Successful block party to continue | News, Sports, Jobs

BLOCK PARTY A SUCCESS — Attendees at Wednesday’s block party at the Sycamore Youth Center included (from left): Bobbyjon Bauman, executive director of the Sycamore Youth Center; artists Jasmine Wooden, Lawrence Lewis, Jeff Tyler and Gene Shelby; and Rebekah Cohen Morris, executive director of the AIM Women’s Center. — Collaboration

STEUBENVILLE — The Sycamore Youth Center hosted its first-ever Summer Block Party on Wednesday, featuring two local nonprofits.

Although weather forced the event indoors, about 300 community members attended, said Bobbyjon Bauman, executive director of the Sycamore Youth Center.

Bauman explained that this was the center’s first meeting with the AIM Women’s Center, during which they spent the evening together, having fun, tasting a variety of foods, and connecting with other participants.

Thanks to the collaboration between the two centers, officials were able to make the necessary changes to make the event indoors. The block party was originally scheduled to be held outside at the AIM Women’s Center, according to its executive director, Rebecca Cohen Morris. Bauman noted that the event was a “huge success,” with attendees eating about 400 hot dogs and 150 hamburgers.

According to contestant Cookie West, Morris and Bauman made a great team.

West said the collaboration between the centers created a “picture of heaven,” summing up the evening.

The event was not only a testament to the community spirit, but also highlighted the generosity and teamwork that made it possible.

Planned activities included free face painting for children by the Sycamore Corps service group and a foam party hosted by Screwy Louie’s Party Rentals.

The featured artists were hip-hop artists JR Lawrence Lewis of Steubenville, CBE 180 of Weirton and MoTruth of Pittsburgh, as well as Jasmine Wooden of Steubenville, who is a three-time winner of Valley’s Got Talent. She auditioned in the miscellaneous category of the pantomime performance competition.

Bauman said attendees were pleased with the performances and the evening was “filled with exceptional entertainment.”

The organizations will hold another block party in October. The duo said they hope to hold four block parties each year, one for each season.

“This is a fantastic way to engage with the community and show our commitment to enriching the lives of our youth and families,” Bauman concluded.

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