Racial Equity Center hosts 'Race Forward' speaker series

The Lorain County Racial Equity Center hosted a forum on Feb. 23 at Lorain County Community College with faith and community leaders looking at strategies to address systemic racism.

The forum was hosted in collaboration with the League of Women Voters Oberlin and Metro Central Unit NAACP and featured the Rev. John C. Dorhauer, general minister and president of the United Church of Christ.

Dorhauer studies white privilege and its impact on the church. He said it was so pervasive that even the United Church of Christ could not escape the historical patterns established long ago, despite declaring itself an anti-racist denomination 30 years ago and that “white privilege is in the air we breathe.”

A second thing he noticed in his research is that there is hardly a day when people of color were not affected by racism on some level.

“And I've drawn the conclusion that in conversations like these, where we're looking for pathways to ending racism and pathways to racial equity," Dorhauer said. "It cannot be the vision, the dream, the pathway enacted by white people that gets us there.

“It has been my consistent experience that even the best-intentioned, kindest-hearted white people participate in the work of ending racism long enough to assuage their guilt, but not fight long enough to begin the impact of racism and privilege.”

He called on white churches to take a more active role in dismantling systemic patterns of racism.

The conversation hosted by the Racial Equity Center is part of an ongoing discussion following the release of the Lorain County Racial Equity Agenda.

The 51-page agenda identifies six pillars including health, education, housing, economic justice/workforce development, criminal justice/community policing and community history.

Jeanine Donaldson, executive director of the Elyria YWCA, oversaw the Racial Equity Center and the equity agenda is part of a process to do things differently after the murder of George Floyd in May 2020 by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin that sparked protests and outrage across the nation.

“We called on the help of key leaders in the community and many of them are here with me today. And we've been meeting (for) probably 20 months. And the culmination of that time period was the racial equity agenda,” Donaldson said.

Donaldson explained she sees the Racial Equity Center and agenda as a continuation of advocacy work done through Elyria

YWCA and has developed it using the community impact model in utilizing data to drive transformative change.

She said it was important for the community to get comfortable using the term racism as a way of properly framing the issue in order to address its root causes.

The speaker hosted panel discussions with faith leaders in addition to community leaders.

Elyria Mayor Frank Whitfield hosted an open forum following the death of George Floyd welcoming Elyrians to talk about their experiences with racism in the city.

The forum led to Elyria City Council declaring racism as a public health crisis. However, the mayor said the community needs to do the work of having the difficult conversations, pointing to poverty rates for people of color that have been about double that of white residents over the past 20 years.

In receiving millions in American Rescue Plan Act funding from the federal government, Whitfield

Oberlin Community Services hosts furniture sale fundraiser

Oberlin Community Services will host a used furniture sale fundraiser from noon to 4 p.m. on March 4 and 11 at its new Community Resource Hub, 500 E. Lorain St.

The nonprofit will sell used office furniture including filing cabinets, pictures, frames, cubicles, bookshelves and other assorted items acquired with the building, which was purchased from the National Association of College Stores for $2.7 million in June 2022.

Sales will help support renovations to the facility, which will house several nonprofits and become the new home of OCS’ food pantry, financial assistance office and educational programs.

wants the community to have more open dialogue about how the city can address systemic issues whether it is housing, employment, gun violence or education.

Nathan Russell, senior pastor of Washington Avenue Christian Church, told the audience in understanding the church’s response it is necessary to dig deeper and understand the church is not monolithic in recognizing the complexities of different congregations.

“Racism is not the problem of people of color. They did not create it — people who look like me did,” Russell said.

The question, Russell said, is what is the white church doing to foster reconciliation, adding the Christian story is one of repentance, repair and reconciliation.

“So my message to the white church here now again, in the season of Lent, is to get serious about confessing the sin of racism, the sin of white privilege, and the sin of our complicity and our silence," Russell said.

The fundraiser will take place in a first-floor space that will become OCS’ choice food pantry. Staff will accept cash, credit card or Venmo payments.

All sales are final, and buyers must remove and transport purchased items.

“Every sale we can make will help us pay for a larger, more efficient space so we can help more people,” OCS Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator Rosa Gadsden said in a news release. “Buy a chair? It helps us get more food to your neighbors who are struggling.”

OCS was founded in 1955 and is best known for its food pantry. The organization also provides relief to people in southern Lorain County who need help covering a utility bill, rent, mortgage payment or emergency expenses such as car repairs.

