New program aims to build community in Skeels, McElrath neighborhoods

When two visionaries meet, stand back. In this instance, the flying sparks gave life to Community Recess, a new recreational outlet for children and adults in Ravenna township’s Skeels and McElrath neighborhoods.

Community Recess is the brainchild of self-described social entrepreneur Aaron Mitchell, a longtime Portage County resident who met community navigator Frank Hairston at a 2024 Ravenna schools levy forum. Mitchell was there because his children attend Ravenna schools. Hairston was there because he’s, well, everywhere.

Sidelined from the workforce by a heart attack and long COVID, Mitchell said he found purpose in giving back to the community he calls home. He started Beloved Community in 2020, aligning its community-building endeavors with the McElrath Improvement Corporation (M.I.C.). 

Community Recess followed in July 2025, but laying the groundwork for a successful program took careful planning.

“He explained to me what Beloved Community was, and he said, ‘You know, Mr. Hairston, one of the things we’re looking for is a ballfield because we want to do kickball,’” Hairston recalled. “And I looked at him, and I said, ‘Young man, I got a ballfield for you.’ So that’s how we started off.”

An arm of Beloved Community, Community Recess is meant to gently help individuals and families build their sense of community, secure needed resources and unleash their community spirit. Participants can strengthen family ties, increase their confidence and experience personal growth.

Thanks to Hairston’s ties with Axess Family Services and King Kennedy Community Center Director Myia Sanders, Community Recess can use the King Kennedy gym at 6660 Garfield Rd. Otherwise, leagues practice and play at the two M.I.C. ballfields on Beatrice Mitchell Boulevard.

Eying the carefully maintained ballfields and concession stand, M.I.C. President Rich Jones said that once people notice things happening there, they will get more involved.

“It is a dream that Miss Mitchell put out there, so we’re just trying to keep the dream alive and keep it going,” he said, referring to the late community champion Bea Mitchell.

Recreational kickball, flag football, basketball and dodgeball leagues are open to children aged 6 and up. Upon request, arts and crafts activities, special events and celebrations are open to children and adults of all ages.

Parents can participate with their kids or may volunteer as coaches or mentors. Teens can serve as assistant coaches and provide peer support to children and individuals with disabilities, Mitchell said.

“We’re also looking into the possibility of having chess and checkers because there are some kids who are not athletic, but there might be other things that they might want to do,” Hairston said.

Youth and adults required to complete community, volunteer or court-mandated service may participate as coaches, groundskeepers or referees. They are recommended by the court, and Mitchell further vets each candidate.

“The people that we have coming for our community service are parents. They are people in transition looking to change their life and put their life back on the right track,” Mitchell said. “We help them with building their resumes, help them with identifying positions or places in the community that may be hiring, help them with that transition.”

Knowing that some people aren’t qualified to be around children, Mitchell steers them to non-kid activities: community beautification projects, maintaining community gardens, and managing and distributing donated clothing and household appliances.

Everyone is monitored, and those who complete their required hours—whether in person or online—receive certificates that help them transition back into the community. Mitchell also helps those hoping to rebuild their lives with links to food assistance, housing recommendations and more.

“Once they complete their community service hours, they’re in a better position to obtain employment or have a better quality of life moving forward, basically getting redemption for themselves, as well as having the support to move forward,” he said.

Hairston characterized the M.I.C.-Beloved Community partnership as a match made in heaven.

“It was like God sent us this way because it’s the right place in the right field for what we’re trying to do on the grand scale of things,” he said. “It’s so important to M.I.C. that Beatrice Mitchell and others over the years who worked defending the McElrath community to take it to another level.”

To sign up for any Community Recess program, visit www.23belovedcommunity.com, select a sport and complete the registration form. Participants will be expected to attend an orientation session to meet teammates, learn the rules and receive essential scheduling information.

Though all of Community Recess’s programs are free, there are costs: uniforms, equipment and snacks. M.I.C. is accepting community sponsors at a variety of levels. Visit www.23belovedcommunity.com or send a check payable to McElreth Improvement Corp., 6677 Garfield Rd., Ravenna, OH 44266.