Neighborhoods

At its March meeting, the Raymond John Wean Foundation board of directors approved $2.4 million of grants to four organizations to support community revitalization, economic opportunity, and public and civic sector leadership in the Mahoning Valley. The organizations that received grants are:

• Bridgeway Capital, in support of its Mahoning Valley operations over two years.

Founded in 1990, Bridgeway Capital is a Pittsburgh-based community development financial institution (CDFI) that seeks to combat injustices and advance opportunities by building small-business and nonprofit capacity, investing capital in low-income areas and supporting underserved entrepreneurs.

Bridgeway opened a Mahoning Valley office two years ago and has closed 14 loans totaling $6.2 million, delivered business accelerator programs and built strong community partners through sponsorships, collaborations and events. Ensuring support to historically underfunded minorities, including black borrowers, remains a priority in its lending practices. More than half of the organization’s total lending capital in fiscal year 2025 supported enterprises led by people of color.

• Economic Action Group for two years of operating funds in support of small business and talent development initiatives seeking to advance equitable growth and long-term community resilience. Founded in 2013, EAG bridges grassroots efforts and anchor institutions to address long-standing capacity gaps in regional revitalization. EAG employs strategies that combine capital-readiness education (i.e., business planning, startup expenses and budget development), workforce training tied to visible redevelopment (i.e., collaborative internship placements) and policy coordination to reduce fragmentation.

• Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership for general operating support over two years. TNP’s mission is to empower residents through programming and projects that improve the quality of life in Warren neighborhoods.

TNP’s work spans a range of activities, including home renovations and emergency repairs; collaborative strategies that address neighborhood conditions, systems change and equity; capacity-building and technical assistance for grassroots and neighborhood-based organizations; and the convening and facilitation of cross-sector, resident-informed initiatives.

TNP also operates the Trumbull County Land Bank and has led the demolition and rehabilitation of vacant properties in Warren. Last year marked the first year TNP ventured into new construction, with the development of four homes on the former Emerson Elementary School site.

• Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp. (YNDC) for general operating support over two years. YNDC is a community development organization dedicated to stabilizing neighborhoods, expanding access to quality affordability housing and advancing resident-centered revitalization in the city of Youngstown.

To read the full article from Tribune Chronicle, click here.

Tuesday, March 24, 2026

Bryce has lived in the Youngstown area for the majority of his life, and he says it’s the sense of community and Youngstown’s rich culture that have kept him here. After years of renting, Bryce felt it was time to start looking for a home that he could buy.

When he started his search, architecture and location were at the forefront of his mind. “I’m really big into Tudor homes. I’m really big into the cultural architecture of the area. It is very unique. You see a lot of that right by Lanterman’s Mill,” Bryce said. After touring a few homes, his approach started to change. “I looked at a lot of older homes, probably a dozen or so. The maintenance required for those and just the age that comes with that type of house wasn’t feasible to sink that kind of money into,” he said.

Bryce is a big fan of Mill Creek MetroParks, so staying close to the park was important. That’s when Bryce’s Realtor introduced him to YNDC’s homes, specifically two newly constructed homes on Mineral Springs Avenue. The location, the purchase incentives, and YNDC’s program made his decision easy. “These homes are beautiful,” Bryce said. “We toured the home down the street and then popped into this one. We viewed this home and then I think I put my offer in the next day.”

He was unaware of YNDC before purchasing his home but now has an appreciation for its work in the community. “It is so nice to see Glenwood as a whole getting revitalized,” he said.

He is also a part of YNDC’s free HUD-approved housing counseling program, which he says is beneficial for first-time homebuyers. “Every question is valid. It is exactly what you need to balance the ideals of buying a home, learning the process, and then the burdens that come with buying a home. It is the niceties but it’s also the real stuff, you know, you’re paying for gas, electric, water, and trash. It is all that,” Bryce said.

Since moving in, he has referred multiple friends to check out YNDC homes. “I have recommended [YNDC] to a lot of my friends. Some were on the tours with me for the homes. I would love to see more people getting into the [YNDC program], especially people who care about the local community, who are local, and work locally. I really want to see Youngstown become what it was again.”

The Glenwood Neighbors Business Association is meeting Thursday, April 16th at 5 P.M. at the Youngstown Playhouse. 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 surrounding neighborhoods on Youngstown’s Southside.

At the April meeting, Glenwood Neighbors will discuss upcoming corridor projects and strategies for growing the coalition. City staff and elected officials are also invited. Individuals and organizations tied to Glenwood Neighbor’s mission are invited to attend.

Monday, March 30, 2026

The Western Reserve Health Foundation awarded YNDC a $20,000 grant for neighborhood improvement projects. This work will focus on blocks with new housing development or major renovation projects underway or planned in the near term. Neighborhood improvements will include replacing broken and failing sidewalks, removing dead and dying street trees, planting new street trees, implementing a community safety program, and other targeted improvements. Thank you to the Western Reserve Health Foundation for the support!

A small grassy lot in Alliance, anchored by a towering backhoe, was ready for new construction.

To a group of people gathered March 31 for a groundbreaking at 727 Milner St., it was no ordinary event. It symbolized hope and renewal in the city's Ward 2.

The area is blighted.

"This is wonderful," said Mayor Andy Grove. "This is just another step in what's been our plan for the last 2½ years to get affordable housing in Alliance."