Oberlin Community Services seeks volunteer drivers

OBERLIN — Rising grocery prices are straining Lorain County residents’ wallets. For many, a lack of accessibility to food is also a tough reality, according to Oberlin Community Services.

The nonprofit is looking for volunteer drivers who can commit to delivering groceries on a weekly basis to people in Oberlin, Wellington, Kipton and surrounding townships. A majority of recipients are seniors and people with disabilities, many who cannot drive.

“For people who can’t get to us, volunteer drivers are a lifeline,” said Rosa Gadsden, who runs OCS’ volunteer and outreach programs.

To help, volunteers must have a vehicle large enough to carry several boxes. Contact Gadsden at rosa@oberlincommunityservices.org or (440) 774-6579.

To sign up to receive meals, contact out to Food Programs Coordinator Liv Hanson at liv@oberlincom munityservices.org or (440) 774-6579.

4-H

Lorain County 4-H clubs will host an open house 6-8 p.m. March 9 at the Lorain County Joint Vocational School. 4-H is for youth ages 5-19, with a variety of programs and projects available including animals, computers, public speaking, cooking, art, gardening and STEM.

4-H Clubs meet nine to 12 months out of the year, one to two times per month. Lorain County has nearly 60 clubs. For more information visit lorain. osu.edu or call the Ohio State University Extension office at (440) 326-5851.

4-H week is March 5-11.

Amherst Garden Club

The Amherst Garden Club will meet 6:30 p.m. today in the hall at the Amherst Historical Society, 113 S. Lake St. This Welcome Back meeting will discuss the 2023 plant sale, programs, goals and signing up for gardens and committees. Anyone interested in gardening is welcome to attend. New members can pay $15 dues when they join. For questions, contact Gina Welch at (440) 759-2314

Herrick Memorial Library

The Herrick Memorial Library Board of Trustees will hold their next monthly board meeting on 10:30 a.m. March 13 in the Library’s Community Room. This meeting is

The Oscars

Bulletin Board

open to the public.

Amherst Golf League

The Amherst City golf league has openings for players for the upcoming season. Two man teams or singles to play as subs or regulars are needed. This is a men’s league, mostly retirees, for fun with competition. We play Tuesday afternoons at Forest Hills. Please contact Gregg at 440-277-7349 if interested.

Pancake breakfast

The Amherst Cross Country Girls team will host a pancake breakfast fundraiser from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. March 26 at the Amherst Eagles Club, 1161 Milan Ave.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for youth ages 3-10 and children 2 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased at the door or from any member of the girls team. Checks should be made payable to Amherst Athletic Boosters. Pancakes are all you can eat.

Avon-Avon

Lake Republican Club

At 6 p.m. March 9 the Avon-Avon Lake Republican Clubwill host Lt. Gov. Jon Husted who will speak about Lorain County’s role in high-tech manufacturing opportunities. Also speaking are state Reps. Gayle Manning, R-North Ridgeville, and Dick Stein,

The Lorain County Community Guide Bulletin Board is for local nonprofit and not-for-profit events. Items are published on a space-available basis and will be edited for style, length, and clarity. Send your items to news@lcnewspapers.com

R-Norwalk at the Knights of Columbus Ragan Hall, 1783 Moore Rd. Avon.

The Club meets on the second Thursday of each month. Snacks and Refreshments will be available. Members free and guests $5.

Knights of Columbus

● University Hospitals Fitness Program Introduction will be presented at 7 p.m. March 16 in the Knights of Columbus Ragan Hall, 1783 Moore Rd. Avon. Renee Barrett, will present on cardiovascular and strength training benefits and methods and ways to keep motivated. Please RSVP by 3/13 to rudybreglia@gmail.com. Snacks and refreshments will be served. Public is welcome.

● “Knights at the Races” Event Takes Place at 7 p.m. March 25. Doors open at 5 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Father Ragan Hall, 1783 Moore Rd. Avon. Tickets are $25 per person for dinner and access to betting. Mail Checks to Father Ragan Hall, PO Box 224, Avon, OH 44011and Make Payable to Fr. Ragan Council #3269. For Reservations/Information Call Pete Catanese at (440) 4654946 RSVP by March 7 for

Lorain County Democratic Women’s Club

Ads with Your Name(s), the Number Attending, Your Phone Number, email Address and Check.

