MANSFIELD — Harold Wayman, Jr. has a simple goal for the Richland Outreach Center: “to bring a smile and encouragement to the kids.”
Founded by Tara Klebowski in 2015, Richland Outreach Center assisted underserved families and children. Klebowski passed the torch to Wayman this summer as the new executive director of the nonprofit.
“I was working at a cash advance when I founded ROC,” Klebowski said. “People would come in and ask to borrow money from me personally so their kids could be in sports or whatnot.
“I was also in a Facebook group where people would post what they needed and we would try to help them. I wanted to expand beyond that group.”
Nearly 10 years later, Klebowski said she felt it was time to step back and hand over the reins.
“Harold and his wife Rebecca both have the same passion for the community that I do,” she said. “I know they’re going to do a great job.”
Klebowski will still sit on the Richland Outreach Center board as the founder and still be involved in the organization. She founded OliveBloom Collective with ROC deputy executive director Desiree Spillman in February 2024. She also has a part-time job at Park National Bank.
Wayman’s goals include building former Newman Park property
ROC started in the Ocie Hill building and bought its own land last year. Sovereign Christ Church recently donated and installed basketball hoops on the property.
“I love seeing the basketball court up,” Wayman said. “We’ve got one of those outdoor deck boxes with basketballs that kids can use if they don’t have one.
“I was down there cutting the grass recently and kids came over and started to play there. They were just so thankful that we put in a court for them.”
Wayman, 53, is a retired plumber and former Startek employee. He is originally from Pennsylvania, but has lived in Richland County for 13 years.
Wayman came to the organization’s executive support team as community outreach director in March, a position his wife Rebecca now maintains
Wayman said building at 415 Wayne Street is one of his goals. He hopes to add a pavilion to the property.
“My goal is to make Tara’s vision of the property come to life,” he said. “We started with the basketball hoops and will expand from there. (We just want) to continue to serve the kids in this community — that’s where it’s at.”
Klebowski said ROC helps more than 3,500 people each year with a focus on children. The organization’s Christmas event is the most-attended, with more than 1,000 children and their families participating last year.
Klebowski said her proudest accomplishments are assisting local families. She recounted helping people leave an abusive household and others simply remembering the effect of having a Christmas gift or someone who cared about them.
“There was one of our ROC kids who recognized me when I went out to eat with my daughter and she said ‘Miss Tara!’ and gave me a hug,” Klebowski said. “Knowing that you’re making a difference in people’s lives just by showing them attention and care is really rewarding.”
Richland Outreach Center hosts multiple events each year serving kids ages 5 to 17. Its diaper pantry assists families with getting diapers at little or no cost.
“I look forward to picking up where Tara left off and hopefully build it with some new ideas and to keep it going,” Wayman said. “Tara’s been a great mentor and is only a phone call away.”
ROC’s Shelby and Mansfield locations are accepting applications for new volunteers. Volunteers can choose to work with one or both locations and go through a vetting process.
Anyone with questions can contact Wayman at Harold@RichlandOutreachCenter.Org or 419-961-1571. Richland Outreach Center is also on Facebook.
