Public communications studies majors, Natalie Davis and Elizabeth Gallagher, are conducting a campaign for the King Kennedy Community Center in Ravenna, Ohio. The King Kennedy Community Center is a nonprofit organization that is a safe haven for the Ravenna locals. The center acts as a tutoring facility, summer campground and drop-off center for non-perishable food items. It is a place for underprivileged community members to gather and feel secure.
Lajoyce Harris, the director for the King Kennedy Community Center, has been working for the center for three years. Harris conducts meetings with 5X students and is an active leader on the field with the summer camp children. One of her main goals as director was to build the bond between King Kennedy Community Center and 5X, again. Harris feels passionate about the children involved in the center and believes that she is aiding in changing the world.
“Touching one person’s life is changing their world,” she said.
Davis and Gallagher are hosting an Educational Social Hour with Harris. The event will take place at the 5X Alpha Phi Sorority house on Fraternity Circle on Nov. 19, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. The event is open to all who would like to learn more about the center. Davis and Gallagher will begin the presentation by explaining their campaign and Harris will speak about the King Kennedy Community Center and her many different roles. After the presentation Harris will be available to answer questions. The event is free of charge and complimentary snacks will be provided. Monetary donations will be expected and all money raised will assist the King Kennedy Community Center.
5X’s Greek community and Black United Students organization collaborated to build the King Kennedy Community Center in the early 1970s when Ravenna was named the worst neighborhood in America. Kent State students felt passionate about their local community and decided to campaign to change it. The center was open to the public in 1978 and since than has provided a safe haven to many in the community.
Find more information about the students' campaign on their .