October 7, 2024 • 16 mins
ANNOUNCEMENT: Leadership Transition at NECIC
The NECIC Board of Directors is announcing an important leadership transition at the North End Community Improvement Collaborative (NECIC). After eighteen years of dedicated service, Deanna West-Torrence will step down from her role as CEO and assume the title of Founder. Deanna has been a driving force behind NECIC since its inception in 2006 and her legacy in the North End community is profound. A longtime resident and community leader, she has dedicated her life to improving the quality of life and economic landscape of the North End.
Her journey with NECIC began with a vision of a resident driven plan to address the numerous challenges faced by the neighborhood. Having served on Mansfield City Council as the Fifth Ward council representative, she recognized that there was no comprehensive plan that addressed the issues residents wanted solved. As early as 2005, following her council service, Deanna was hired under former Mayor Lydia Reid, to be the Director of the city’s Department of Regional Community Advancement (formerly the Neighborhood Youth Corps). It was then that she began conversations with the then Fran and Warren Rupp Foundation and they suggested convening a group of residents and community leaders to address the challenges faced by the neighborhood. Under her leadership, NECIC has become a cornerstone of community development, empowering residents and fostering sustainable growth. The Community Economic Development plan was the first of its kind, laying the groundwork for future community planning efforts such as Mansfield Rising that also encompassed parts of the North End. Under Deanna’s leadership, the organization has delivered three iterations of the Community Economic Development Plan and has accomplished many of the goals of the program through its programming that has grown to include the African American Leadership Initiative, neighborhood small grants, blight elimination projects, elder and youth programming, civic engagement programs, housing related services, small and minority business development, an alternative staffing agency, community garden grants program, a teaching garden, and urban farming. All of these efforts were part of fulfilling the residents’ wishes and building on the assets available. Most recently, the organization launched an effort to build a Community Impact Center which is a long-term goal that will provide healthcare, mental health arts, education, recreation, and office space to several partner agencies who have come together to impact the community, even beyond the neighborhood.
Deanna recently relocated to San Diego to be with her family, including her daughter, son-in-law, and grandson. Although she is stepping back from her role as CEO, she will continue to provide her invaluable wisdom and guidance to NECIC as its Founder. In this role Deanna will focus on strategic mentorship of the incoming CEO, program development and innovation, managing special projects, and supporting grant writing and fund development efforts. This role allows Deanna to leverage her deep institutional knowledge and community connections to ensure NECIC's ongoing growth and success while empowering the new CEO to lead independently.
We are also pleased to announce that Tony Chinni, our current Research and Development Manager and the longest-serving staff member at NECIC, will be stepping into the role of Interim CEO. Tony joined NECIC in 2007 as its first intern, even before the doors were officially open. He has played a critical role in helping Deanna establish the organization and has been at the forefront of our community development planning efforts ever since. Tony has served as the CommunityDevelopment Manager, Housing Coordinator, and most recently its Research and Development Manager.
Born and raised in Mansfield, Tony graduated from Mansfield Senior High in 1994 and later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in European History from The Ohio State University in 2007. Throughout his time at NECIC, Tony has been the primary author of the North End’s Community Economic Development Plans, the key documents that have guided our work in the community. He is currently leading the latest update to this plan, ensuring that our efforts continue to reflect the needs and aspirations of North End residents.
“As I step into this role, I am deeply honored and humbled to continue the incredible work that Deanna and I dedicated ourselves to over the past seventeen years,” Tony Chinni stated. “Deanna has not only been a mentor but also a dear friend, whose leadership and vision have profoundly shaped this organization, this community, and me personally. Together with our incredible team, we’ve worked tirelessly to strengthen our community, and I am committed to upholding the values and progress we’ve achieved. I look forward to leading this agency with the same passion and ded
The NECIC Board of Directors is announcing an important leadership transition at the North End Community Improvement Collaborative (NECIC). After eighteen years of dedicated service, Deanna West-Torrence will step down from her role as CEO and assume the title of Founder. Deanna has been a driving force behind NECIC since its inception in 2006 and her legacy in the North End community is profound. A longtime resident and community leader, she has dedicated her life to improving the quality of life and economic landscape of the North End.
