Give. Feel Good. Repeat.

NECIC and Richland Gives team up to support North End Elders, Youth

Mansfield, Ohio – North End Community Improvement Collaborative (NECIC) is one of many local nonprofits participating in this year’s Richland Gives campaign. The campaign is now live and donations may be made prior to Giving Tuesday, the nationwide day of donations held after Thanksgiving.

“Richland Gives raises awareness about the work that we do and provides a really easy vehicle for people to join in and support the good work of nonprofits in the community,” said NECIC Executive Director Deanna West-Torrence. “The campaign allows us to raise money for specific things that we may not otherwise have the funding to do. 

WHO IS NECIC?

NECIC is a nonprofit asset-based community development organization. Founded in 2007, NECIC’s mission is to improve the quality of life and economic landscape of Mansfield’s North End.

“Asset-based means we focus on the assets, rather than the deficits, of our community,” said NECIC Executive Director Deanna West-Torrence, “and our biggest assets are our people.”

NECIC supports many community programs with a focus on area residents. Among those are the NECIC North End Elder Program and ROAR Mini-Modules, NECIC’s focal points for this year’s Richland Gives.

WHERE DOES MY DONATION GO?

NECIC's campaign goal this year is to raise $10,000 in support of North End Elders and Youth. We anticipate $4,000 going to Elder Program activities for more than 70 Elders, and $6,000 will support the creation of five new mini-modules, which will potentially serve up to 100 students. (20 students per module.)

“For every dollar we collect, we put that dollar back out. There are no fees, every penny goes back into the community,” explained West-Torrence. “It’s a great way for other people to support the assets in their community.”

“This allows neighbors to help neighbors,” she continued, “supporting Elders and the Youth in creating solutions for themselves.”

“A neighborhood is better when people are building it together, when we are respecting both our past and our future by supporting our Elders and our Youth,” she said.

YOUTH

ROAR Mini-Modules are short-term, interest-driven activities for young people. These are held after school at Mansfield Senior High School and UMADAOP Community Center and are open to 7th through 12th grade students.

“It’s a great opportunity to bring students together with a prosocial adult role model,” said West-Torrence. “There are all different types of people who offer these mini-modules, who are taking their assets and sharing with the kids.”

Mini-Modules have included a wide range of the arts with West African drumming and dancing, murals, writing, and an opportunity to appear in the upcoming presentation of The Black Cyclone. Gardening, coding, media photography, cooking, music production, babysitting skills, production manufacturing, boxing, and more have kept students busy and productive. Upcoming mini-modules will include "Bring Your A-Game," focusing on work-readiness and career skills.

Each $1,200 raised will support one ten-week mini-module for up to 20 students. Donations will support this program by purchasing snacks, supplies, and providing an instructor/mentor stipend.

“This program helps students broaden their horizons, exposing them to things they may not otherwise experience,” said West-Torrence. “This helps them to identify their assets and create a vision for their future.”

ELDERS

The North End Elder Program is open to all Elders age 60 and over. The program, which meets twice per month, has a regular attendance of more than 70 Elders and features guest speakers, social activities, and trips.

The program is primarily funded by the Area Agency on Aging, and Richland Gives donations will support educational and social activities planned by the Elders themselves.

"With so many of our Elders on fixed incomes, Richland Gives donations offer a chance for them to continue to build community amongst themselves,” said West-Torrence.

Questions about any of the NECIC programs may be directed to 419-525-3101, or by contacting NECIC Communications Coordinator Candace Harrell at Candace@necic-ohio.org