East Dayton neighborhoods have been in a period of transition for the past 20 years.  Once a thriving population of proud families of Appalachian heritage, the area is now home to Latino families and Ahiska Turk families, as well as African American families who share their heritage with white Appalachian families who remain in the community.   Neighborhood leaders and residents have welcomed newcomers to inner east Dayton, and we all cherish the diversity.  Ruskin Neighborhood School is one of the most diversely populated elementary schools in the City. 

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East End works hard with the school and neighborhood leaders to build a sense of community pride and identity among all our residents, particularly through our ‘Food Access Resiliency Enterprise” (aka FARE) which is teaching our community members to grow their own food, purchase and prepare nutritious food, and address some of the food insecurity issues that come with low family incomes. 

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Unfortunately, our neighborhood remains challenged by the drug epidemic, which is destroying families and impacting our children’s futures.  East Dayton accounts for a disproportionate share of overdose fatalities in Montgomery County.

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East End has been a leader in drug prevention initiatives in east Dayton, and is one of the founders of a partnership that now includes the Police Department, Fire Department and certified peer supporters who reach out to drug users to encourage them to seek treatment and recovery.  This program has been remarkedly successful in connecting people struggling with addiction to access treatment and progress through recovery.