Her journey with NECIC began with a vision of a resident driven plan to address the numerous challenges faced by the neighborhood. Having served on Mansfield City Council as the Fifth Ward council representative, she recognized that there was no comprehensive plan that addressed the issues residents wanted solved. As early as 2005, following her council service, Deanna was hired under former Mayor Lydia Reid, to be the Director of the city’s Department of Regional Community Advancement (formerly the Neighborhood Youth Corps). It was then that she began conversations with the then Fran and Warren Rupp Foundation and they suggested convening a group of residents and community leaders to address the challenges faced by the neighborhood. Under her leadership, NECIC has become a cornerstone of community development, empowering residents and fostering sustainable growth. The Community Economic Development plan was the first of its kind, laying the groundwork for future community planning efforts such as Mansfield Rising that also encompassed parts of the North End. Under Deanna’s leadership, the organization has delivered three iterations of the Community Economic Development Plan and has accomplished many of the goals of the program through its programming that has grown to include the African American Leadership Initiative, neighborhood small grants, blight elimination projects, elder and youth programming, civic engagement programs, housing related services, small and minority business development, an alternative staffing agency, community garden grants program, a teaching garden, and urban farming. All of these efforts were part of fulfilling the residents’ wishes and building on the assets available. Most recently, the organization launched an effort to build a Community Impact Center which is a long-term goal that will provide healthcare, mental health arts, education, recreation, and office space to several partner agencies who have come together to impact the community, even beyond the neighborhood.
Deanna recently relocated to San Diego to be with her family, including her daughter, son-in-law, and grandson. Although she is stepping back from her role as CEO, she will continue to provide her invaluable wisdom and guidance to NECIC as its Founder. In this role Deanna will focus on strategic mentorship of the incoming CEO, program development and innovation, managing special projects, and supporting grant writing and fund development efforts. This role allows Deanna to leverage her deep institutional knowledge and community connections to ensure NECIC's ongoing growth and success while empowering the new CEO to lead independently.
We are also pleased to announce that Tony Chinni, our current Research and Development Manager and the longest-serving staff member at NECIC, will be stepping into the role of Interim CEO. Tony joined NECIC in 2007 as its first intern, even before the doors were officially open. He has played a critical role in helping Deanna establish the organization and has been at the forefront of our community development planning efforts ever since. Tony has served as the CommunityDevelopment Manager, Housing Coordinator, and most recently its Research and Development Manager.
Born and raised in Mansfield, Tony graduated from Mansfield Senior High in 1994 and later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in European History from The Ohio State University in 2007. Throughout his time at NECIC, Tony has been the primary author of the North End’s Community Economic Development Plans, the key documents that have guided our work in the community. He is currently leading the latest update to this plan, ensuring that our efforts continue to reflect the needs and aspirations of North End residents.
“As I step into this role, I am deeply honored and humbled to continue the incredible work that Deanna and I dedicated ourselves to over the past seventeen years,” Tony Chinni stated. “Deanna has not only been a mentor but also a dear friend, whose leadership and vision have profoundly shaped this organization, this community, and me personally. Together with our incredible team, we’ve worked tirelessly to strengthen our community, and I am committed to upholding the values and progress we’ve achieved. I look forward to leading this agency with the same passion and ded
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
The CEO you should know. Brought to you by Roby
Foster Miller Eric Insurance. This week's CEO Tony Chenney, Interim
CEO of the North End Community Improvement Collaborative. Good morning
and thanks for coming in today.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Good morning, thanks for having.
Speaker 1 (00:18):
Me absolutely all right. So big news with you guys.
You're founder Deana West Torrance. Of course, I know who
was CEO for a long time, has decided to step down.
I know, you know, family and things like that for
her with the move. So you have now slid over
into that role. You have to be excited.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Oh I'm very excited.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
So as we talk about that and we'll learn all
about NECIIC. But you have been there for a long time, correct.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Yes, Yes, I started with the organization as an intern
when they were just opening the doors. So I was
Diana's very first intern. It's about seventeen years now. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
I was going to say, hey, you're pushing your way
toward twenty years. All right, So if somebody is not
where they maybe they just moved to the area. They
just moved to Mansfield, Richland County, and they've seen any
CIC North and Community Improvement Collaborative. Can you explain what
you guys do.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Absolutely so ANYCIIC. It's a five oh one C three
nonprofit organization. We are focused geographically on what we define
as the North End, which is basically three census tracks
of Richland County Census Tract six seven sixteen and a
portion of thirty one which is basically downtown Mansfield. But
what that really means to most people is north of
(01:35):
Park Avenue between Trimble Road and North Main Street and
then we go all the way out to both Road
is our sort of geographic footprint. With that said, we
also run two social enterprises, which basically, if you don't
know what a social enterprise is, it's where a nonprofit
can run a for profit arm to earn money to
go towards mission work. So we have a staffing agency
(01:57):
that actually staffs all throughout Richland County and sometimes even beyond.
