Lynell Dawson describes herself as a “Buckeye person” since 1980. Originally from Chicago, she has been a homeowner and landlord in the Buckeye neighborhood for decades and currently works as a therapist for Ohio Guidestone. She has also been quietly giving back to the community since 2000, when her own commitment to sobriety sparked a desire to help others — specifically in the areas of mental health, addiction and recovery.
With the new Woodhill Station West housing development visible from her front yard, she is keenly aware of the disruption and expectations around the multi-year Woodhill-Buckeye Choice Neighborhood Initiative (Woodhill-Buckeye CNI), which has torn down the former Woodhill Homes and has completed three of eight phases of new construction. Ms. Lynell was inspired to “do something” when a meeting with fellow Street Captains left her with a sense that her neighbors needed more support during the transition into their new homes.
“Just because we relocate people doesn’t mean the issues they had are gone away,” said Ms. Lynell, referring to the history of trauma and mistrust of systems experienced by many Woodhill residents. In response, she reached out to a partner and developed an 8-week community enrichment program “Together We Can,” set to begin September 2026, funded by the Resident Empowerment Fund. The program’s group curriculum focuses on skills such as resilience, self-esteem, and the importance of asking for help. She wants to destigmatize the need to have a support system, something she has noticed more reluctance for in recent years both professionally and personally.
Ms. Lynell has also recently joined the Steering Committee for Woodhill-Buckeye CNI, a community-based governance group that informs and provides oversight of the initiative.
Recently, NP3 founder and director Mark Joseph connected with Ms. Lynell to learn about her reflections on the community change efforts in which she is taking increasing leadership. Excerpts from that conversation are highlighted below:
How long have you lived on Steinway?
I have lived on Steinway since 2009.
How did you get involved as a Street Captain?
I think someone was knocking on doors nearby and a neighbor told them they should talk to me, probably because I’m always doing something. I feel that my role as a Street Captain is to be an example of a good neighbor; provide information about things happening in our neighborhood; to have a voice about new and upcoming events; to be a steward for making change, not just by talking — but putting action in to try to make a difference; also trying to implement positive change. This is what I understand the role to be and why I have come to take the position seriously.
Tell us more about your ideas and hopes for your enrichment project.
My career and skills that I offer is the passion that I continue to carry daily whether I am at work or in the community. I learned how to meet individuals where they are, and being empathetic to others and their struggles. While I work in a field to assist individuals with addiction and mental health issues, my job does not stop when I step from my office, it continues until I put my head on my pillow. The work that I do is a passion. My hope is to plant seeds, seeds of hope, to overcome and live with resilience, to spread the word that I am more than what has happened to me, and individuals can heal from the inside out. My life experiences have given me an obligation and a duty to reach out to those who are willing to see things differently and develop skills to address life’s stressors. What I provide will never be enough, especially since so much has been given to me.
How do you think about the process of sharing and shifting power?
Well, I am praying that we identify who has the greatest power to make positive changes in my community and in the City. It operates more efficiently and with the cooperation and dedication of others makes that possible. It is making a difference especially by spreading the news that we as neighbors have the power to make positive changes, that we have a voice and a chance to make a positive difference. My role in others’ lives is healing, nurturing, assisting, encouraging, and advocating for those who don’t know a way out, that others have walked in their shoes and that they don’t have to do anything alone again. I see my neighborhood making a shift for the better, and we need to keep going in the right direction we are doing right now. What can be done better is promoting more, getting the news out of what our goals are and identifying what other goals are to have a more thriving community.
My future goal is to have a safe house fully staffed to assist and help others who have experienced intimate partner violence. I think it is so important that a place be available and could make not only a difference but save lives.
What do you find most fulfilling about your community leadership?
I get an opportunity to see some of the results, hear how I and others have made an impact, allowing others to come out stronger, healthier and more positive about living a successful life.
What do you find most challenging about this work?
What makes this most challenging is that some individuals have lost hope, but there are also those who refuse to give up. And I feel that everyone is worth the effort.
What lessons have you learned so far?
One of the lessons that I’ve learned is that some people are ignorant to the struggles of their neighbors. And the community will continue to struggle if we aren’t willing to take a stand, which means roll up our sleeves and help others, find out what their struggles are and be willing to help in any capacity we can.