TOLEDO, Ohio — The Friendship Park Community Center has continued to be a staple in the Point Place community over the past few years.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the center began to offer new, popular programming using American Rescue Plan Act funds.
"The problem that we saw, especially after the pandemic, was a lot of youth really needed that interaction, that interpersonal interaction between people other than just their family," said Toledo City Council member Theresa Morris, whose district encompasses Point Place. "It really does help to get people and communities together with interpersonal communication and interaction. So, we're happy to fund programs like this."
Creating connections within the community center has been a priority for many.
"Point Place is my community. I was born and raised here. I love my community and I think it's wonderful to be able to do activities for our community," said center manager Joyce Ejhinger.
Morris said ARPA funds have been key to financing community events, outreach and youth programs for the past three years.
"This is really where we all kind of gather. This is our kitchen table. This is where everybody comes to have a good time but also to be informed," she said.
Over the years, thousands of dollars have been able to go toward the community.
"It's really rewarding to see our funds well spent and to return tax dollars back into the community," Morris said.
But now, that money is drying up, and the community center is looking for ways to keep those new programs running.
"I think we've been granted almost $30,000 worth of funds to use for our events out here," Ejhinger said. "I'm hoping that the city of Toledo and city council and the mayor will come up with funds to continue to provide these funds, not only for Point Place and Friendship Park Community Center, for all the city."
Morris says the community center is important, and without funding, is unable to sustain the programs created with the ARPA funding.
"This was a great infusion into our community. The problem is at the end of the day, the funds do run out. And so, while we have created and had these successful and remarkable programs here, now we have to try and find out how we can pick these programs to continue on," Morris said.
Morris and Ejhinger said that they hope the future will be filled with funding for the community center, and that the locals and people in Point Place will continue to be able to enjoy its services.