We also have our Urban Farm and that they sell
produce all over the state of Ohio. So we have
kind of grown from the North End, so to speak.
And you know, we're also the Minority Business Assistant Center
for Richland County and we're also a member of the
Richland Grow.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
Up Terrific to learn this morning about any CIIC. The
North End Community Improvement Collaborative, their interim CEO, Tony Chinney
is with us. So you talked about the North End,
could you talk a little bit about if people don't
know Dana West Torrents founding this as we talked about
a little bit about kind of how that all got started.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
Sure thing, as I understand it, I came in in
two thousand and seven as an intern. As I mentioned,
that was the summer of two thousand and seven, and
at that time the organization was kind of it was
just an idea. They had a board, they had the
five oh one C three, they had done some planning,
but basically it started with people coming back to town
and noticing the disinvestment. There were schools closing, the neighborhood
(03:00):
schools were gone, and just things just weren't like they
used to be. And a group of concerned residents focused
primarily at the oc Hill Neighborhood Center, which is kind
of in the heart or was in the heart of
the North End. They came together and decided that we
needed an organization that was comprehensive, and we needed a
(03:20):
plan that was comprehensive for the neighborhood. So they came
together using something called asset based community development. We surveyed
widely throughout the community to find out what people cared about.
We counted things, We took what we call an asset inventory.
You know, what do we have to work with in
the neighborhood to build upon? You know, traditional social service
(03:43):
is very deficit based, and that's one of the things
that makes us very different as we're focused on the
things we can build on.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
All right, tremendous this morning as you hear the voice
of Tony Chenny, who is the interim CEO of any CIC,
the North End Community Improvement Collaborative, he is this week's CEO.
You should know. So as people learn about the north
and what you guys do, could you throw out any
programs anything somebody might not know about to be aware
(04:10):
of different things that you guys provide.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Sure. Well. I would like to say first of all,
that all of our work is guided by a plan
that comes from neighborhood residents and so our programs really
started with a lot of community organizing work. So the
very first program we started was our Neighborhood Toolshed going
way back, and that was a place where people could
come and borrow a lawn tool maybe it couldn't afford it,
(04:34):
and take care of their lawns. So we saw a
decrease in blight in the neighborhood from that program. We
brought together elders from the North End and they are
still convening to this very day. We brought together the
faith based community, so we have a faith based advisory committee.
But a lot of people know us for our urban
(04:54):
farming work, which that's kind of a very big impact
and a very visual thing down on Bowman Street three
eleven Bowman Street, which is a partnership with the Gorman
Ruck Company, So down there we have a farmer's market
that we run throughout the season. And all of this
food work basically came from another program, which was our
(05:15):
small Grants program, which was something where neighborhood residents could
come together with an idea for public good and we
would give them two hundred and fifty dollars to accomplish that.
And out of that many many projects came from that
through the years, but one of the notable ones was
our community gardens. It wasn't something that was on our radar,
(05:36):
and we started getting lots of applications for people to
do community gardens, and we realized this was a thing
and no pun intended, but everything that we do has
grown from the community gardens. So from there we ended
up doing a land reuse project which was the Teaching Garden,
So again that was a place where we could start
(05:56):
teaching people about food. We started to get into the
schools system to try to get younger and younger people
interested in where their food comes from. And meanwhile we're
also partnering with institutions of higher learning. How State University
partnered with us to basically create the urban Farm. So
all of that came from neighborhood residence ideas and also
(06:18):
the fact that part of our planning is looking at
a lot of data and we found that neighborhood was
also a USDA food desert. So this has been part
of our initiative to try to address that in as
many ways as we possibly can.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
Yeah, great to learn about all you guys are doing
in the North End. Again. Tony Chenny is with us
this morning. Again he is interim CEO of NECIC, the
North End Community Improvement Collaborative. Before we go any further,
maybe I should have led here. Where are you guys
located at exactly in town?
Speaker 2 (06:48):
Well, our headquarters, our main office is at one thirty
four North Main Street Downtown. That's also where our staffing
agency is located, the Minority Business Assistance Center, and we're
also one of our partners. Field nine Architecture is located
there as well. That we have, as I mentioned, the
Urban Farm at three eleven Bowman Street. Typically that's not
necessarily open to the public, but it's a place the
(07:10):
Farmer's Market. It's every Thursday from four to seven seasonally,
I believe it begins in May and runs to September.
We actually just had our last farmer's market last week.
And then we also have a site at the originally
correctional Institute, the Flourish Farm, which is a partnership with Ricky.