● St. Patrick’s Day Corned Beef Dinner-ToGo cooked and served by Genuine Irish Leprechauns. $18 for Corned Beef Sandwich with Swiss Cheese on Rye; Kosher Dill Pickle, Cole Slaw, Horseradish, Mustard & Cake. Contact Pete at 440-465-4946, pcatanese7@gmail.com or John at 440-725-7369, john.pabin@gmail.com with #meals and a pick up time from 4-7 p.m. March 17 at Father Ragan Hall, 1783 Moore Rd. Avon. Since only a limited number of meals are prepared, preorders are strongly recommended.

Avon Democratic Club

Join the Avon Democratic Club for its meeting at 6:30 p.m. April 13 at the Avon Senior Center, 36784 Detroit Rd. All are welcome.

Candidates Geoffrey Smith and Wayne R. Nicol will discuss their campaigns for Municipal Judge of the Avon Lake Courts, serving Avon Lake, Avon and Sheffield Village.

To learn more about the ADC, visit our website at www.avonohdems.com.

The Lorain County Democratic Women’s (LCDW’s) Club will meet at 5:30 p.m. March at Royal Grill Sushi Buffet at 5234 Cobblestone Road, Sheffield, OH 44035

To learn more about the LCDW, visit our website at www.LCDWOhio.com or our Facebook site.

Black River Audubon Society

● The Black River Audubon Society is pleased to welcome Chad and Chris Saladin and their program “Cleveland Peregrines” on March 7, 7pm, at Carlisle Reservation Visitor Center, 12882 Diagonal Road, LaGrange.

Chad and Chris Saladin are a husband and wife team with an obsessive passion for peregrine falcons. They were official peregrine falcon nest site monitors in the Cleveland area for the Ohio Division of Wildlife from the 1990s until the monitoring project ended in 2015 as peregrines recovered adequately enough to no longer be considered as “threatened” in Ohio. Their program will highlight the many adventures they have experienced with peregrines as well as address their future.This program is free to the public.

● The Black River Audubon 65 Year Anniversary Outstanding Speaker program will feature wellknown naturalist, author and birder Scott Weidensaul and his program “A World on the Wing: The Global Odyssey of Migratory Birds” on March 25 at 3pm at the Carlisle Reservation Visitor Center, 12882 Diagonal Road, LaGrange.

This program is free for members, $10 for nonmembers. Pre-registration for attendees is required and tickets can be purchased by following the link at www.blackriver audubon.org

Amherst Public Library

● The Amherst Public Library Board of Trustees will hold a regular meeting at the library at 5:45 p.m. March 13. The meeting is open to the public.

● An Oscars Trivia Contest is now underway at the Amherst Public Library.

Jump key

Call to Mary

8. Big do 9. Cattail, e.g. 10. *”____ Harris Goes to Paris,” Best Costume Design nominee 12. Tarzan and such 13. Like beer at a kegger (2 words) 14. *”The Banshees of Inisherin” nominee 19. Polynesian dance, pl. 22. Dress like Ancient Greeks

23. *Austin Butler’s gyrating character 24. Gallows loop 25. Oil crisis

26. *Last year’s Best Picture winner

27. Like a Druid, e.g. 28. Missouri River tributary

29. Flying nuisance

32. Lend a hand in crime 33. Order’s partner

Entry forms are available in the first floor Adult Services area through March 13, with statuettes throughout the first floor to find answers.

Correct and completed forms will be placed in a grant prize drawing for a Movie Night Pack, and bonus entries are available to those who find and check out a specially selected item.

The contest is for those 16-and-older.

● Art workshops are back. At 12:30 p.m. March 13 local artist Mary Jo Clak will lead a workshop on watercolor pencils.

Those interested will need a set of watercolor pencils, pink erasers, a no. 8 round Taklon bruce, a natural sponge, a half-inch foam brush, an ultra-fine Sharpie or .02 Micron pen and 140-pound watercolor paper.

Classes are for adults and registration is required by calling the library at (440) 988-4230 or visiting amherstpubliclibrary.org.

● Tabletop game time will meet at 5:30 p.m. March 14. The group, for teens and adults, meets the second Tuesday of every month.

A variety of two to six player card, strategy and party games will be available.

● Nostalgic cartoons are on deck at 3:30 p.m. March 16 for the Cartoon Club. The program is intended for ages 10-17.

Oberlin Library

The Oberlin Public Library Board of Trustees will hold a regular meeting at the library on Thursday, March 9 at 5:00 p.m. The meeting is open to the public.

NAMI of Lorain County

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Lorain County will host its family to family educational class from 6-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays from March 7 to April 25. The free, eight-session program is designed for family, significant others and friends of people with mental health conditions. Each session is taught by NAMI trained family members.

To register, or for more information, call (440) 2408477 or email office@ namilc.org