Rev. Raymont Johnson of the Family Matters Resource Center in Alliance gives a blessing March 31, 2026, during a Build Ohio groundbreaking ceremony at 727 Milner St. in Alliance.
Build Ohio Neighborhoods Inc., a North Canton nonprofit, plans to build 10 high-quality homes for families in 2026 in the Freedom neighborhood, which includes Milner Street. More will be built in 2027 and 2028. All of them will be on the market for sale.

The Milner address is the first build.

The houses will cost between $150,000 and $160,000, after down-payment subsidies.

Don Ackerman, president of Build Ohio, said the houses will come with property tax credits and qualified buyers can get up to $70,000 in down-payment assistance. He also said the houses cannot become rentals for at least three years. Investors and landlords are not eligible to buy them.

The Greater Alliance Foundation; Grove Appliance Charitable Fund; Joseph and Charlotte Mastroianni Family Charitable Fund; Geraldine Burnell Brotsman Charitable Fund; the Tolerton Family; John F. Peters and Madge P. Peters Charitable Fund; and the city have donated to the project.

Ackerman also said he is seeking additional grant dollars for more construction.

Build Ohio is a joint venture between Canton For All People and the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation.

To read the full article from The Repository, click here.

The Mercy Health Foundation Mahoning Valley will host its inaugural Impact Dinner at Stambaugh Auditorium on April 8.

This year’s event will feature a seated dinner, annual report presentation and the recognition of the 2026 Visionary Award winners.

This event is to celebrate the impact the Foundation has had over the past year and celebrate all that has been accomplished through donor and volunteer generosity.

“The transformative generosity of our donors serves as the cornerstone of our work in the Mahoning Valley, proving that when we invest together, we create a healthier, more resilient community,” said Paul Homick Jr. JD, president of Mercy Health Foundation Mahoning Valley.

The Visionary Awards recognize individuals who make a profound impact in the community in the spirit and mission inspired by the Sisters of the Humility of Mary since 1911, when Mercy Health-St. Elizabeth Hospital opened its doors.

Stories of three inspiring awardees who, in their everyday lives, provide an example of the mission to extend the compassionate ministry of Jesus, of their visionary leadership in helping make the Mahoning Valley a healthier place and of their exceptional stewardship of the resources provided by the Mercy Health Foundation Mahoning Valley, will be shared during the event.

• Leadership in Health Award — Dr. Ronald Rhodes, chief academic officer, Mercy Health-Lorain and Youngstown.

• Heart of the Mission Award — St. Elizabeth Youngstown and Boardman Hospitals Auxiliary.

• Continuing the Legacy Award — Ian Beniston, executive director, Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation.

To read the full article from the Tribune Chronicle, click here.

Thursday, April 2, 2026

YNDC has completed the first phase of its cottage court development on Pearce Avenue. A cottage court is a housing development featuring a group of small, detached dwellings arranged around a central, shared common green or courtyard. YNDC worked with the City of Youngstown to change the zoning to Planned Development Overlay to allow for the cottage court style development.

Phase 1 included renovating three existing cottages constructed in 1926 that likely housed workers for the former Idora Park amusement park. The renovation is complete and the units are now available for lease. The first phase of the project was funded with support from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh's Affordable Housing Program. PNC Bank served as the member bank. YNDC served as the general contractor for the project.

The second phase will include constructing three new homes similar in design to the existing homes that also front a common greenspace. Construction on the homes is anticipated to begin later this year.

The City of Youngstown also supported repaving Pearce Avenue and funding sidewalk replacement along Pearce and Parkview Avenues.

More information on Phase 2 will be available in the coming months. 
 

Monday, April 6, 2026

The William Swanston Charitable Fund awarded YNDC a $15,000 grant for neighborhood improvement projects. This work will focus on blocks with new housing development or major renovation projects underway or planned in the near term. Neighborhood improvements will include replacing broken and failing sidewalks, removing dead and dying street trees, planting new street trees, implementing a community safety program, and other targeted improvements. Big thanks to the William Swanston Charitable Fund for the support!

A new housing rehabilitation program is underway in Sharon thanks to $1.4 million in grants awarded to the city as a result of a partnership with the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp.

To read the full article from The Herald, click here.

Monday, April 6, 2026

The City of Sharon is proud to announce a new partnership with the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation (YNDC) to launch a comprehensive housing rehabilitation initiative aimed at strengthening neighborhoods and improving housing conditions for residents. The program will focus on rehabilitating owner-occupied homes while also developing a comprehensive neighborhood plan to guide future investment and revitalization efforts throughout the community.

Funding for the initiative represents a significant collaborative investment totaling more than $1.4 million. The City of Sharon will contribute $200,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and $400,000 through the Pennsylvania HOME Program. In addition, YNDC has secured $342,000 through the Pennsylvania Neighborhood Assistance Program (PA NAP) and $500,000 from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York to support housing rehabilitation and neighborhood planning efforts.

Together, these resources will allow YNDC to work directly with homeowners to improve housing conditions, preserve existing homes, and support long-term neighborhood stability in Sharon. “This partnership represents a significant investment in the future of our neighborhoods,” said Robert Fiscus, City Manager of Sharon. “By working with the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation and leveraging multiple funding sources, we are able to provide meaningful support to homeowners while also developing a strategic neighborhood plan that will guide revitalization efforts for years to come.”

YNDC has extensive experience in neighborhood revitalization, housing rehabilitation, and community planning across the region. Through this collaboration, Sharon residents will benefit from both direct home improvements and a broader vision for sustainable neighborhood development.

If you are interested in learning more about home repair in the City of Sharon, Pennsylvania, please contact YNDC at 330.480.0423.