And we also have our Community Outreach Center which is
(07:33):
right in the heart of the neighborhood, which is a
lot where we do a lot of programming and it's
actually the site of major project that we are working on,
which is to build a community impact center on that
site where we have.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
That right So then it was recent news about that.
So a lot happening with your organization, just a couple
of things. Yeah, it's going to say, well, it's great.
Now in terms of people you serve, talk about that
a little bit. Who all comes to see you guys?
Speaker 2 (07:56):
Well, like I mentioned, we you know, we serve pretty
much people from across the board, a very diverse group
of people. It started, like I mentioned, with the people
in the neighborhood of the North End, and that is
you know, it's a low income neighborhood. It's racially diverse,
it's diverse in terms of age, things like that. But yeah,
(08:18):
those are the folks that we're really about. But we're
not exclusive in any way, shape or form. That's who
our funders told us to serve, and that's who we serve.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
If somebody wants more information, how about a website and
well we'll touch on this a little bit a bit
later too, but how about a website phone number? If
somebody wants to go online and get more information, sure the.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Phone numbers four one nine five two two one six
one one, and our website is www. Anycic dash, Ohio
dot org.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
So you are now currently interim CEO. But I guess
what all titles or what title have you held with
the organization.
Speaker 2 (08:53):
Well, let me think back here. I was the summer intern,
I was a community development coordinator. I was the housing
coordinator at one time, and I believe the last one
was I was the research and development manager.
Speaker 1 (09:08):
All right, many hats.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
Yes, indeed, yeah, a lot of things there.
Speaker 1 (09:12):
And so now from what I was understanding, that the
hope is with the board to have a CEO than
in place by was it July of twenty five?
Speaker 2 (09:20):
That's the plan?
Speaker 1 (09:20):
Yeah, okay, all right, so I'm sure there'll be a
lot of conversations. You guys work your way toward that.
As we learned this morning about Tony Chenny, we're going
to go a little bit further but find out more
about him personally. You might not know where he's from
all that. So let's go back to the very beginning.
People may be wondering, tell us where was Tony Chenni born.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
I was born in Mansfield, Ohio, Okay, and raised Next,
they're gonna want to know where did you go to
high school? I went to Mansfield Senior High right in
the north end, all right.
Speaker 1 (09:50):
To t Y Tiger next, Ellsbot College.
Speaker 2 (09:52):
Went to the ohuse State University. I have a degree
in European history from OSU.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
All right, so when you were growing up, what were
the aspirations? What did you you know, what did you
want to be? How did you you kind of make
your way to any CIC growing up or what did
you want to be when you think back to those days.
Speaker 2 (10:09):
Well, I've always music has always been my passion. I've
always wanted to be a musician, and I am a musician.
I just am not professionally, all right, But yeah, that's
that was It's always been my passion.
Speaker 1 (10:20):
Now, how did you kind of work your way to
any c I see, how did that story happen?
Speaker 2 (10:25):
That came from? Basically when I was at Ohio State.
At that point, my intention was to get into academia.
I was studying history and it just came across my
email one day that they were looking for an intern
and I have I have a vivid memory of googling,
you know, the North End Community Improvement collaborating and there
was nothing. It didn't you know, come to find out,
(10:46):
it didn't exist yet, and that's where I ended up
helping Deanna put the organization together.
Speaker 1 (10:52):
So you've been there since day one then? Basically pretty
much yeah, pretty much cool all right, great, Well, it's
awesome to learn your story. A few more questions while
we have you with us here this morning. I don't
know married kids. Tell us some more about Tony and
the family.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
No family to speak of, really, I'm twice divorced, and
I mean I have my parents and my brother and sister.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
How about spare time when you are not working hobbies?
What do you like to do when you have some downtime?
Speaker 2 (11:20):
Well, as I mentioned, I am a musician. I have
a band that I play with, and I also I'm
a big record collector. That's one of my big passions.
I have a huge record collection.
Speaker 1 (11:31):
Awesome, all right, cool, all right, Well before we let
you go, let's circle back again to any cics you
hear this morning from their interim CEO, Tony Chinney again.
North End Community Improvement Collaborative right now ballpark. How many
staff members do you guys have at the organization we've got?
Speaker 2 (11:51):
It would be twelve if you count our consultant. We
have a consultant for our food work.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
Now for you guys, I'm sure all year is big
is with you know, food and things like that? Is
are there busier times than others over the course of
a calendar year.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
Sure, with especially again with the sort of the agricultural
food stuff that obviously is going to be the spring
through fall kind of thing, but we're busy year round.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
Did you say that the food is sold not only
locally but statewide? Does it go across the country even.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
I'm not aware of it going out of the state.
