Commissioners Announce $2.6 Million Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Intiative

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 ) V o l u n t e e r a t s c h o o l s i n y o u r 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. 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, 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.

5) Google: Volunteer Opportunities - Check out the opportunities available until a few items spark your interest. Schools, libraries, community organizations . . .

6) If you need money start selling something you’re good at - Baking, babysitting, cooking meals, care taking, writing, sewing, auto repair, mentoring, the list goes on.

7) Join a club - Do exciting things that keep your mind actively involved. Involve yourself in activities that make life better for others. You have abilities and skills that need to be used. Don’t retire your skills - use them!

8) Read one book per week - Start out with something simple if you’re not already a reader. But keep it going. Your brain is a muscle - exercise it everyday! Don’t let it deteriorate.

9) Learn a new craft or skill (or teach one) - Learn to play an instrument, take singing lessons, take tennis lessons, go bowling, etc. . . The list is endless, reinvent yourself. $600,000 will be reserved for families living at less than 165% of the federal poverty line via the expanded standard PRC program, and $1.5 million is earmarked for families between 165% and 300% of the poverty line to be administered through the new PRC Plus. “This pandemic shows that we are all in this together,” said Commissioner Marilyn Brown. “None of us are truly safe unless our neighbors and their families have a safe place to call home. We are proud to make these investments that help support families 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 you great enjoyment.

I want feedback. I want to hear from you if this has motivated you to action. Afterall, I have to know that my Vision statement is working:

Inspiring You to Recognize Your Unique Value to Self, to God, to Family & Community.

Evangelist Cheryl Y. Wood, PhD. An innovative, self-motivated, detail-oriented Talk Show Host of Walking in Victory for 15+ years, is an ordained minister, teacher, preacher, and author. A native of Dayton, Ohio, she has a B.A. from the University of Dayton in Communications, and a Doctorate in Divinity from Int’l. Apostolic University. A member of Greater Love Christian Church 14 years. She prays, sings, writes, and Inspires others to recognize their unique value to Self,

COMMISSIONERS ANNOUNCE $2.6 MILLION EVICTION AND FORECLOSURE PREVENTION INITIATIVE

to God, to Family, & Community. 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 home will be better able to contribute to our economic recovery in the coming months.”

In recent weeks, the commissioners have allocated nearly $12 million in supports to residents and businesses suffering from the effects of the pandemic and economic slowdown, most of which is expected to be reimbursed via funding from CARES Act.

For more information and to apply for PRC assistance, visit jfs.franklincountyohio.gov/ PRC. For information about or to apply for assistance from IMPACT Community Action, visit impactca.org.