Meet ystark! YP: Sarah Taylor Peck

Name	Sarah Taylor Peck
Occupation/Title/Place of work	Senior Pastor, Community Christian Church
Age	38
Why are you interested in Stark County’s Young Professionals initiative?	Stark County is the perfect place for young professionals. Our community is affordable yet hip. And we need more young people choosing to live here, choosing to work here, and choosing to build up our community here.
What would you share to encourage other people to join?	The network of young, innovative, creative people who have decided to work, play and stay in Stark County inspires me. Getting to know the next generation of Stark County leadership gives me hope that our community is getting stronger and more dynamic every day. The more connections and bridges we can build with young professionals in the area will only help strengthen our community more.
Did you grow up in Stark? If so, where? If not, where did you move from and why?	I grew up in Spokane, Washington. I went to college in Minnesota, Graduate School in Boston, worked my first job in Memphis, but as soon as I was hired to work in Stark County, I knew I would stay. After living all across the country, I love the sense of community, the focus on arts and culture, and people I have met here.
Why do you stay in Stark County, from both a personal and professional point of view?	I may not be from Stark County, but my children are. This is home. This is where they were born. We love Stark Parks. We love the Palace theater. We love the restaurants here- especially Table Six and Bombay Sitar. We love our work. My husband and I each serve churches in Stark County, and through our ministry we have met so many sincere, earnest, and wonderful people who live here. Stark County is home.
What do you like MOST about Stark County?	My favorite thing about Stark County is the sense of community. Hints of the great people who live here can be found in the unique art downtown, the lingering conversations at the 720 Market and Farmer's Market, and the turnout for community events.
What would you change about Stark County if you could?	I would love to see all of the vacant properties in downtown Canton and the old Hoover factory in North Canton full again. I see so many great leaders in our community working on these efforts, and look forward to seeing it unfold.
What do you see as valuable opportunities for YPs in Stark County when it comes to career opportunities, cultural access, leadership or community involvement opportunities?	If you want to make a difference in a local community, those opportunities exist in Stark County. The network of professionals and visionaries is already established, and the possibilities for transformation and impact are endless.
What would attract more YPs to Stark County?	I think we all have a responsibility to get the word out about the opportunities in Stark County for young professionals. We are a hidden secret in the Midwest and if young professionals knew how many opportunities we have, we would see growth.
What do you do in the evenings or on the weekends for fun in Stark County or NE Ohio?	We love to swim in Meyers Lake, walk the trails of Stark Parks, eat out at our local restaurants and we especially love walking to Walkie Talkie Espresso and Coffee each weekend.
Could you see yourself spending your lifetime in Stark County and if not, what would cause you to leave?	Yes! We hope to stay, raise our kids here, and retire in Stark County!