The Seventh Ward Citizens' Coalition recently received a grant to start a tool lending program for its members. A variety of tools not normally found in the average home will be available for residents to use for home maintenance projects.
how does that program work?
Just to clarify. The Seventh Ward Citizens Coalition did not receive a grant for a tool lending program. The grant was received by the Neighborhood Improvement Corp, a city-wide non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in Youngstown by helping residents to maintain their homes and bring them "up to code". The grant money was provided in order to stock and operate a Community Tool Shed. The tools, will be available to residents of the city for use in bringing their homes into housing code compliance and to maintain their yards. At this time, the program is limited to those who are low-income, elderly and disabled as well as non-profit neighborhood groups such as block watches. The limitation is due to the constraints of the grant. It is hoped that over time, and with the help of the community, the program can be expanded. The program works much like the public library. You will be required to register, you will borrow the tool for a specific time frame and, of course, must return it.
The organization is looking, at this time, for people who will be willing to help staff the Community Tool Shed when it is open. Right now the group is in the process of marking all the tools for identification and theft prevention and have tentatively scheduled an open house for February. If you are interested in helping, let Phil Kidd at MVOC know and he will put you in contact with the appropriate parties. You can reach him at 330-743-1196.