My understanding is that it's all sold primarily to Ohio
can which is basically supplying food banks across the state
of Ohio.
Speaker 1 (12:32):
That's great. Think of the work that you guys do
you know, as helping people across the state.
Speaker 2 (12:36):
Then yeah, And as I mentioned, the Richland grow Up
is a program. I don't know if i'd call it
a program, but it's an initiative to collectively sell for
the members of this grow up. So it's kind of
power magnified by a group of growers.
Speaker 1 (12:52):
So he speak so really really cool Tony Chenney before
we let him go again, Interim CEO of the North
End Community Improvement Collaborative, we talked about staff. You also
wanted to mention winter times not too far away and
you're looking for somebody for an intern for some help, right.
Speaker 2 (13:07):
Yeah, we are big on internships. That's been something you
know since I was there. It's the first intern But yes,
we are looking for a winter intern currently to do
some community organizing work with the organization and they can
reach out at the number I gave earlier.
Speaker 1 (13:22):
Or when does that officially start? You need them by
December or is it earlier than that? Do you have
kind of a bolt this so people have an idea.
Speaker 2 (13:27):
It's pretty flexible. The definition of winter. It's really just
kind of a specific amount of hours that that person
can get. Yeah, so it has to be a student,
so working in that.
Speaker 1 (13:37):
We'll give that contact information one more time before we
let them go. My final thing would be kind of
gives you a moment to brag about yourselves a little
bit all the great work you guys do at the
North End Community Improvement Collaborative. But take a moment here.
Tell those listening what makes the organization special.
Speaker 2 (13:54):
Well, I would say, first of all, it's the planning
that we do on our third iteration of a neighborhood plan,
and that came all of the recommendations came from the
people that live in the neighborhood and this is our bible.
This is what we work towards the goals in this
So if we stay true to that, we stay true
(14:15):
to the neighborhood. I think also the fact that we
use asset based community development is a huge thing that
defines all of our work. We also sort of brand
ourselves to something we call a transformative convener, which just
means bringing people around the table to solve problems collectively.
We don't have the answers, you know, We just we
have some resources and some things that we can share
(14:37):
and we collaborate. That's our middle name.
Speaker 1 (14:39):
So get them to the right people with the right answers,
right sir, Yes, love it now. I don't know if
we talked a whole lot about this. You brought up
a staffing agency for you guys earlier, too, correct, Do
you want to talk about that a little bit more
in detail?
Speaker 2 (14:51):
We try to find jobs for people. We are basically
we try to brand ourselves as an alternative staffing agency.
So we try to provide a better worker in that
we provide supportive services that maybe addresses some of the
barriers that somebody might be facing to get to work,
whether it's transportation, childcare, you name it.
Speaker 1 (15:11):
There's so many Now, before I let you go. Let's
circle back and if somebody you know wants to be
that winner intern they want to get more information all
the great things that you guys do with anyci SE.
How about a phone number again and again your your
website for people to get more information.
Speaker 2 (15:27):
Sure, the number is four one nine five two two
one six one one and the website is www nycic
dash Ohio dot org.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
All right, been a terrific conversation learning all about the
North End Community Improvement Collaborative and their interim CEO, Tony Chinney. Well, Tony,
it's been great to learn about the organization about you.
Thank you so much for being with us and we
wish you guys continued success.
Speaker 2 (15:53):
Well, thank you very much for having me appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (15:56):
Tony Chinny, interim CEO of any C See the CEO
you should know, read a bio, see a photo, and
hear the extended interview at wm A n FM dot com.
This is John Roby of RFME Insurance.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
It is said that a good leader sets the bar
high because he or she wants to reach goals and
make the best of their teams. We are proud to
introduce you to some of the community's leaders on the
CEO series
The CEO you should know. Brought to you by Roby
Foster Miller Eric Insurance. This week's CEO Tony Chenney, Interim
CEO of the North End Community Improvement Collaborative. Good morning
and thanks for coming in today.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Good morning, thanks for having.
Speaker 1 (00:18):
Me absolutely all right. So big news with you guys.
You're founder Deana West Torrance. Of course, I know who
was CEO for a long time, has decided to step down.
