Rotary International asks us to Serve to Change Lives through its Focus Areas
This month Rotary International asks us to Serve to Change Lives by helping to promote Youth Service. Explore the possibilities with us at our meeting Wednesday at noon at Wick Park or virtually via Zoom.
Our speaker, Leah Merritt, is the President & CEO of YWCA Mahoning Valley, which works to eliminate racism and empower women. Join us for her presentation at St. John’s Episcopal Church on Wick Avenue, next to the main branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and across the street from YSU Jones Hall.
Merritt joined YWCA in 1994, then served in multiple staff roles at the YWCA over the years. She has worked to provide impactful services and advocacy for women, families and marginalized persons, especially those of color.
The main focus is affordable housing, which is a social determinant of health. She has managed projects including Low Income Housing Tax Credits and Historic Tax Credits, State and Federal funding for Permanent Supportive Housing, Transitional Housing and affordable housing for all. In 2018, she and her team executed the merger of YWCAs in Warren and Youngstown into YWCA Mahoning Valley, to increase the impact of services while reducing duplication of overhead and administration.
The YWCA received a significant contribution from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott in December 2020. This was the single largest private gift in history for the agency. To reduce infant mortality in the black community, housing was increased. In partnership with Mahoning County Pathways HUB, more than 60 households with pregnant and new mothers received Emergency Rental Assistance, with funding by Mahoning County Commissioners and the U.S. Dept. of Treasury for COVID relief.
Merritt earned two degrees from YSU, a Bachelors (1992) and Masters of Health and Human Services (2010). In 2022, she received a Certificate from Northwestern/Kellogg Allstate Foundation Non Profit Leadership Center for Leading with Equity in the Nonprofit Sector.
Family and friends are the key to her life. She enjoys gardening, art and music, and kayaking. She lives in Cortland with her husband, Mark, and their Dachshund, Emma.
Last Week's Meeting
“You buried more friends that I have”. A powerful statement coming from the mother of Kevin Scott, who is now the executive director of Ohio Urban Renaissance, a program that reaches out to at-risk and underserved youth.
The comment stuck with Kevin, as he realized the horrible outcomes among many of his friends. He felt fortunate that he had mentors to help him along, and this attention steered him in a positive direction.
The idea of Ohio Urban Renaissance was formed when Kevin was invited to take part in basketball tryouts. Because there were so many returning players, the team only had room for two more players to join. The problem was that 70 kids tried out, and Kevin soon realized that he wanted to get these kids into some type of program. He started Basketball is Life, a sports and mentoring program, and had 65 kids from all over the area sign up, comprising eight teams. He also had two female teams. If the kids wanted to play, they had to adhere to high standards set by the program, but Kevin also got to know each one, finding out their birthdays, hobbies, and other interests. Building on the first year’s success, the following year saw 110 participants.
Working alongside co-founder Ryan Forney, the program grew, and eventually a building was purchased. It needed extensive renovations, which Kevin and Ryan took on themselves. Of course, the first order of business was to renovate the gym, then fix the 53 plumbing leaks, and run heating.
Ohio Urban Renaissance bridged into tutoring through the I Can program (college prep), Win / Win (college & career pathway assistance), and of course Just BALL (formerly Basketball is Life). All programming reflects the organization’s commitment to engaging, empowering, and elevating youth through education reinforcement and intervention efforts designed to directly influence achievement.
There currently are 80 students in the I Can program from Chaney, East, and the Urban Scholars program, which boasts a 100% graduation rate. In 2022, Ohio Urban Renaissance has its first four-year college graduate, who attended The Ohio State University. Over $120,000 in scholarships have been awarded this year to 30 students. Of these, six received a full ride.
Ohio Urban Renaissance was awarded a $5,000 grant from Rotary Club of Youngstown to help adjust their programming during the COVID pandemic.
So Many Projects, So Little Time Bonnie Burdman had about two minutes to list all of the programs undertaken by Rotary Club of Youngstown over the years – a Herculean task indeed! Just a sampling is Polio Plus; creation of the Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Easter Seals, Campfire Girls, and Boys and Girls Club; the renovation of the Wick Park Pavilion and fundraising drive; aid to Ukraine; sponsorship of other local clubs; exchange student program; Operation Pollination; Little Free Libraires; and Groundhog Craft Beerfest. Whew!
