NORTH END COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT COLLABORATIVE INC

GUIDED BY A RESIDENT-DRIVEN COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN APPROVED IN 2011 AND UPDATED IN 2017 BY MANSFIELD CITY COUNCIL, NECIC'S MISSION IS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND ECONOMIC LANDSCAPE FOR RESIDENTS LIVING IN CENSUS TRACTS 6 & 7, AND 16 IN MANSFIELD, RICHLAND COUNTY, OHIO. THE PLAN FOCUSES ON HEALTH AND SAFETY; PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSIT, COMMUNITY SPACES AND LAND USE; EDUCATION; ECONOMIC AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING. THROUGH TRANSFORMATIVE ORGANIZING, CONVENING AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, NECIC COORDINATES AND SUPPORTS COMMUNITY GARDENS THROUGHOUT RICHLAND COUNTY AND HOSTS A WEEKLY NORTH END FARMER'S MARKET FROM JUNE- OCTOBER; OPERATES A 12-ACRE URBAN FARM HOSTING ITS OWN AND TWO NORTH END RESIDENT/S MICROFARMS ONSITE; CONDUCTS MICROBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT TRAINING AND A MICROLENDING PROGRAM. NECIC SUPPORTS MINORITY LEADERSHIP AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS AND IS THE LOCAL SUBSITE OF THE MINORITY BUSINESS ASSISTANCE CENTER. THE ORGANIZATION IS THE CONVENER OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE AND MANSFIELD'S MY BROTHER'S KEEPER PROGRAM. SINCE 2016, NECIC HAS ALSO OPERATED AN ALTERNATIVE TEMPORARY STAFFING AGENCY (TEMP2HIGHER) WITH COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR LOW INCOME JOB SEEKERS AND TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES. NECIC HOSTS AMERICORPS VISTAS AND INTERNS ANNUALLY, AND SUPPORTS ITS BEAUTIFICATION AND FOOD ACCESS EFFORTS BY OPERATING A COMMUNITY TOOL LENDING LIBRARY AND HOSTING GARDENING AND RELATED EDUCATIONAL CLASSES AT ITS BLUST AVENUE TEACHING GARDEN. IN DIRECT SUPPORT OF NORTH END RESIDENTS, NECIC DISTRIBUTES SMALL GRANTS AND COMMUNITY GARDEN GRANTS AND PROVIDES VARIOUS NEIGHBORHOOD BASED ACTIVITIES SUCH AS ITS ANNUAL 60/60 CLEAN-UP WITH NORTH END RESIDENTS INCLUDING YOUTH, ADULTS, JOB SEEKERS, AND ELDERS. GROUNDED IN ASSET BASED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND UTILIZING BRIDGES OUT OF POVERTY PRINCIPLES, NECIC ALSO CONDUCTS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC STUDIES AND/OR ASSESSMENTS, REGULARLY COLLABORATES WITH A DIVERSE ARRAY OF PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTOR PARTNERS TO ADVANCE THE COMMUNITY'S PLAN.