I know, you know, family and things like that for
her with the move. So you have now slid over
into that role. You have to be excited.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Oh I'm very excited.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
So as we talk about that and we'll learn all
about NECIIC. But you have been there for a long time, correct.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Yes, Yes, I started with the organization as an intern
when they were just opening the doors. So I was
Diana's very first intern. It's about seventeen years now. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
I was going to say, hey, you're pushing your way
toward twenty years. All right, So if somebody is not
where they maybe they just moved to the area. They
just moved to Mansfield, Richland County, and they've seen any
CIC North and Community Improvement Collaborative. Can you explain what
you guys do.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Absolutely so ANYCIIC. It's a five oh one C three
nonprofit organization. We are focused geographically on what we define
as the North End, which is basically three census tracks
of Richland County Census Tract six seven sixteen and a
portion of thirty one which is basically downtown Mansfield. But
what that really means to most people is north of
(01:35):
Park Avenue between Trimble Road and North Main Street and
then we go all the way out to both Road
is our sort of geographic footprint. With that said, we
also run two social enterprises, which basically, if you don't
know what a social enterprise is, it's where a nonprofit
can run a for profit arm to earn money to
go towards mission work. So we have a staffing agency
(01:57):
that actually staffs all throughout Richland County and sometimes even beyond.
We also have our Urban Farm and that they sell
produce all over the state of Ohio. So we have
kind of grown from the North End, so to speak.
And you know, we're also the Minority Business Assistant Center
for Richland County and we're also a member of the
Richland Grow.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
Up Terrific to learn this morning about any CIIC. The
North End Community Improvement Collaborative, their interim CEO, Tony Chinney
is with us. So you talked about the North End,
could you talk a little bit about if people don't
know Dana West Torrents founding this as we talked about
a little bit about kind of how that all got started.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
Sure thing, as I understand it, I came in in
two thousand and seven as an intern. As I mentioned,
that was the summer of two thousand and seven, and
at that time the organization was kind of it was
just an idea. They had a board, they had the
five oh one C three, they had done some planning,
but basically it started with people coming back to town
and noticing the disinvestment. There were schools closing, the neighborhood
(03:00):
schools were gone, and just things just weren't like they
used to be. And a group of concerned residents focused
primarily at the oc Hill Neighborhood Center, which is kind
of in the heart or was in the heart of
the North End. They came together and decided that we
needed an organization that was comprehensive, and we needed a
(03:20):
plan that was comprehensive for the neighborhood. So they came
together using something called asset based community development. We surveyed
widely throughout the community to find out what people cared about.
We counted things, We took what we call an asset inventory.
You know, what do we have to work with in
the neighborhood to build upon? You know, traditional social service
(03:43):
is very deficit based, and that's one of the things
that makes us very different as we're focused on the
things we can build on.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
All right, tremendous this morning as you hear the voice
of Tony Chenny, who is the interim CEO of any CIC,
the North End Community Improvement Collaborative, he is this week's CEO.
You should know. So as people learn about the north
and what you guys do, could you throw out any
programs anything somebody might not know about to be aware
(04:10):
of different things that you guys provide.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Sure. Well. I would like to say first of all,
that all of our work is guided by a plan
that comes from neighborhood residents and so our programs really
started with a lot of community organizing work. So the
very first program we started was our Neighborhood Toolshed going
way back, and that was a place where people could
come and borrow a lawn tool maybe it couldn't afford it,
(04:34):
and take care of their lawns. So we saw a
decrease in blight in the neighborhood from that program. We
brought together elders from the North End and they are
still convening to this very day. We brought together the
faith based community, so we have a faith based advisory committee.
But a lot of people know us for our urban
(04:54):
farming work, which that's kind of a very big impact
and a very visual thing down on Bowman Street three
eleven Bowman Street, which is a partnership with the Gorman
Ruck Company, So down there we have a farmer's market
that we run throughout the season. And all of this
food work basically came from another program, which was our
(05:15):
small Grants program, which was something where neighborhood residents could
come together with an idea for public good and we
would give them two hundred and fifty dollars to accomplish that.
And out of that many many projects came from that
through the years, but one of the notable ones was
our community gardens. It wasn't something that was on our radar,
(05:36):
and we started getting lots of applications for people to
do community gardens, and we realized this was a thing
and no pun intended, but everything that we do has
grown from the community gardens. So from there we ended
up doing a land reuse project which was the Teaching Garden,
So again that was a place where we could start
(05:56):
teaching people about food. We started to get into the
schools system to try to get younger and younger people
interested in where their food comes from. And meanwhile we're
also partnering with institutions of higher learning. How State University
partnered with us to basically create the urban Farm. So
all of that came from neighborhood residence ideas and also
(06:18):
the fact that part of our planning is looking at
a lot of data and we found that neighborhood was
also a USDA food desert. So this has been part
of our initiative to try to address that in as
many ways as we possibly can.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
Yeah, great to learn about all you guys are doing
in the North End. Again. Tony Chenny is with us
this morning. Again he is interim CEO of NECIC, the
North End Community Improvement Collaborative. Before we go any further,
maybe I should have led here. Where are you guys
located at exactly in town?
