Mission Statement

The Bay Area Neighborhood Council (BANC) continually hosts many events and programs throughout the year.  With the coming of 2025 and beyond, BANC has positioned itself to continually provide events and programs for seniors. Moving forward, BANC will be providing more events focused on youth and children as well.

BANC has presented many events focused on Health & Wellness. One ongoing event that has grown in participation is the weekly “Chair Aerobics” sessions, for seniors and others who have a need to exercise and meditate to music and instruction from Tracey Thomas, in a safe, healthy, and fun atmosphere. 

Currently we offer classes for moms-to-be and new moms, under our Maternal Health Program, working with Dr. Lucinda Canty PhD and certified Nurse/Midwife. BANC is looking to address all aspects of maternal health (physical and emotional), during pregnancy and postpartum.

Periodically, BANC hosts presenters such as MOCHA (Men Of Color Health Awareness), who are champions of men’s health. Also, Dr. Doris Harris advocates on behalf of women’s health, youth wellness, and self care. Throughout the year, BANC partners with the Black Springfield COVID-19 Coalition, advocating for vaccination and safe practices in the war against COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, as they impact the Black and Brown community. Vaccinations are available at most COVID-related events. All people are welcome.

All of these events brings something to our community that fosters good spirits, good health, and building community between individuals who would otherwise not even know their next door neighbor.

BANC holds an annual Community Resources Fair & Cookout, that offers awareness of important resources that are available for residents of the Bay Area, as well as an opportunity for vendors to showcase their goods. Music and free food (fresh off the grill), is plentiful. Again, another event that promotes fostering community between residents.

BANC also conducts an annual winter coat drive and giveaway for children in the Bay Area neighborhood.  In December 2023, BANC, again, gave away more than 50 winter coats to boys and girls from the Bay Area community.

Monthly, BANC sponsors two events on alternating Friday evenings; 1) Game Night where people come together and play Pokeno, Spades, and/or Bingo, and share in  light snacks and music; and 2) Line Dancing instruction and participation. 

In 2023, BANC started offering computer training classes where at the end of the program, individuals were able to keep the chrome books they were learning on.

BANC also hosts other organizations' events.

As a resource center, BANC has started making information available for residents that may serve some of their needs. BANC intends to increase the amount of information to be made available; Sharing information between the City and our residents.

Sometime in 2025, BANC will again, begin publishing a newsletter to the residents of the Bay Area Neighborhood. This will be published quarterly, and distributed throughout the neighborhood based on the number of volunteers available at that time. The newsletter will also be available on this website.