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It’s the Function at the Junction…

By Alicia Smith, Junction Coalition Director
Guest Column

The Junction Coalition (JC) is on the move and doing great things in the community.  The next few weeks will prove to be quite busy but rewarding with work being done on community beautification.  We had Earth Day Weekend highlighting “What Blooms on Blum.” This activity took place on April 21 from 9am – 3pm. 

There was a neighborhood clean-up, garden and tree planting, blacksmithing demonstrations ( Gun to the Garden Transformation Demonstration), aquaponics training with partners of Cleveland, Ohio and garden bed construction that will support an Urban Agriculture Community Sustainability System.  We met at Frederick Douglass Community Center at 9:00 a.m. and volunteers were needed and greatly appreciated. 
 

Seven lots on Blum Street are being prepared for a large community vegetable garden, a dwarf fruit tree orchard and a neighborhood gathering space for young and old neighbors to enjoy. A rain garden is already in progress as part of the Junction’s commitment to green infrastructure installations to manage storm water through partnerships with TMACOG and the Healing Our Waters Coalition.

The Junction Coalition proudly hosts a juvenile restorative justice program funded by Lucas County Juvenile Court that emphasizes reconciling the harm done to community through the circle process.  Our students volunteer their time doing things like grass cutting, neighborhood clean-up, mural painting and other activities that benefit the community.  The target age group is 12-17.  We are wrapping up this academic year of  Circle and Verses but will be hold a showcase on May 23 at the Frederick Douglass Center at 5pm.  

Fun things are happening at the “Junction.”  We will be hosting our annual “Pancake Thang” fundraiser on May 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a Health Fair hosted by Minority Health Pop Up Committee (NAMI, NHA & Lucas County Health Department) focused on minority health issues.  Tickets are $10.00 per person and can be purchased the Frederick Douglass Center front desk with Reggie Williams or from the Junction Coalition office on May 2 with Mrs. Henley or Ms. Robinson.  Come on out and join us for food and fun!! There will be Yoga, a 50/50 Raffle and so much more.

Issues and concerns with blighted and vacant property should be brought to the attention of Anique Davis @ 419-408-0998.  Street lighting and other safety issues can be addressed with Kenny Boles at the same number. If you are looking for beautification or gardening assistance within our community, please reach out to Rachel McCartney Thank you, to our Community Resource Officer Donald Scott for our monthly crime reports. If you are looking for information regarding health and wellness, please reach out to Shirley Preston. 

One goal of the Junction Coalition is to create a walkable, livable and safe community. We are accomplishing this with partners such as our NEW Junction HealthMart at (419) 216-2910 (Community Event, May 18, 2018 11-3 p.m.) and J’s Play and Win Internet Café both are located in the Dorr and Junction Plaza. We are a community growing towards economic and social sustainability.  We are also happy to support Royalty Dance Team in their victory in the Cleveland Cavilers dance competition. Learn more about what is happening, our meetings are held every third Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at the Frederick Douglass Center.  

We are so very thankful for our support with “What Blooms on Blu.” A special thank you to Lucas County Land Bank, Ohio Environmental Council, Lucas County Soil and Water, City of Toledo, Tree Toledo, Lucas County Juvenile Court, National Wildlife Federation, Food not Bombs, Toledo Mennonite Church, Toledo Grows, The Doug and Toledo Design Center, University of Toledo (Big Event), Toledo Public Schools (Pickett & Jones Leadership Academy, Junior Inspectors) and our volunteers  for all your assistance.

“It is not the poverty of dollars, it is the poverty of information.”Alicia Smith, JC Director.

 

 
   


Copyright © 2018 by [The Sojourner's Truth]. All rights reserved.
Revised: 08/16/18 14:12:11 -0700.


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