
“One of the biggest things when it comes to My Brother’s Keeper is that a lot of times, they don’t know how to use their voices and they get physical. We’re teaching them how to deescalate that.”
Expanding economic opportunity for urban farmers
Walter Bonham of Richland Gro-Op spoke about the growth of NECIC’s food initiatives, including the urban farm on Bowman Street and a newer farm at the Richland Correctional Institute. Inmates who work on the farm are eligible for college courses and apprenticeships through Central State University.
He and West-Torrence also announced a new $275,000 contract between Richland Gro-Op and the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Ohio CAN program. Through the partnership, gro-op farms including NECIC’s urban farms will collectively supply produce to communities throughout the state.
“We’re working together to supply restaurants, food banks, grocery stores and exporting a lot to areas like Columbus, Toledo, Cleveland, Newark, Oberlin and a number of other places,” West-Torrence said.
Renovations coming on future community impact center site
Development officer Melissa Drozda shared an update on the organization’s facility at 486 Springmill Street building.
NECIC purchased the former Imani Activity and Events Center in 2021 with plans to turn the building into a community impact center, both through renovations and additional construction.
“We are excited to announce that we’re finalizing plans for an initial phase of renovations, which will lay a solid foundation for the future progress,” Drozda said.
That first phase will include the demolition of the existing drive-thru canopy, replacing windows and doors for enhanced security, upgrading the floors, roof and structural integrity of the building, creating an art gallery and commercial kitchen, enhancing the main meeting area, restrooms and storage and exterior improvements for energy efficiency.
West-Torrence reiterated the importance of the proposed center for North End residents, especially youth.
“We envision a beautiful community center where a young person can walk through the door and see opportunity for themselves,” West-Torrence said. “They can understand what it is to be an asset and not a liability.
“Our young people are the biggest asset that we have and we are now paying the consequences in our community for stepping back instead of leaning in.”
Building Block Awards
The organization also presented several awards to supporting community members and organizations. The full list of awards included:
- The Gorman Rupp Company, Building Block Award for Land Use
- Jotika Shetty and Jessica Gribben, Building Block Award for Housing
- KV Market, Building Block Award for Economic Development
- Mansfield/Richland County Public Library, Building Block Award for Educaiton
- Eric Miller, Building Block Award for Public Infrastructure
- Ohio Commission on Minority Health, Building Block Award for Health and Safety
- Brady Groves, Keystone Award
- Aretha Grier, Geneva “Kay” Smith Award
- Wendy Gunder, Geneva “Kay” Smith Award
NECIC also recognized the following individuals:
- Nyasha Oden, former NECIC employee
- Marya Jefferson, 2023 Americorps Vista for My Brother’s Keeper
- Jodie Perry, former board member
- C. Antionette Daley, former board member
- Sam Weller, former board member
