Neighborhood board making changes
6-5
By Stacey Creasy
Pilot News
PLYMOUTH � Demand and need are forcing a few changes with the Marshall County Neighborhood Council, Inc., the group that oversees the Neighborhood Center.
The center, located at 402 W. Garro St., opened its door to the community 21 years ago. Since then the center has worked to help those who are making an effort to help themselves. The center does not turn anyone away, but the staff is proud of the way they have assisted the working poor in Plymouth.
The Marshall County Neighbor-hood Council recently reorgnized by expanding the board to 16 members. The hope is the additional, new members will enable the board to continue its level of service to a growing number of people.
The new board of directors include: President Theresa Anderson, Vice President Kim Hughes, Treasurer Esther Williams, Assistant Treasurer Lloyd Anderson, Co-Secretaries Bernadine Neidig and Claudeen Hollar, Phyllis Bayne, Wilma Doll, Nellie Hunter, Diana Hoover, Mike Hoover, Walter Kelley, Hurshel Hunter, Jeff Holtzclaw, Carol Anders, and Tina Hennessy-Fitch.
Dianne Smith is the Director of the Center. She is in charge of the day-to-day operation of the facility.
The council released a statement Wednesday that states, �due to uncertain economic situations within the community, the center has experienced a drastic increase in the number of clients requesting assistance. The board is developing plans to implement new operating procedures to help ensure that there is no disruption of services to clients.�
�I would say we have seen a 25-30 percent increase in the past year or two,� said board president Theresa Anderson. �Young families have been very hard hit by the economy. We have a lot more minorities come in than we use to have.�
Anderson noted people who are in entry level positions are also a key group.
�When there is a layoff or cuts, they are usually the first to go,� Anderson stated.
The Neighborhood Center has an annual budget, thanks to the generosity of the United Way of Marshall County. However, as the demand increases, the budget has been stretched as far as it can go.
Anderson said the center can use donations in every size, shape and form.
�We need a lot more community involvement,� she added. �Some of our members are getting older, they are not as active. We hope to get a lot more Hispanic people involved. We need people who can speak Spanish. We could use some new people with some new ideas, maybe different ways of doing things. The world is a different place than it was 21 years ago when we started all this. We realize maybe we need to update some things.�
Regarding goods or items, the center can always use more donations. Some residents simply need to think about the center before they toss items away. Anderson said residents should think about the center before throwing away furniture, appliances that are operational, and household goods or clothing in decent shape.
For more information about the center and its programs or to discuss donations, call 574-936-3388.
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