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Despite loss of $50K Pepsi grant, Youngstown neighborhood group stays upbeat
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Maureen O’Neil-Farris, a board member of Youngstown’s Neighborhood Improvement Corps, takes stock at the group’s Community Tool Shed on Youngstown-Poland Road.
YOUNGSTOWN
The Neighborhood Improvement Corps did not receive a $50,000 Pepsi Refresh grant, but the nonprofit’s leaders say it gained visibility as supporters circulated information on social media.
The grant proposal was to fund a program to help elderly, low-income and disabled city residents fix their homes, focusing on paint and roofing repairs. The NIC’s grant application was one of hundreds competing nationally for $50,000. The grant recipient was chosen by online voting during December.
“We were disappointed, but I still think it was a positive thing to get practice with, and a lot of people did find out about us. We did a lot on Facebook,” said Maureen O’Neil- Farris, a NIC board member.
“It’s a national grant, so there was obviously a lot of competition. We have a very small operation of committed people who are very passionate,” she continued.
NIC chairwoman Patricia Dougan said the organization is continuing to improve homes in the city’s neighborhoods — and is looking for more volunteers.
“We take tool donations, and we need people who can work in the tool shed on the occasional Saturday,” she said.
O’Neil-Farris said the NIC will put donated tools in The Community Tool Shed, located on Youngstown-Poland Road, which serves as a lending library of common household tools for painting, maintenance and yard work.
Volunteers at the shed would keep track of what is lent, and to whom, during the day. The shed is expected to open March 3 for the spring season.
“If a person moves or if they even have extra tools at their house or are at yard sales and see tools for a reduced price, I hope they think of us and maybe contribute those tools,” O’Neil-Farris said.
Volunteers also are needed for a summer grass-cutting program, which serves elderly and disabled city residents who can’t do the lawn work themselves.
The big projects that would have been funded by the Pepsi Refresh grant — at least 10 homes painted, three roof repairs and funds for city fix-up days — are on hold for now, O’Neil-Farris said
“It’s going to really depend on how many funding sources we can find, and we have had some luck with people providing the tools to paint and also the paint,” she said.
Anyone who would like to donate, volunteer or learn more can call the NIC at 330-782-8206.