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Fostering Dreams founders see opportunity at former church
By LINDA M. LINONIS
YOUNGSTOWN
Bob and Mary Alice Noble, founders of Fostering Dreams, bought the former Our Lady of Hungary Church because they envisioned what the property could provide for their organization.
“It’s a world of opportunity,” Bob Noble said. “It will open up things we hadn’t thought possible.”
The Nobles, who have fostered children for 16 years, created Fostering Dreams to provide activities not usually available to foster children. The property is the church, a house that was the rectory and pavilion along with green space.
The Nobles said they “took a leap of faith” and used their own money to buy the former church property for $23,000 from 545 Management Group Inc., which had hoped to turn the former church into Youngstown Heritage Center.
But, before the Nobles use the former church property for Fostering Dreams, they are dealing with a broken boiler in the building, burst pipes and stolen copper pipe in the house.
Bob Noble said the church roof is OK, but the roof on the garage of the house needs to be replaced. “We’re cleaning things up and getting the house in order. We need to restore plumbing and see if the boiler can be fixed,” he said. “We’ll priortize on the boiler system ... whether it can be fixed or needs to be replaced.”
“The value of the property attracted us,” Bob Noble said.
He said Fostering Dreams is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. He plans to apply to have the $300,000 property assessment lowered or eliminated; the assessment translates to about $8,000 in taxes. “You have to apply through the state,” he said.
The Nobles said they also appreciate the meaning of the structure. “We have a great respect for the building and the history of it,” Bob Noble said. He mentioned the stained-glass windows will remain intact though selling them could be profitable.
Bob Noble is a retired teacher who taught choral music for 31 years. The ordained minister has served Locust Grove Baptist Church for 24 years. Mary Alice Noble has background as a church youth leader and Sunday school teacher. She is a financial systems analyst/programmer at Youngstown State University.
“I believe the prayers of the past can apply to today and help us,” Mary Alice Noble said.
Through Fostering Dreams, the Nobles provide the Princess Gala for girls and Hero Experience for boys along with other activities that foster children may not experience in foster families and group homes.
Bob Noble said the church kitchen, which he described as beautiful, eventually will be used for activities. The site also will provide needed storage for items used in Fostering Dreams experiences. Visit www.fostering-dreams.net.