The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Direct Action warms up with tea
Direct Action for Central Lorain had their first Afternoon Tea as a large group with many visitors from Lorain County Feb. 10 at First Baptist Church, 1510 Cooper Foster Park Road in Lorain.
A fundraiser that included warm tea and treats brought many into the church’s hall on the frigid February afternoon.
Performers such as The Little Disciples, a group of young girls, entertained and danced to gospel music while Rev. Monique M. Greenfield of St. Matthew United Methodist Church in Cleveland shared scriptures from the Bible.
Direct Action, a community development corporation and nonprofit, focuses on improving Central Lorain and its surrounding communities through economic development, affordable housing, youth development and partnerships with other organizations, Executive Director Theresa Wootten said.
To raise money on the improvement of not only central Lorain, but the entire city, Direct Action holds fundraisers that bring members of the community together as they discuss and celebrate the group’s goals, she said.
Funds from an event such as the tea, go to the upkeep of their properties to provide good living spaces at an affordable price for others, Wootten said.
Help from the community is what keeps the nonprofit going, she said.
They also partner with other organizations for fundraisers such as Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club, Lorain sports teams, Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority and PACE — Promoting Achievement through Community Education.
PACE previously assisted Direct Action in moving their location from Washington Avenue to 506 Broadway Ave., Wootten said.
Because of PACE and their help, Wootten asked for the help of the Lorain youth group again for their great efforts, she said.
By having members of the volunteer group help serve and attend to guests, “it’s teaching them how a nonprofit runs and how to get out in the community and help by being hands on,” Wootten said.
Mike Ferrer, the program director, said PACE is a group of young adults who can relate to each other and work together. He said it teaches them life lessons and how to help others in need while becoming responsible, young adults.
Ferrer said many members in PACE were more than happy to help Wootten and learn what a tea was like.
“This is a chance to help and experience something new,” he said.
Greenfield, who shared verses from Proverbs in the Bible, said she wanted to show a room full of people that it’s important to try to keep troubles in the world outside of your heart while keeping Gods word planted there.
She said everyone needs God’s word as that rock to stand upon.
The verse relates to Direct Action’s mission to create a better life in their community, she said.
Wootten said it’s a nice thing to come together and listen to inspirational words. She added she would like to make the event an annual one.
Guests and frequent attendees of Direct Action events, Michaelle Montgomery of Elyria and Doris Rogers of Lorain said they enjoy getting ready for something like a tea during the weekend.
Rogers said bringing people together for tea is a good reason to dress up and go out on a Saturday rather than shopping all day.