Rotary International asks us to Serve to Change Lives through its Focus Areas
This month Rotary International asks us to Serve to Change Lives by helping to promote Youth Service. Explore the possibilities with us at our meeting Wednesday at noon at Wick Park or virtually via Zoom.
RCY will be on the road this week! There will NOT be a meeting at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Instead, club members will travel to Gabba Camp, which is under construction at The Purple Cat/Farmer Casey’s Ranch in Coitsville. Golden String Inc., led by Jimmy Sutman, is building Gabba Camp to provide authentic camping experiences to people with intellectual, developmental or physical disabilities.
Rotarian Flavio Aiken, who also is a grant writer with Gabba Camp, reminds all to carpool if possible and wear shoes that are appropriate for rocky or muddy areas. After all, it is a construction site! A light lunch will be provided.
Parking will be available across the street from The Purple Cat. The address is 4738 McCartney Road, Lowellville, OH.
The deadline to RSVP for this outing has passed.
Last Week's Meeting
President-Elect Deanna Rossi led the meeting and interviewed Leah Merritt, president and CEO of YWCA of the Mahoning Valley, about the organization’s ongoing commitment to eliminating racism and empowering women.
Providing affordable housing is a vehicle toward achieving both goals. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the YWCA and Mahoning County Pathways Hub applied COVID relief funds to the emergency rental assistance needs of more than 60 households with expectant and new mothers, Merritt said. Offering stable, affordable housing is one step toward reducing infant mortality rates in the black community, she noted.
The YWCA currently is developing 6 new affordable housing units on the North Side for low to moderate income students and/or families, Merritt said. The organization manages many additional units of permanent supportive and transitional housing.
The YWCA also is offering Y-Girls STEAM Ahead camps in Youngstown and Warren, for girls in grades 4 through 8, to encourage them to explore science, technology, engineering, arts and math.
A weeklong Juneteenth celebration will include “Black Images in Art” from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 13, at the YWCA building, 25 W. Rayen Ave. The presentation and discussion will explore how Black people have been represented in visual arts, how cultural attitudes and stereotypes have been shaped by these representations, and how Black artists are changing the conversation.
The 41st annual “Women Artists: A Celebration” show will be from June 23 to July 21 at the YWCA. From the start, this art show has met the needs of underserved women artists and demonstrated their diversity and experiences.
The Value of Sponsorships
RCY was proud to sponsor Bike Belmont on Sunday, May 21. This was the kick-off event of the Building a Better Belmont initiative to transform Belmont Avenue into a destination for dining, entertainment, culture, retail, and healthcare, so that there is a place for everyone on Belmont. The community participated in a bike ride starting at Charlie Staples in Youngstown traveling to Giant Eagle in Liberty Township and returning to Charlie Staples with multiple stops at businesses along the way. At each stop, participants will be able to share their perspectives on opportunities and challenges to help inform future efforts.
RCY’s Operation Pollination Committee provided a sign to Honeycomb Arts and Wellness Collective at Coy Cornelius & Judy Rogers Studios, 1931 Belmont Ave., as collective members prepare to plant a pollinator garden there. The “sign” is in the shape and colors of a Monarch butterfly, the symbol of Operation Pollination and a great backdrop for selfies.
SAVE THE DATE!
Come one come all!
The Rotary Club of Youngstown
Planting Day
at Wick Park Pavilion
is happening!
Saturday, May 27th
10:00 a.m.
“Many hands make light the work”
Bring your garden tools … gloves, shovel, trowel, watering can … It won’t take long.
There will be donuts.
RSVP for President’s Party
Members will show their appreciation for Sharon Letson’s leadership at the annual President’s Party on Wednesday, June 28, at Youngstown Country Club, 1402 Country Club Drive, 44505.
It will be a memorable evening, with a social hour beginning at 6 p.m., dinner at 7, and a program afterward. The entertainment will be by pianist Joe Augustine.
Reservations can be made now; click here. The cost is $25 per Rotarian and $75 per guest for those who sign up by TODAY (June 13). Prices will increase after June 13.
Attendees will choose Chicken Francaise or pecan crusted salmon for their entrees. A vegan option will also be available. Youngstown Country Club’s signature dessert (pecan ball with hot fudge) will be served. A cash bar will be open. Business or cocktail attire is recommended.
Need a Night Out?
Our friends from the Girard-Liberty Rotary Club invite you to their fist Catalina Wine Mixer from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 15, at Giant Eagle, 4700 Belmont Ave. Guests will sample wines from four distributors, beer from local craft breweries, food by Gia Russa Brands and Giant Eagle Churchill Commons, carnival games, ax throwing and additional entertainment. Tickets are $75 per person, $125 per couple, and $50 for first responders. Tickets may be purchased at Giant Eagle and Sweet Memories Vintage Tees & Candy in Girard, among other places. Proceeds will benefit the club’s community projects, including the Girard-Liberty Schools Food Pantry.
East Palestine Help
THIS WEEK IN ROTARY HISTORY
May 21, 1996: Upon the recommendation of a special committee chaired by Fred Owens, the Rotary Club of Youngstown launched the “Put Kids First” initiative.
.png)
