Richland Outreach Center breaks ground on new home

Newman Park is about to get a makeover, courtesy of the Richland Outreach Center.

ROC held a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday afternoon at the site of the group's move to the old Newman Park and 415 Wayne St. parcel on the city's north side.

A new building and storage building have been purchased, and property from the Richland County Land Bank has been donated for the project.

Founder and Executive Director Tara Klebowski started ROC in 2015 to assist underserved youth and their families in the community.

Initially, Klebowski ran the organization out of her home. She attained nonprofit status for ROC in 2016.

Plans for the new site include a pavilion, basketball court and fencing to give kids a safe place to go.

Organizers brought a tent for the groundbreaking in case of rain, which had fallen throughout the day, almost until the start time.

"The weather changed just in time for this," said Jodie Perry, chief operating officer of Richland Chamber and Economic Development.

An 'exciting investment for this side of town'

Perry called the upcoming project "an exciting investment for this side of town."

A number of dignitaries showed up for the groundbreaking, including County Commissioners Tony Vero and Cliff Mears, Ontario Mayor Randy Hutchinson and Mansfield City Councilmembers David Falquette, Stephanie Zader, Aurelio Diaz and the Rev. El Akuchie.

Diaz represents the fifth ward, which is where ROC will be headquartered.

"I played at Newman Park when it was a park," he said.

ROC has been looking for a home for some time. The group had limited space at Ocie Hill, eventually securing two rooms on the third floor. When Ocie Hill closed because of safety reasons in March 2020, ROC purchased the Toy Time building on North Diamond Street.

"It was property that was not ideal for them," said Debra Weaver, principal consultant for Woven Opportunities.

The Toy Time building, which was also in poor condition, was sold last year. ROC initially planned to renovate the building, but repairs were going to be expensive and potentially affect the sustainability of the group.

Wayne Street is in the same neighborhood as the Toy Time building, which was sold to help purchase the new location.

"It will definitely help a lot," Klebowski said.

Richland Outreach Center started with Facebook group

She recalled ROC's humble beginnings.

"I ran a penny auction on Facebook," Klebowski said. "I wanted to branch out and help the community."

ROC offers sports clinics, a hygiene pantry and many other activities for the city's underserved youth.

"They're like a sleeper," said Weaver, who has provided consulting services for ROC. "They were a supporting agency of other agencies, like Children's Cupboard at Ocie Hill."

Since selling the Toy Time building, ROC has been working without a facility, Weaver said, still holding events "and making it work as they wait for this new opportunity."

Klebowski said plans include starting work on the site in early February. She said ROC will be in its new home later this year.

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

Twitter: @MNJCaudill

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Richland Outreach Center to have new home on Mansfield's North End