Speaker 2 (06:48):
Well, our headquarters, our main office is at one thirty
four North Main Street Downtown. That's also where our staffing
agency is located, the Minority Business Assistance Center, and we're
also one of our partners. Field nine Architecture is located
there as well. That we have, as I mentioned, the
Urban Farm at three eleven Bowman Street. Typically that's not
necessarily open to the public, but it's a place the
(07:10):
Farmer's Market. It's every Thursday from four to seven seasonally,
I believe it begins in May and runs to September.
We actually just had our last farmer's market last week.
And then we also have a site at the originally
correctional Institute, the Flourish Farm, which is a partnership with Ricky.
And we also have our Community Outreach Center which is
(07:33):
right in the heart of the neighborhood, which is a
lot where we do a lot of programming and it's
actually the site of major project that we are working on,
which is to build a community impact center on that
site where we have.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
That right So then it was recent news about that.
So a lot happening with your organization, just a couple
of things. Yeah, it's going to say, well, it's great.
Now in terms of people you serve, talk about that
a little bit. Who all comes to see you guys?
Speaker 2 (07:56):
Well, like I mentioned, we you know, we serve pretty
much people from across the board, a very diverse group
of people. It started, like I mentioned, with the people
in the neighborhood of the North End, and that is
you know, it's a low income neighborhood. It's racially diverse,
it's diverse in terms of age, things like that. But yeah,
(08:18):
those are the folks that we're really about. But we're
not exclusive in any way, shape or form. That's who
our funders told us to serve, and that's who we serve.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
If somebody wants more information, how about a website and
well we'll touch on this a little bit a bit
later too, but how about a website phone number? If
somebody wants to go online and get more information, sure the.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Phone numbers four one nine five two two one six
one one, and our website is www. Anycic dash, Ohio
dot org.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
So you are now currently interim CEO. But I guess
what all titles or what title have you held with
the organization.
Speaker 2 (08:53):
Well, let me think back here. I was the summer intern,
I was a community development coordinator. I was the housing
coordinator at one time, and I believe the last one
was I was the research and development manager.
Speaker 1 (09:08):
All right, many hats.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
Yes, indeed, yeah, a lot of things there.
Speaker 1 (09:12):
And so now from what I was understanding, that the
hope is with the board to have a CEO than
in place by was it July of twenty five?
Speaker 2 (09:20):
That's the plan?
Speaker 1 (09:20):
Yeah, okay, all right, so I'm sure there'll be a
lot of conversations. You guys work your way toward that.
As we learned this morning about Tony Chenny, we're going
to go a little bit further but find out more
about him personally. You might not know where he's from
all that. So let's go back to the very beginning.
People may be wondering, tell us where was Tony Chenni born.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
I was born in Mansfield, Ohio, Okay, and raised Next,
they're gonna want to know where did you go to
high school? I went to Mansfield Senior High right in
the north end, all right.
Speaker 1 (09:50):
To t Y Tiger next, Ellsbot College.
Speaker 2 (09:52):
Went to the ohuse State University. I have a degree
in European history from OSU.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
All right, so when you were growing up, what were
the aspirations? What did you you know, what did you
want to be? How did you you kind of make
your way to any CIC growing up or what did
you want to be when you think back to those days.
Speaker 2 (10:09):
Well, I've always music has always been my passion. I've
always wanted to be a musician, and I am a musician.
I just am not professionally, all right, But yeah, that's
that was It's always been my passion.
Speaker 1 (10:20):
Now, how did you kind of work your way to
any c I see, how did that story happen?
Speaker 2 (10:25):
That came from? Basically when I was at Ohio State.
At that point, my intention was to get into academia.
I was studying history and it just came across my
email one day that they were looking for an intern
and I have I have a vivid memory of googling,
you know, the North End Community Improvement collaborating and there
was nothing. It didn't you know, come to find out,
(10:46):
it didn't exist yet, and that's where I ended up
helping Deanna put the organization together.
Speaker 1 (10:52):
So you've been there since day one then? Basically pretty
much yeah, pretty much cool all right, great, Well, it's
awesome to learn your story. A few more questions while
we have you with us here this morning. I don't
know married kids. Tell us some more about Tony and
the family.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
No family to speak of, really, I'm twice divorced, and
I mean I have my parents and my brother and sister.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
How about spare time when you are not working hobbies?
What do you like to do when you have some downtime?
Speaker 2 (11:20):
Well, as I mentioned, I am a musician. I have
a band that I play with, and I also I'm
a big record collector. That's one of my big passions.
