Community Leaders Gather to Address Racial Segregation at Social Impact Awards Banquet
The Social Impact Awards Banquet in January brought together civic, community and faith leaders to address racial segregation and promote social change. Keynote speaker Leah Rothstein (at right), co-author of Just Action: How to Challenge Segregation Enacted Under the Color of Law, emphasized the importance of local efforts to combat segregation, including community land trusts and volunteering with the Fair Housing Center. The event recognized individuals including Sena Mourad-Friedman, Rev. Otis Gordon and Chris Dziad for their dedication to empowering marginalized communities and fostering inclusion. Over 120 attendees gathered at St. Michael’s in the Hills Church to celebrate positive social impact.
Governor Mike DeWine Appoints Brown, Rodriguez to Ohio Commissions
Governor Mike DeWine has appointed Timothy Brown, Grand Rapids Ohio, to the Ohio Lake Erie Commission and Christina Rodriguez, Toledo, to the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission. Brown, an advocate for environmental protection, will work on efforts to preserve Lake Erie’s ecosystem. Rodriguez, a passionate community leader, will contribute to the commission’s initiatives to honor Dr. King’s legacy through events and education across Ohio. governor.ohio.gov/media/appointments/governors-appointments-for-december-19-2024
Yark Automotive Group Supports MemoryLane Care Services
MemoryLane Care Services, celebrating a decade of providing crucial support for families affected by dementia, thanks Yark Automotive Group for a generous donation to support their mission. The company presented a check for $24,020 to help continue services for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. The donation comes from Yark’s 2024 End of Year campaign, where a portion of vehicle sales were earmarked for MemoryLane, continuing Yark’s ongoing commitment, with over $250,000 donated since 2016. The partnership is deeply personal for the Yark family, as they have experienced the challenges of dementia firsthand.
Toledo Awarded $4 Million HUD Grant to Enhance Affordable Housing
The City of Toledo has received a $4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) program. This funding, part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Housing Supply Action Plan, will help modernize zoning codes, streamline permitting and incentivize affordable housing in key neighborhoods. Toledo is one of only 18 communities nationwide to receive a share of HUD’s $100 million in grants. Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur praised the grant as a critical step toward improving housing affordability and supporting regional growth.
Lucas County Auditor’s Office Earns Prestigious Financial Reporting Awards
The Office of Lucas County Auditor Katie Moline has been honored with the Government Finance Officers Association’s (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, marking the 40th consecutive year Lucas County has received this recognition for transparency and accuracy in financial reporting. The office aksi earned GFOA’s award for its 2023 Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR), designed for easy public understanding.
