Neighborhoods

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

On Tuesday, February 17, the Glenwood Neighbors Business Association hosted Mayor McDowell at its quarterly meeting.

The Mayor provided updates on several projects related to the greater Glenwood Avenue corridor and answered questions from the business owners.

The Glenwood Neighbors Business Association is a coalition of neighborhood leaders, business owners, and institutional stakeholders along Glenwood Avenue who work together to improve safety, quality of life, and generate economic opportunity along the corridor and in surrounding neighborhoods on Youngstown's Southside.

The coalition meets quarterly to discuss corridor improvements, share resources, and provide networking opportunities.

To join the mailing list for invites for upcoming meetings or learn about membership, please email gbna@yndc.org or call 330.480.0423.

YNDC is seeking candidates for a Marketing Assistant.

Under the supervision of the Marketing Coordinator, the Marketing Assistant will assist with the completion of routine photographic documentation and other tasks as assigned.

To apply, please send cover letter and resume to tsokol@yndc.org

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.

YNDC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION.

YNDC is seeking candidates for a Real Estate Development Administrative Assistant.

Under the supervision of the Housing Director, the Real Estate Development Administrative Assistant will assist with administration of YNDC’s Strategic Acquisition and Rehabilitation and New Construction housing programs.

To apply, please send cover letter and resume to tsokol@yndc.org

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.

YNDC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION.

For the past four years, Ashley has lived in rentals with her daughter and boyfriend. She knew rentals were temporary, and she wanted to own a home where her family could live comfortably. A little over a year ago, she tried to pursue homeownership but was denied pre-approval. “I was told that my credit score wasn't high enough.”

Ashley spent the next year working to improve her credit and explored different lending options. “I was approved through a different mortgage company, and I started looking at houses, and everything just started progressing a little bit more. Around November, I switched lenders again, and then everything became more solid. It just brought out, like, a lot of emotions,” Ashley said. “This is all I ever wanted for me and my girls — just our own place, something to call home. I'm from Maryland, and it costs too much money to live there. So to actually be able to buy a house here it means a lot.” 

Ashley had heard of YNDC through Catholic Charities, but it was her realtor who introduced her to the organization’s programs and the rehabilitated house with the yellow front door that would ultimately become her home. “When we found this house, he found out it was a YNDC house, and it just made it all better because you guys do beautiful homes and you make it real for people.” She loves bold colors, so when she saw that the front door was a bright yellow, she knew this was going to be her home. 

Ashley joined YNDC’s housing counseling program and works with the counselor to stick to her budget. “Alex helped me see where I was spending too much money and where I needed to put my money. I’ve done a lot better since hooking up with Alex and working on my budget because working on my budget got me here.” 

Since joining the counseling program, she recommends it to everyone, including her coworkers. “I work with a lot of girls, and we’re CNAs. All we want is a home because we take care of people, and we see that they no longer have a home. So, just talking with them about it and letting them know about the program, the house, and everything – they're excited. A couple of them took the information from me and actually looked into it.” 

-Ashley Tate, New Homeowner, Housing Counseling Client

Kismet has been homebound since a work injury left her recovering. She is a welder, but she was hit by a forklift while working. After months spent still recovering, warmer seasons turned into colder ones, and Kismet’s furnace wasn’t working while she was spending more time at home. 

It was Kismet’s sibling who informed her that YNDC may be able to assist her with her broken furnace. Kismet has been living in her home for eight years, but her furnace has not worked properly for nearly two winters. To stay warm on cold nights, Kismet used four space heaters throughout her house. She was unaware of how dangerous it was to heat her home with multiple space heaters. Since she hasn’t been able to work, Kismet contacted YNDC and qualified for the Owner-Occupied Home Repair program. One of YNDC’s housing project inspectors came to look at her furnace and informed her that her furnace was over 30 years old. They no longer manufactured that specific furnace or the necessary part to repair it and it would need to be replaced.

She says overall, the replacement was quick and efficient. “[It took] eight hours. I was allowed to be here, sit, and cheer. They just went into the basement and did their work. I didn't have to go down there and do anything. It was easy.” 

In January, the City of Youngstown broke records for the longest stretch of cold temperatures below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Some of the coldest days were hovering at -10, breaking another record low for the area. However, YNDC was able to assist Kismet in getting her furnace before the storm and its intense cold, which she is grateful she avoided. “That was a big help, because I would’ve been in the house with the space heaters all day. [Doctors] don't want me driving, because I’m having a hard time turning [my head]. I would’ve been stuck in the house all day, and I would have froze. I appreciate you guys.” 

-Kismet Johnson, Owner-Occupied Home Repair Client

Janet became a Glenwood Fresh Market member about two years ago. She learned about the market through a friend in her neighborhood who was already a member. Janet’s friend told her the membership qualifications, and she qualified. After only a handful of visits to the market, Janet suffered a heart attack and could no longer make it to the market. 

Janet spent months physically recovering and wanted to focus even more on her health. Starting with continuing her membership at the Fresh Market. Rejoining the market was a priority for her because Janet said fruits and vegetables were hard to come by before her membership. “This is a blessing, getting fresh fruit and vegetables. I look forward to coming up here.” Because of the lack of access, Janet says she didn’t incorporate fresh produce into her meals for years. Janet said she wasn’t sure where to start. Thankfully, the market associates were more than willing to lend a hand. “I’ve learned a lot since coming up here and interacting with everybody. It’s a great thing up here, and all of them are so nice and helpful, too. Whenever you have a question or something, they always give you a direct answer.” 

It has been six months since rejoining, and Janet says she isn’t the only one benefiting from a more balanced diet. “I have [noticed a difference in my health] and my family, too. Now, they are able to go into the refrigerator and get fresh fruits and vegetables [to eat].” On top of the health and nutritional benefits, Janet says it's the sense of community at the market that makes her visits even more special. “Just coming up to see everybody and relating and talking to them. It’s real fun. Susan is an excellent cook. It always smells good when she is cooking.” 

-Janet Moody, Glenwood Fresh Market Member

Monday, March 2, 2026

Farmers National Bank awarded YNDC with a $8,000 grant to support YNDC’s housing programs. Thank you to Farmers National Bank for their ongoing support! 

Throughout 2025 and into this year, YNDC staff did door-to-door surveys of more than 2,430 households, particularly asking residents about Glenwood Avenue, released at the end of January.

To read the full article from Mahoning Matters, click here.

Tucked away in the Glenwood Corridor on Youngstown's South Side, Glenwood Grounds Cafe is serving up coffee and community at a discount.

"We're here to be a place of hope for the neighborhood, and to be able to help the neighborhood out. ... We are striving to keep the prices as low as we can," said Steve Sherhag, ministry assistant at Hope For Renewal.

The nonprofit Christian ministry opened the space on Glenwood Avenue in 2022. It's open every Tuesday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

In 2024, the national average price for a latte was $5.46, according to a study by point-of-sale system Toast. At Glenwood Grounds, the same kind of drink is currently available for just $2.50. Drip coffee, cold brew, chai and matcha are all also listed at below-average prices.

The affordable menu is made possible by low overhead costs, according to Sherhag, who said the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation helped Hope For Renewal buy its building on Glenwood Avenue in 2022.

To read the full article from WFMJ, click here.

Gary Franklin is the Chief Financial Officer for the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation. Under the supervision of the Executive Director, Gary is responsible for managing and completing organizational accounting and financial activity.