Toledo, Ohio, August 17, 2023 — Greater Toledo Community Foundation (GTCF) is excited to announce, as part of its 50th anniversary celebration, it will be sponsoring a major Roofing Project, a Rock the Block event and a Community Party in support of the revitalization efforts in the Old South End.
First, the Roofing Project is a collaborative effort among Greater Toledo Community Foundation, Habitat for Humanity and Historic South Initiative. Funds from individual donors, government grants and in-kind donations will be used to support the project. During August and September, an estimated 20-25 roofs will be replaced, at no cost to homeowners in the Old South End, as well as two in the Old West End neighborhood.
Second, on Saturday, August 19th, GTCF will sponsor a Rock the Block event that will take place at properties along South Avenue between Broadway and Sumner Street and will also include work at the Sofia Quintero Art and Cultural Center and Ashley Park. Rock the Blocks are a one-day event that brings people together to lift up a neighborhood and celebrate community. Volunteers will gather to complete projects like cleaning up parks, brush trimming, planting flowers, and light exterior repair projects.
Volunteers from Greater Toledo Community Foundation, Lourdes University, and Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity will support the project by working in the neighborhood from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Volunteer registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Marshall STEMM Academy, 415 Colburn Street.
Finally, after Rock the Block, the entire community is invited to celebrate from 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Golden Rule Park (500 Crittenden) for a FREE party that includes food, fun, and resources for the family. Also, Argentine American artist and sculptor Cecilia Lueza, who has been commissioned to create the artwork along the Broadway Mile, will be in attendance to discuss her work with the local community.
All are welcome to volunteer in the morning and join the after party—both events are family friendly.
“Preserving homes, and creating vibrant livable neighborhoods, is critical work that needs to be done in our community,” said Michael McIntyre, executive director of Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity. “We are proud to work alongside the Greater Toledo Community Foundation and the Historic South Initiative who are ensuring revitalization continues in South Toledo and across the entire city. Street by street, block by block, this impactful work makes such a difference.”
“We are incredibly grateful for the partnership and support shown by Greater Toledo Community Foundation in bringing these projects to Old South End. This collaboration exemplifies the true spirit of community and demonstrates how we can achieve remarkable impact when we unite for a common cause,” stated Carl Wagner, president of the Board of Historic South Initiative. “Together, we are empowering the residents of this underserved neighborhood to build a foundation of hope and opportunity, providing them with the tools to transform their lives for the better. We are hopeful that this collaboration among Greater Toledo Community Foundation, Habitat for Humanity and Historic South Initiative will inspire others to join us in our mission to uplift and revitalize the Old South End community, one project at a time.”
“Greater Toledo Community Foundation firmly believes that access to safe and decent housing is a fundamental human right, and it is our responsibility to support communities in need. We are excited about this partnership with Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity and Historic South Initiative as, together, we aim to create transformative change and empower families to build a brighter future for themselves,” said Keith Burwell, president of Greater Toledo Community Foundation. “By working together, we can break the cycle of poverty and help cultivate thriving neighborhoods where every individual can flourish.”
For more information, please visit https://50yearsfortoledo.com/.
About “Fifty Years of Funding Futures”
“Fifty Years of Funding Futures” is the 50th-anniversary campaign for Greater Toledo Community Foundation (GTCF). Through its five decades of service, GTCF has been trusted to distribute more than $310 million in grants to Toledo area nonprofits and beyond. GTCF now holds more than 950 funds and approximately $435 million in assets with the goal of creating a better community for generations to come.
Through a yearlong campaign, GTCF’s “Fifty Years of Funding Futures” will deliver meaningful communications, events and programs centering on honoring the past, celebrating the present and equipping future generations for continued community impact. For more information, visit 50YearsForToledo.com.
About Greater Toledo Community Foundation
Greater Toledo Community Foundation is the largest philanthropic organization serving the Toledo region, including northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan with a particular emphasis on the greater Toledo area. Since 1973, Greater Toledo Community Foundation has worked with individuals, families and businesses, assisting them in making effective choices that match their philanthropic interests and needs while creating a better community for generations to come. For more information, visit toledocf.org/.
About Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity
Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity (MVHFH) works in Lucas County to fulfill Habitat for Humanity’s vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. MVHFH’s Homeownership program creates opportunities for affordable homeownership by building and selling homes with a 0% interest mortgage to qualified Habitat homebuyers. MVHFH’s Home Preservation programs, focused on the neighborhoods of East Toledo, Englewood, Junction
and South Toledo, help qualifying homeowners replace roofs, abate lead, and bring homes to current code standards.
Learn more at mvhabitat.org.
About Historic South Initiative
Historic South Initiative develops bold, long-term, measurable strategies and facilitates partnerships to promote the ongoing development of a vibrant, thriving neighborhood in Toledo’s Old South End. The Historic South Initiative consists of four major efforts: rehabilitation of housing, primary and adult education, augmentation of community services, and creation of jobs and employment opportunities.
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