YOUNGSTOWN — Ron Carlos has suffered his share of loss in recent years, but he’s committed to using that to produce gains for his community.

“I’m trying to get this going. I’m dedicated to picking up where he left off,” said Carlos, referring to his late father, Thomas Eugene Hilton, who died in 2017 before being able to open a small neighborhood grocery store.

Providing an anchor for helping Carlos achieve his ambition of opening Gene’s Market Inc. at 2304 Hillman St. on the South Side was Sunday’s outdoor market on a parcel next to the building that will house the store.

The four-hour gathering was part of the Mahoning Valley Community Store initiative, in conjunction with the Mahoning and Trumbull County Food Access coordinators who work with small business owners to incorporate a variety of fresh foods into their inventories. The effort is aimed at addressing the lack of access to fresh, healthful foods in some neighborhoods.

“This area needs a change. My dad tried to do something different and I’m trying to fulfill his dreams,” Carlos added.

The store has several shelves and coolers in place, and its specialties will be fresh fruits, vegetables and dairy products, Carlos said, adding that he hopes to open in about six months after the building undergoes an inspection.

The open market was the kickoff to helping Carlos “in developing his overall game plan” so that he can provide healthful food selections to neighborhood residents who are not near a full-service grocery store, noted Carmella Williams, director of the Micro Enterprise Grant program, which assists the Mahoning County food access coordinator.

“This is a community store, because (Carlos’) mission is community-driven,” said Sophia Buggs, the Mahoning Food Access coordinator.

A diverse group of vendors took part in Sunday’s outdoor market, including Cleveland-based Perfectly Imperfect Produce, which provided an array of lettuce and other fresh items. The business donates produce to those in need and delivers it to their homes, as well as recipes to their inboxes, its website says.

In addition to making healthful foods readily available to people, attaining wellness also means prioritizing self-care via maintaining a balance between one’s physical, mental and emotional well-being, said Shannon Blackstone, who owns Her Primitive Ways in Youngstown.

“We’re always busy taking care of other people that we forget to take care of ourselves,” said Blackstone, who brought to the outdoor market an assortment of balms, teas, scented beeswax and gemstone candles, body oils, facial cleansers and smudge sticks, which contain an herb to cleanse part of a person’s body or space, such as a room.

Before the pandemic, she conducted a series of wellness-based workshops, said Blackstone, who added that natural plants also can be used to uplift, inspire and calm people while helping them reduce their stress levels.

Also on hand was the Liberty-based Oak Street Health agency, established in 2019 to offer a slew of services and resources that include getting health care coverage to those who need it, explained Jessica Jones, outreach director.

The agency also provides transportation to doctor’s appointments for people who live within a seven-mile radius of the Liberty Plaza, helps them navigate through the Medicare system to find the proper plans and finds them access to insurance agents, Jones said. In addition, Oak Street Health has free Medicare education, fitness and computer-training classes, as well as health-education events.

Another integral part of maintaining health in the community is ensuring people receive regular eye exams, noted Kristin Moncrief, an optician with Toledo-based Optigo Mobile Vision.

“Vision is a part of total wellness,” said Moncrief, formerly of Youngstown. “Our mission is to get people to take care of their vision like the rest of health care needs.”

One’s vision — especially those who suffer from diabetes — can vary greatly in a matter of months, so it’s imperative they get their eyes checked regularly, she continued.

Also at the outdoor market was United Returning Citizens, which helps former inmates acclimate to re-entering society. In addition, the event offered a free seed giveaway and plants for children to help them learn gardening techniques and recipes.