Taft Promise Neighborhood Launches Free Community Programs - Vindicator


Taft Promise Neighborhood is launching free community programs at Taft Elementary School, 730 E. Avondale Ave., this fall.

While students in the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley’s Success After 6 after-school program partake in educational and enrichment activities, the school will also be open for classes, workshops and other activities for families and neighborhood residents, according to a news release from Rebecca Soldan, an Americorps VISTA representative.

After months of asking residents for feedback, TPN coalition partners have developed a variety of programs in the areas of education, healthy living and exercise, job skills and more.

All community programs are free and open to adults 18 and older. The more events people attend, the more chances they have to win the grand prize of a brand new tablet at the annual Taft Promise Neighborhood Block Party in the spring.

A three-day resume writing and interviewing workshop, facilitated by YWCA of Youngstown, will take place from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. Space is limited, so participants must register online as soon as possible or contact taftpromise@gmail.com.

As part of Mercy Health’s Stepping Out program, the Taft Promise Neighborhood will begin hosting weekly Zumba classes from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. every Monday starting Sept. 19. These free classes are provided through a grant from the Mercy Health Foundation. Registration is not required to attend.

A Bystander Intervention event will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. Sept. 22. This event aims to educate attendees on how to intervene and prevent violent situations, including bullying, intimidation, sexual assault and intimate-partner violence.

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