After 30 years, the Ohio Cultural Alliance organization has called it quits. The reason is no one would step forward to run the organization.
This is a sign of the times in Youngstown. I know of several other organizations that recently ended or will cease to exist this year.
It will only get worse.....
:'( This is sad because these organizations have been a positive force for our community. One of the main problems is we have and are losing our younger leaders as they move out of the valley. We have to find a way to retain our younger generation, and by the same token, our older leaders must step up and be mentors to our young people at Youngstown State University.
Even the younger folks that still live here do not take an interest in the traditional organizations of the valley. Take a look at photos of those who attend public meetings. The vast majority of those in attendance are senior citizens.
I'm beginning to think some young people equate Facebook posts with public participation. It is not the same.