REACHING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY — A community block party took place on the green space located at the corner of Fifth and North streets Thursday afternoon. Organized by the Sycamore Youth Center and Aim Women’s Center, the party was the first of four community outreach events planned for the year. Those involved included, from left, Rebekah Cohen Morris, executive director of Aim; Evan Conn, Cooper Crowe, Lexa Davis, Quinn Alloggia, Harper Kurner, Averie Deah, Lynzee Ensell and Bobbyjon Bauman, executive director of the Sycamore Youth Center. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — More than 400 area residents descended upon the green space located at the corner of North and Fifth streets Thursday afternoon, as two local nonprofit organizations came together to host a free community block party.

The Sycamore Youth Center and Aim Women’s Center joined forces to offer adults, teenagers and children the opportunity to share in family-fun activities, including listening to live performances by area musical artists, free food, face painting, games and various activities. The block party created an atmosphere in which people from diverse backgrounds could gather and share in the spirit of joy and community.

“A lot of times, people who aren’t coming together from different walks of life can find a place here — at this party — to hang out, to talk, to fellowship with one another,” exclaimed Bobbyjon Bauman, executive director of the Sycamore center. “It’s really a sign of unity — this is what the whole thing is all about.”

Rebekah Cohen Morris, executive director of the Aim Women’s Center, emphasized the importance of nonprofit collaboration in the downtown area. “We think it’s really important that the nonprofits in downtown Steubenville collaborate and work together,” she stated. “We have a lot of shared clients, so having events where everyone can get together and learn about the different services we offer is really important.”

Cooper Crowe, who performed during the event, expressed his love for music and community engagement. “Any opportunity I get to play, I just do it because I love to do it,” he shared.

Attendees not only enjoyed the day’s entertainment, they learned more about the various outreach services offered by the organizations, which serve hundreds of youth and families across the Ohio Valley each week.

Mistress of ceremonies Skylar Sobansky helped lead the day’s festivities.

Thursday’s celebration was the first in a series of four community outreach events planned for this year, Bauman noted, with the next scheduled to take place later this summer.

The Sycamore Youth and Aim Women’s centers expressed their continued commitment to fostering hope, connection and service through these collaborative efforts.

For information regarding events or ways in which you can get involved, visit the website sycamorecenter.com.