NewsChannel5's Building Better Neighborhoods to host live special, launches volunteer toolkit

CLEVELAND - NewsChannel5's Building Better Neighborhoods is now providing detailed information on how residents can take action in their neighborhoods with an online volunteer toolkit.

The volunteer toolkit contains pages and pages of information on how to volunteer in your neighborhood, and make it safer, cleaner and more economically vibrant.

There’s a five-step quick start guide on how to organize your neighborhood and create neighborhood committees.

The volunteer tool kit takes you through the process of identifying neighborhood problems, and helps residents establish key contacts and resources in an effort to find solutions.

You’ll also find information on how establish a community maintenance plan with your neighbors.

Meanwhile NewsChannel5 will air it's second Building Better Neighborhoods live special, as part of it's on-going effort to help improve northeast Ohio communities.

The broadcast will air on NewsChannel5 Thursday from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., and will include extended coverage, streaming live here on newsnet5.com from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

NewsChannel5 anchors Danita Harris and Chris Flanagan will host lawmakers on the city, state and federal level in studio, while including housing experts and a live audience from two remote locations.

The Building Better Neighborhoods special will give northeast Ohio homeowners the opportunity to discuss issues facing their neighborhoods, and engage with local leaders, in the search for solutions.

Cleveland Housing Court Judge Ray Pianka will part of our live panel, and will answer questions on how to deal with vacant homes.  Residents can find critical information on the court's on-line Vacant Property Research Toolkit.

Thursday's NewsChannel5 special is another component in giving residents a voice, fostering solutions, and neighborhood activism.

Residents are encouraged to be part of two live audiences during the broadcast held at Lincoln West High School auditorium, 3202 West 30 St. in Cleveland or the Eastman Branch of the Cleveland Public Library, 11602 Lorain Ave. in Cleveland.

NewsChannel5 is also trying to spark neighborhood involvement by residents, who volunteer to make a difference when it comes to vacant and condemned properties. We're inviting residents to report nuisance properties through our Building Better Neighborhood initiative.

Just send us pictures and information on vacant homes in your neighborhood and we'll forward the information to your city building department, in an effort to move the properties to progress.

We are also giving residents information on how they can volunteer in their neighborhoods to make them better. Those interested in starting a volunteer effort in their neighborhood should contact Hands on Northeast Ohio for more information.