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I have suggestions: 1) Invest in your community - Someone has to help revitalize our communities and you have the knowledge and experience to get it done - before the neighborhood completely deteriorates. Someone has to teach the younger generation to care for what others took love, time, hard-earned money, and energy to build. There is a cry for help answer it. 2) Start a seniors club that travels - Why not? Start planning a shopping trip with a few friends. Before you know it you’ll be traveling the globe. Start even if you don’t have money, it doesn’t have to be a long journey. Hang out together and have a good time. Just do it. 3) Volunteer at schools in your neighborhood to help young people read. A co-worker shared the low reading rates of African American children in public schools with me. I was disheartened, wondering what is happening to the children and their future success. It’s sad and I’m afraid they won’t make it without intervention. A wise and rewarding investment of your time.
4) Mentor some young people who need directions. Just being a kind neighbor opens the door to good things. It’s hard to trust people anymore, but brotherly love never goes out of style.
10) Start an early morning prayer - Call up a friend and pray every morning, for family, children, community. We need the value you bring to make a difference!
These are my own suggestions and you may have others. I just want to get the juices flowing to see how creative you become. Always reward yourself for a job well done and every day you’ll feel better. Your time now should be invested in ways that bring 6) If you need money start selling you great enjoyment. something you’re good at - Baking, babysitting, cooking meals, care taking, I want feedback. I want to hear from you if writing, sewing, auto repair, mentoring, the this has motivated you to action. Afterall, I have to know that my Vision statement is list goes on. working: 7) Join a club - Do exciting things that Inspiring You to Recognize Your Unique keep your mind actively involved. Involve Value to Self, to God, to Family & yourself in activities that make life better for Community. others. You have abilities and skills that need to be used. Don’t retire your skills - use them! Evangelist Cheryl Y. Wood, PhD. An innovative, self-motivated, detail-oriented 8) Read one book per week - Start out with Talk Show Host of Walking in Victory for something simple if you’re not already a 15+ years, is an ordained minister, teacher, reader. But keep it going. Your brain is a preacher, and author. A native of Dayton, muscle - exercise it everyday! Don’t let it Ohio, she has a B.A. from the University of deteriorate. Dayton in Communications, and a Doctorate in Divinity from Int’l. Apostolic University. A 9) Learn a new craft or skill (or teach one) member of Greater Love Christian Church 14 - Learn to play an instrument, take singing years. She prays, sings, writes, and Inspires lessons, take tennis lessons, go bowling, etc. others to recognize their unique value to Self, to God, to Family, & Community. . . The list is endless, reinvent yourself. 5) Google: Volunteer Opportunities Check out the opportunities available until a few items spark your interest. Schools, libraries, community organizations . . .
COMMISSIONERS ANNOUNCE $2.6 MILLION EVICTION AND FORECLOSURE PREVENTION INITIATIVE The Franklin County Commissioners yesterday voted to invest an additional $2.6 million in rental and mortgage assistance to help residents in danger of eviction or foreclosure. The initiative includes redirected federal TANF funding for the PRC (Prevention, Retention, and Contingency) program via Job and Family Services, new CARES Act dollars for PRC Plus, an expansion of the PRC program, and an investment of CARES Act dollars in the Housing Stabilization Coalition’s HOPE Fund. The programs have different eligibility requirements, but all target lowincome Franklin County residents who may be struggling to pay their rent or mortgage due to the current economic slowdown, and both will be available beginning June 1st. The commissioners expect to be able to assist more than 3,000 families with this funding. “Losing a home is terribly disruptive to families, and can have results that are felt for years,” said Board of Commissioners President John O’Grady. “It throws families into chaos, makes it tough for kids to do well in school, and can make it harder for parents to keep their jobs. To have that happen through no fault of their own, but because of this pandemic would make it especially painful.” Two million, one hundred thousand dollars of this funding will be administered by Franklin County Job and Family Services, of which,
navigating through this crisis, and to build a better future for every resident in Franklin County.” The $500,000 contribution to the HOPE Fund will provide rental or mortgage assistance for households living at or below 200% of the poverty line in an initiative administered by IMPACT Community Action, and in partnership with 16 local partners such as the City of Columbus, Columbus Urban League, Southside Thrive, and Physicians CareConnection. “The economic slowdown our community is facing right now is unprecedented in the swiftness with which it materialized,” said Commissioner Kevin L. Boyce. “Families all over Franklin County have found themselves laid off, furloughed, or with their business shuttered, and had no time to prepare for it. Each one that we can help stay in their $600,000 will be reserved for families living home will be better able to contribute to our at less than 165% of the federal poverty line economic recovery in the coming months.” via the expanded standard PRC program, and $1.5 million is earmarked for families In recent weeks, the commissioners have allocated nearly $12 million in supports between 165% and 300% of the poverty line to residents and businesses suffering from to be administered through the new PRC the effects of the pandemic and economic Plus. slowdown, most of which is expected to be reimbursed via funding from CARES Act. “This pandemic shows that we are all in this together,” said Commissioner Marilyn For more information and to apply for PRC Brown. “None of us are truly safe unless assistance, visit jfs.franklincountyohio.gov/ our neighbors and their families have a safe PRC. For information about or to apply for place to call home. We are proud to make assistance from IMPACT Community Action, these investments that help support families visit impactca.org.
The Columbus & Dayton African American • June 2020
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The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015
