Shenango Valley Initiative will hold a public meeting at 7 p.m. next Thursday at St. Joseph Church, Sharon.

Issues to be discussed include jobs, housing, regional consolidation and strategies for equitable funding.

SVI hopes to attract 1,000 people to the meeting and generate a consensus for community advocacy.

Formed in 1995, SVI is a faith-based, nonprofit organization made up of people from local churches. Its goal is to promote an acceptable quality of life for valley residents.

Meeting organizing committee members are the Rev. Christopher Merry and the Rev. Wilbert Hadden.

SVI's president is Dr. Thomas Hawkins, and vice president is Ellie Pope.