Since the season of giving thanks is upon us, I, like many others, find myself reflecting on the events of the past year and finding things for which I am grateful.

This month, I am truly grateful for the collective wisdom of this community that is held in the hearts, minds, and experiences of those of us who live here. I am grateful that we can solve most problems that we face by effectively applying the individual and collective expertise of the people for and with whom we work. I am also grateful for the solutions to our challenges that are found among the physical and financial resources that are available to us through our networks and connections to each other. Weaving all of these things together is how we tap into that collective wisdom.

As an organization, NECIC was built on identifying, supporting, and connecting these assets. Since 2007, we have had literally thousands of assets shared with us. Whether it was staff, residents, funding, buildings, supplies, etc., we have been the recipients of unlimited kindness and support from a community of diverse perspectives and experiences. We have been honored to work with so many wonderful people and to gain from the collective wisdom of the people who live here.

As we approach Giving Tuesday on November 28, known locally as Richland Gives Day, I want to thank you in advance for your continued support of NECIC and Temp2Higher. Our campaign this year is all about tapping into that collective wisdom and connecting that wisdom to our youth and elders.

With a $10,000 goal, we hope to expand our ROAR mini-modules. For the past three years, we have provided youth (primarily from Mansfield City Schools) with a trained, screened mentor who has a special skill or talent. The mentors share their skills with 7th-12th grade students for 60-90 minutes over a ten-week period. The adult mentors have led mini-modules in photography, art, music production, cooking, baking, theater and performing arts, Tae Kwon Do and many more. In the absence of after school programs, this model allows students to tap into the wisdom of adults in areas that interest them.

And speaking of wisdom, our campaign also includes support for NECIC’s oldest program, the North End Elder Program. For ten years, elders in the North End have convened twice monthly to enjoy a meal and learn about relevant topics and local issues, play games, share their stories, take day trips together and continue to build their own sense of community. Supporting the elder program will allow them to plan activities over the year that may not otherwise be available since many of our elders are living on fixed incomes.

So let us take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to our youth, adult, and elder residents, the countless organizations who partner with us, our elected officials and public employees, businesses, volunteers, and funders who share with us their time, resources, energy, and support.

Congratulations to this year’s election winners (special shoutout to the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging for their successful Senior Services Levy which has supported the North End Elder program for years) we look forward to working with all of you!

We wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving and look forward to working with you in the coming year.

Deanna West-Torrence

Executive Director

North End Community Improvement Collaborative