Build A Better Village: Free family event will focus on solutions Oct. 20

MANSFIELD — Families from across Richland, Ashland and Knox counties are invited to a free community event on Monday, Oct. 20, focused on the future of child care in north central Ohio.

Build A Better Village: What’s Next for Child Care in Our Community? will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Buckeye Imagination Museum in downtown Mansfield.

The event is free and open to the public, but we ask anyone planning to attendd to please register on Eventbrite so we can plan for your visit and keep you in the loop.

Hosted by Richland Source as part of our ongoing reporting series on child care, Build A Better Village is a daylong gathering designed to connect families with resources, support and each other — discussing solutions to one of the biggest challenges facing working parents in our region.

“This is the most ambitious reporting project we’ve ever done,” said audience engagement editor Brittany Schock. “But this event isn’t just about the stories we’ve already reported — it’s about what happens next. If we’re going to say ‘it takes a village to raise a child,’ then we actually have to build the village.”

A day of connection and community

The event will include:

• A vendor & resource fair featuring child care providers, support services and organizations from all three counties
• A connection wall where attendees can share their hopes and ideas for the future of child care
• A community art project where children can help create a visual of what their “village” looks like
• A story-sharing booth for community members to record personal experiences with local child care
• Door prizes and giveaways for attendees

In addition, the Mansfield Fire Department will host a touch-a-truck station from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the parking lot.

Food will be available for purchase from Mr. Bill’s Wood Fired Pizza from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Bytchn Kitchen Food Truck from noon to 4 p.m.

Why child care?

Since June, Richland Source has been publishing It Takes a Village, a solutions-focused journalism series investigating the child care crisis in Richland, Ashland and Knox counties.

The reporting has uncovered the economic impact of limited access, the struggles of providers, and the ripple effects on families, schools and local businesses.

“We’ve heard from so many parents who feel like they’re on their own,” Schock said. “This event is one way to push back on that narrative. There are people out there who care — and we want to help connect them.”

Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, provider, advocate, employer or just someone who cares about the next generation — this event is for you.