This and That
President-Elect Deanna passed out a list of committee opportunities and asked members in attendance to sign up. She will be emailing the list out to all members shortly.
Operation Pollination has t-shirts available for sale. Contact Elayne Bozick if you are interested in purchasing one.
Bike Belmont, which takes place on Sunday, May 21, is in need of volunteers. The day promises to be fun and educational. Riders will be asked for their observations as work begins to transform Belmont Avenue into a destination for dining, entertainment, culture, retail and health care. Contact Jack Kravitz if you are interested in taking part.
Need a Night Out?
Our friends from the Girard-Liberty Rotary Club invite you to their fist Catalina Wine Mixer from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 15, at Giant Eagle, 4700 Belmont Ave. Guests will sample wines from four distributors, beer from local craft breweries, food by Gia Russa Brands and Giant Eagle Churchill Commons, carnival games, ax throwing and additional entertainment. Tickets are $75 per person, $125 per couple, and $50 for first responders. Tickets may be purchased at Giant Eagle and Sweet Memories Vintage Tees & Candy in Girard, among other places. Proceeds will benefit the club’s community projects, including the Girard-Liberty Schools Food Pantry.
SAVE THE DATE!
Come one come all!
The Rotary Club of Youngstown
Planting Day
at Wick Park Pavilion
is happening!
Saturday, May 27th
10:00 a.m.
“Many hands make light the work”
Bring your garden tools … gloves, shovel, trowel, watering can … It won’t take long.
There will be donuts.
Bike Belmont
East Palestine Help
World Bee Day News
The Monarch butterfly may be the symbol of Operation Pollination, but there’s no disputing the importance of bees in our lives. They carry pollen from flower to flower, which enables the production of fruits, nuts and seeds that we need and enjoy. That is only one reason why World Bee Day will be observed on May 20.
A local celebration will be from noon to 4 p.m. that afternoon at Honeycomb Arts and Wellness Center at the Judy Rogers Memorial Garden, 1931 Belmont Ave. See our fellow Rotarian Jessica Romeo for information.
RSVP for President’s Party
Members will show their appreciation for Sharon Letson’s leadership at the annual President’s Party on Wednesday, June 28, at Youngstown Country Club, 1402 Country Club Drive, 44505.
It will be a memorable evening, with a social hour beginning at 6 p.m., dinner at 7, and a program afterward. The entertainment will be by pianist Joe Augustine.
Reservations can be made now; click here. The cost is $25 per Rotarian and $75 per guest for those who sign up by TODAY (June 13). Prices will increase after June 13.
Attendees will choose Chicken Francaise or pecan crusted salmon for their entrees. A vegan option will also be available. Youngstown Country Club’s signature dessert (pecan ball with hot fudge) will be served. A cash bar will be open. Business or cocktail attire is recommended.
Rotary Outing Next Week
RCY’s weekly meeting on May 24 will be at Golden String Inc.'s Gabba Camp in Coitsville. Golden String is a Youngstown-based nonprofit that provides medical, vocational and social support for adults with developmental and physical disabilities. Golden String was created by Youngstown native Jimmy Sutman in 2001. You may be familiar with The Purple Cat, a day program provider for adults with disabilities, which was also created by Sutman. Rotarian Flavio Aiken is a grant writer for Golden String.
Gabba Camp is a 30-acre resort and respite center that will provide recreation, respite care and vocational opportunities for adults with disabilities. Five ADA accessible cabins that will house 4-6 people are currently under construction and are scheduled to be operational in the fall of this year. Two additional cabins will be built in 2024. All cabins will have heat, air conditioning, a kitchenette, patio and bathroom with a shower. Golden String is pursuing federal and local grant funding for a parking lot, lodge and swimming pool.
Parking on May 24 will be in the lot across McCartney Road from the Purple Cat at Farmer Casey's Ranch (adjacent to Gabba Camp). The address is 4738 McCartney Road, Lowellville, 44436. Carpooling is encouraged. Most of our time at Gabba Camp will be spent walking the grounds. There may be some muddy areas, and so members are urged to wear appropriate shoes.
The deadline to RSVP is 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 17. Send email to George Nelson at GeoNel1973@aol.com.
THIS WEEK IN ROTARY HISTORY
May 19, 1967: Rotary Club of Youngstown established the Youngstown Rotary Foundation for local philathropy.
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