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Archive - Article 48
Compassion Cincinnati Declares War On Inner City Poverty
9/20/02
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Dr. John
D. Nichols, Pastor Ron Martin and the Central Parkway congregation
gather for the formal opening of compassion Cincinnati
facilities. |
After weeks of planning and meeting with city officials, Operation
Compassion has opened its heart and doors to the inner city of
Cincinnati, OH through Compassion Cincinnati which was birth
by the congregation of Central Parkway Church of God. Under the
leadership of Dr. John D. Nichols, President of Operation Compassion,
David Lorency, International Field Director for Operation Compassion
and Pastor Ron Martin, Director of Compassion Cincinnati, the
maligned inner city will receive the help and hope it desperately
needs.
After the groundbreaking and formal opening of Compassion Cincinnati
facilities, Dr. Nichols declared, “The war on poverty in
Cincinnati, Ohio has just begun. Through this marriage of resources,
the families of this inner city will be lifted out of their poverty!” Nichols
continued, “While the alleviation of poverty is a daunting
task, today we have taken the first step. Tomorrow we will take
the second step until there is no more war to wage.”
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Compassion
Cincinnati Block Party
was a blow-out.
|
For several years, Pastor Ron Martin and the Central Parkway
Church of God have been committed to a ministry that meets the
needs of the inner city of Cincinnati, which sits at their doorstep.
Even though the riots and burning of many inner city buildings
came within blocks of the church, they kept doing all they could
for the people who faced the hopelessness of poverty and need.
When asked why he would continue to help those who would riot
and burn the city, Ron Martin stated, “The riots were a reaction
to the circumstances most inner city people face. It was a way
of crying for help! When you don’t have a job, food, clothing
or adequate housing for your family and hopelessness sets in, people
will react. Some steal, others use and sell drugs, still others,
which is the vast majority, will try every legal way they can to
get a job and support their families, until it becomes hopeless.
The riots were an expression of hopelessness for the inner city
of Cincinnati.”
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Two neighborhood
children enjoy Compassion Cincinnati block party.
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However, a new day dawned for the people of Cincinnati! During
June 2002, Compassion Cincinnati was born. A new building was
purchased and remodeled by the congregation of Central Parkway
which will serve as the hub of activity in alleviating the suffering
and hurting. A downtown city park that had been abandoned was
cleaned and beautified for the block party and hundreds of neighbors
came to enjoy a festive and carefree day. There were toys and
rides for the children and games for all ages. Hot dogs and hamburgers
were prepared and everyone ate until full. At the end of the
day, food boxes were distributed to families.
Since the initial opening of Compassion Cincinnati, many other
events have also been undertaken. A back-to-school bash provided
binders, paper, pens and pencils, markers and many of the necessary
supplies to help children get a good start in school. Private schools
from the inner city were invited to participate. At the same time,
there was a back-to-school bash for Hispanic inner city private
schools as well. Everyone received an abundance of school supplies
including the teachers and school administrators.
Shortly after Compassion Cincinnati became operational, it was
named and given a charter to serve the inner city as a Share Compassion
Food Co-Op. Now, Compassion Cincinnati is not only helping individual
families but also other agencies, churches and organizations that
are helping wage this war on poverty.
According to David Lorency, “This is one more link in the
war Operation Compassion is waging on poverty in America. No one
agency, organization or church can do it alone. It takes everyone!” Lorency
continued, “With the opening of Compassion Cincinnati, Operation
Compassion now has three Compassion America cities working to better
the lives of men, women and children struggling with the challenges
of inner city life.”
Tim Burdashaw
Communications Coordinator
Anyone interested in donating finances or products or providing
a corporate lead may contact:
Operation Compassion
David Lorency, President
114 Stuart Road, NE
Suite 370
Cleveland, TN 37312
423.728.3932 - Office
423.596.4200 - Fax
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