From September 30 – October 7, 2019, Your Voice Ohio hosted 6 community conversations across Southwest Ohio (in Dayton, Kettering, Trotwood, Lebanon, and Springboro) where we asked people to describe the challenges they face in their communities and what they see as potential solutions to those challenges.
Based on the conversations across Southwest Ohio, we have compiled a list of resources and information covering some of the top challenges described throughout the events.
Community Engagement / Community Gatherings / Voting
- Southwest Ohio Voters Guide for the Nov. 5, 2019 elections
- Legislative Tracking – Painlessly stay on top of the day to day legislative activities you need to know about. We keep your bill sheet updated on a daily basis, so you can always check online to see what’s new or different in your areas of interest
- Early Voting Begins in Ohio
- Voter registration instructions
- Find polling location
- Legal Service Clinic, Wesley Center – attorneys volunteer to provide Legal Advice/Assistance at no cost for anyone! A general session will be held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at Wesley Community Center from 5:30 pm—7:00 pm.
- The Collaboratory – provide infrastructure for people and organizations to collaboratively develop community initiatives that generate new economic, civic and creative opportunities and value.
- Neighborhoods Over Politics – collaborate with local government, residents, and community partners to improve neighborhoods and housing conditions in the City of Dayton.
Food Access
- Map the Meal Gap
- Dayton Food Bank – If you are in need of food assistance, call (937)238-5132 and someone will connect you to a food pantry or hot meal near you in Greene, Montgomery, or Preble counties. The Food Bank also has several programs including the Kids Cafe and the Good-to-Go Backpack.
- Dayton-Montgomery County Area Food Map
- Fresh food spots
- Gem City Food Cooperative – worker and member-owned full service grocery store
- Produce Perks – a statewide incentive program for Ohio’s SNAP recipients to purchase fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables from certain Ohio farmers’ markets and grocery stores across the state. The program provides a dollar-for-dollar match for shoppers using the SNAP/EBT card to buy fresh produce; so you can double your SNAP dollars!
- Dayton-Montgomery County Food & Hunger Coalition – made up of various stakeholders in the community who have a vested interest in food access and food security who have come together to collaborate and identify projects that can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of multiple agencies and those they serve.
- Hope Foundation’s Mobile Food Pantry distributes groceries to over 1,000 families in the area.
- Life Enrichment Center (LEC) – among other programs, the LEC serves warm morning meals three days a week for anyone who wants to join; with donated items from sources such as GFS (Gordon Food Service), Meijer, Entenmann’s Bakery, Bob Evans and local non-perishable food drives by area churches, businesses, and the annual Boy Scouts® Scouting for Food drive are separated and properly stored at the LEC.
Education (K-12) & Youth Engagement
- Information
- Youth engagement opportunities
- Youth in Government, YMCA of Greater Dayton – Youth participate in both pre-conference training experiences, where they learn to research and write bills, and in the statewide conference, where they debate and vote on legislation, and find solutions for current issues in their communities.
- Ohio Youth-Led Prevention Network – a network of youth-led substance misuse prevention providers and youth across the state who are committed to the cornerstones of youth-led prevention, peer prevention, positive youth development, and community service.
- Youth Employment & Training Program, Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio – a workforce development program based on our flagship program SOAR, Solid Opportunities for Advancement and Retention. The program focuses on young adults between the ages of 18 and 24. It prepares participants by providing instruction in self-exploration, financial literacy, understanding employer expectations and skills needed for gainful employment.
- Youth in Government, YMCA of Greater Dayton – Youth participate in both pre-conference training experiences, where they learn to research and write bills, and in the statewide conference, where they debate and vote on legislation, and find solutions for current issues in their communities.
- Marie’s House of Hope – an educational group home in Trotwood, OH offering care, guidance and supervision to children ages 7–21 who were placed in the public foster care system, but are unable to live with a family. They need to learn transitional living skills for successful emancipation. They offer independent living services, including money management, job search techniques, college and career planning, basic living skills and more.
- Youth Resource Center for Montgomery County – a place for those between 14 and 24 years old, to get connected to resources to help them attain their education, employment and health goals. Call 937-496-7987, email Youth@mcohio.org or stop by!
- Youth Career Services Program Information – Since its inception in 1999, Montgomery County Business Services’ YouthWorks Program has provided Summer employment for in-school youth ages 14-18, who reside in Montgomery County.
- Wesley Center – “Freedom Schools” a free summer and after-school reading enrichment for children. For more information, call Angela Byrdsong at (937) 263-3665 x232. And “Youth Succeeding”, a year-long academic and cultural enrichment curriculum and program for youth ages 5 – 18.
- Ohio Office of Opportunities for New Americans – among other programs, offers a “Comprehensive Case Management & Employment Program” for individuals 14 to 24 years old.
- Life Enrichment Center (LEC) – among other programs, the LEC provides adult education classes including: GED prep, Computer Learning Lab, and English as a Second Language.
- GED Preparation, Wesley Center – among other programs, hosts a GED class that is offered through Miami Valley Career Technology Center. The classes are located at Wesley Center’s main campus in its South Classroom. The classes are offered from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. To enroll or to ask questions, call (937) 263-3556 ex 218.
Housing
- Dayton Habitat for Humanity – “brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.”
- Homefull – works to end homelessness by providing housing, services, advocacy and education. We offer a comprehensive continuum of care and services, from homelessness prevention to permanent housing. We are part of a network of services in Western Ohio designed to help people help themselves.
- Miami Valley Community Action Partnership – among other services, they offer Homeownership Counseling; emergency home repair that can provide home assistance up to $7,500 to income-eligible homeowners; Homeless Crisis Response Program that provide services and financial assistance for those experiencing homelessness to be re-housed and stabilized, Tornado recovery assistance provides direct financial assistance for renters and homeowners impacted by the Memorial Day Tornadoes and much more.
Employment & Economic Opportunities
- Montgomery County Job Center – provides a single place where employers can access a pool of qualified, job-ready workers. In addition, job seekers can access job information, training programs and other services needed for employment and career development.
- Ohio State Office of Opportunities for New Americans – among other programs, offers resources for starting or growing your business, including: free business advising, banking questions, loan information and much more. As well as a database to search and apply for jobs online or in-person.
- Getting Ahead – among other services, Miami Valley Community Action Partnership offers a 16-week resource building workshop that helps individuals in poverty build their resources for a more prosperous life for themselves, their families, and their communities. To learn more about the Getting Ahead program, call 937-341-5000 ext. 162 or ext. 143.
- Business Development & Entrepreneurship, Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio – among other services, Urban League offers entrepreneurship classes for those who are interested in starting a business or expanding their current business through our Business Development & Entrepreneurship (BD&E) division. Under this umbrella, we host the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), African American Business Development Program (AABDP) and the Ohio River Valley Women’s Business Council (ORV-WBC).
- Ohio Small Business Development Center – provide management and technical assistance to small businesses in the greater Dayton region and Ohio. They also offer free, confidential, in-depth business consulting in areas such as: business management, government regulations, financing, and product development.
- Entrepreneurial Services Provider (ESP) – incubator and accelerator for Miami Valley early-stage technology start-ups and scale-ups. Some highlighted services include: Business plan support and refinement, intellectual property protection, executive coaching and mentoring, and marketing development and support.
- SCORE has helped more than 11 million entrepreneurs through mentoring, workshops and educational resources since 1964.
- Dayton Hispanic Chamber of Commerce – strives to provide opportunities for you and your business through networking, advocacy and education.