I have a huge record collection.
Speaker 1 (11:31):
Awesome, all right, cool, all right, Well before we let
you go, let's circle back again to any cics you
hear this morning from their interim CEO, Tony Chinney again.
North End Community Improvement Collaborative right now ballpark. How many
staff members do you guys have at the organization we've got?
Speaker 2 (11:51):
It would be twelve if you count our consultant. We
have a consultant for our food work.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
Now for you guys, I'm sure all year is big
is with you know, food and things like that? Is
are there busier times than others over the course of
a calendar year.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
Sure, with especially again with the sort of the agricultural
food stuff that obviously is going to be the spring
through fall kind of thing, but we're busy year round.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
Did you say that the food is sold not only
locally but statewide? Does it go across the country even.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
I'm not aware of it going out of the state.
My understanding is that it's all sold primarily to Ohio
can which is basically supplying food banks across the state
of Ohio.
Speaker 1 (12:32):
That's great. Think of the work that you guys do
you know, as helping people across the state.
Speaker 2 (12:36):
Then yeah, And as I mentioned, the Richland grow Up
is a program. I don't know if i'd call it
a program, but it's an initiative to collectively sell for
the members of this grow up. So it's kind of
power magnified by a group of growers.
Speaker 1 (12:52):
So he speak so really really cool Tony Chenney before
we let him go again, Interim CEO of the North
End Community Improvement Collaborative, we talked about staff. You also
wanted to mention winter times not too far away and
you're looking for somebody for an intern for some help, right.
Speaker 2 (13:07):
Yeah, we are big on internships. That's been something you
know since I was there. It's the first intern But yes,
we are looking for a winter intern currently to do
some community organizing work with the organization and they can
reach out at the number I gave earlier.
Speaker 1 (13:22):
Or when does that officially start? You need them by
December or is it earlier than that? Do you have
kind of a bolt this so people have an idea.
Speaker 2 (13:27):
It's pretty flexible. The definition of winter. It's really just
kind of a specific amount of hours that that person
can get. Yeah, so it has to be a student,
so working in that.
Speaker 1 (13:37):
We'll give that contact information one more time before we
let them go. My final thing would be kind of
gives you a moment to brag about yourselves a little
bit all the great work you guys do at the
North End Community Improvement Collaborative. But take a moment here.
Tell those listening what makes the organization special.
Speaker 2 (13:54):
Well, I would say, first of all, it's the planning
that we do on our third iteration of a neighborhood plan,
and that came all of the recommendations came from the
people that live in the neighborhood and this is our bible.
This is what we work towards the goals in this
So if we stay true to that, we stay true
(14:15):
to the neighborhood. I think also the fact that we
use asset based community development is a huge thing that
defines all of our work. We also sort of brand
ourselves to something we call a transformative convener, which just
means bringing people around the table to solve problems collectively.
We don't have the answers, you know, We just we
have some resources and some things that we can share
(14:37):
and we collaborate. That's our middle name.
Speaker 1 (14:39):
So get them to the right people with the right answers,
right sir, Yes, love it now. I don't know if
we talked a whole lot about this. You brought up
a staffing agency for you guys earlier, too, correct, Do
you want to talk about that a little bit more
in detail?
Speaker 2 (14:51):
We try to find jobs for people. We are basically
we try to brand ourselves as an alternative staffing agency.
So we try to provide a better worker in that
we provide supportive services that maybe addresses some of the
barriers that somebody might be facing to get to work,
whether it's transportation, childcare, you name it.
Speaker 1 (15:11):
There's so many Now, before I let you go. Let's
circle back and if somebody you know wants to be
that winner intern they want to get more information all
the great things that you guys do with anyci SE.
How about a phone number again and again your your
website for people to get more information.
Speaker 2 (15:27):
Sure, the number is four one nine five two two
one six one one and the website is www nycic
dash Ohio dot org.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
All right, been a terrific conversation learning all about the
North End Community Improvement Collaborative and their interim CEO, Tony Chinney. Well, Tony,
it's been great to learn about the organization about you.
Thank you so much for being with us and we
wish you guys continued success.
Speaker 2 (15:53):
Well, thank you very much for having me appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (15:56):
Tony Chinny, interim CEO of any C See the CEO
you should know, read a bio, see a photo, and
hear the extended interview at wm A n FM dot com.
This is John Roby of RFME Insurance.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
It is said that a good leader sets the bar
high because he or she wants to reach goals and
make the best of their teams. We are proud to
introduce you to some of the community's leaders on the
CEO series
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