Neighborhoods

Community groups from around the Valley are coming together this spring to help paint the homes of some elderly, low-income Youngstown residents.

The homes that will be painted on Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22 will be from each side of the city.

"Operation Paint Brush is uniting groups from across the Youngstown community to help improve the quality of life for elderly, disadvantaged residents," said Jon Howell, who is the organizer and sponsor of the event.

"My wife and I are bringing together organizations that might not typically work together to do something outside of their ordinary element.

Some 200 volunteers including civic and community organizations, contractors, government entities, the United Way, Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation, Boys & Girls Club of Youngstown, various groups from Youngstown State University and dozens of local churches will all take part.

Operation Paint Brush is still in need of painting supplies, including paint brushes, drop cloths, scrapers and pails.

For more information, or to get involved, contact Jon Howell at 309-826-5136 or jonl_howell_873@comcast.net.

To read the whole story from WFMJ, click here. 

Monday, April 4, 2016

YNDC is seeking a summer VISTA candidate to support Iron Roots Urban Farm.

The summer VISTA will work hands-on at the farm, participating in all aspects of farm and market operations. Activities will include planting, weeding, harvesting, assisting with farm programming, and helping out at the Idora Neighborhood Farmers' Market. Applicants should be comfortable with working outdoors in all weather conditions.The position will run for 10 weeks starting the week of June 6th, and the successful applicant will receive a living stipend and education award at the end of the 10 weeks.

All applications will be taken online and can be accessed here. 

Please contact Liberty Merrill at 330.480.0423 with questions about this position.

Monday, April 4, 2016

YNDC is joining more than thirty Youngstown-area organizations to paint the homes of several Youngstown residents onSaturday, May 21.

Operation Paint Brush, set to take place on Saturday, May 21 is a grassroots community outreach event that will bring together more than 200 volunteers including civic and community organizations, contractors, the City of Youngstown, Youngstown Police Department, the United Way of Youngstown and Mahoning Valley, Boys & Girls Club of Youngstown, various groups from Youngstown State University and multiple churches.

“Operation Paint Brush is uniting groups from across ourYoungstown community to help improve the quality of life for elderly, disadvantaged residents,” said Jon Howell, who is the organizer and sponsor of Operation Paint Brush. “My wife and I are bringing together organizations that might not typically work together to do something outside of their ordinary element.”

If you are interested in volunteering for the event, please contact Tiffany at YNDC at 330.480.0423.

Monday, April 4, 2016

YNDC is proud to announce the publishing of its 1st quarterly performance report of 2016!

The performance report highlights the work of YNDC over the 1st quarter. An electronic copy can be downloaded below.

The Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation received a donation worth $50,000 from Talmer Bank and Trust.

According to a news release from YNDC, the bank will provide a real estate owned property valued at $25,000, a $25,000 grant and Talmer team members who will volunteer their time to help support YNDC's financial literacy and neighborhood stabilization programs.

Since 2009, YNDC has implemented neighborhood revitalization programs, resulting in more than $15 million in reinvestment in Youngstown neighborhoods. YNDC offers a broad range of programs, leading comprehensive neighborhood stabilization efforts citywide.

The donated property at 1543 Canfield Road will be rehabilitated by YNDC's construction team before being sold to a new homeowner.

The release said Talmer Bank employees will also help teach financial literacy classes, assist with neighborhood cleanup efforts and help new homebuyers become qualified for mortgages.

To read the whole story from WFMJ, please click here. 

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

On Monday, April 4, 2016, Talmer Bank awarded a $25,000 grant to support YNDC's housing programs and donated 1543 Canfield Road to YNDC so it can be renovated and sold to a homeowner.

Talmer has also committed to volunteer at YNDC events and provide the donation of additional REO properties.

“YNDC is grateful for Talmer Bank’s willingness to expand our partnership on multiple fronts,” said Tiffany Sokol, Housing Director of YNDC. “Talmer Bank is relatively new to the Youngstown market, and we are impressed with the bank’s enthusiasm and eagerness to make an impact in the City of Youngstown, as well as their sensitivity to the needs of the community as evidenced by their REO and grant donations. We look forward to getting even more work done this year as a result of Talmer’s growing investment in our efforts.”

“Talmer Bank is excited to support YNDC initiatives to revitalize neighborhoods, help stabilize the community and improve the quality of life for Youngstown residents,” said Mark Wenick, executive managing director/regional president – Mahoning Valley. “As a company, Talmer Bank has partnered with neighborhoods in Detroit and other areas so we fully understand that neighborhood revitalization is not the responsibility of one individual or organization. So we look forward to rolling up our sleeves with YNDC to help make an impact in Youngstown.”

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

On April 5, 2016, Mayor John McNally celebrated AmeriCorps Recognition Day by providing a Proclamation of Support for National Service Members to honor their service to the City of Youngstown.

The event was held at the Wick Park Pavilion in Youngstown and attended by YNDC's AmeriCorps REVITALIZE team, AmeriCorps VISTAs, Americorps NCCC Maple 3 team, and AmeriCorps members serving at other locations throughout Mahoning County. Please join us in celebrating the service of and congratulating all the AmeriCorps members that serve Youngstown.

Talmer Bank and Trust will donate $50,000 to Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp. in support of its efforts to revitalize Youngstown neighborhoods, Mark Wenick, regional president of the bank, announced Monday.

The bank will provide a property it repossessed at 1543 Canfield Road valued at $25,000 and $25,000 in cash. In addition, employees of the bank will volunteer their time in support of YNDC’s financial literacy and neighborhood stabilization programs.

“YNDC is grateful for Talmer Bank’s willingness to expand our partnership,” said Tiffany Sokol, housing director of YNDC, in a statement. “Talmer Bank is relatively new to the Youngstown market and we are impressed with the bank’s enthusiasm and eagerness to make an impact in Youngstown. We look forward to getting even more work done this year as a result of Talmer’s growing investment in our efforts.”

Since 2009, YNDC has worked with a growing number of partners to transform Youngstown neighborhoods, Sokol said, implementing a broad array of revitalization programs. These efforts have resulted in more than $15 million spent on improving the quality of life in those neighborhoods.

YNDC’s in-house construction team will rehabilitate the property at 1543 Canfield Road before it’s sold to a new homeowner. The property, neglected several years, “is an eyesore to neighbors and those travelling the Route 62 corridor,” Sokol said.

Talmer Bank employees are eager to help teach financial literacy classes, help with neighborhood cleanup efforts and work with those who want to own their own residences so they qualify for mortgages, Wenick said.

To read the whole story from The Business Journal, please click here. 

The last two Saturdays in April are 422 Corridor Community workdays when the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber asks for volunteers to pitch in and clean up debris and board up vacant houses in the Brier Hill neighborhood and in Girard.

April 23 is the date for Brier Hill, April 30 for Girard.

The goal is furthering the transformation of U.S. Route 422 in Youngstown and Girard to “an attractive commercial and residential gateway” to both cities, a chamber spokeswoman says. Volunteers will “tackle blight removal [by] landscaping and beautification projects.”

Joining the chamber for Brier Hill are Youngstown Neighborhood Community Corp., the Youngstown State University Regional and Economic Development Initiative, YSUScape, the honors college at YSU, Green Youngstown and Mahoning County Young Professionals. At Girard, it’s Trumbull County commissioners, city of Girard, Jib Jab, Republic Waste and Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership.

For April 23, volunteers meet at 8:30 a.m. at the Brier Hill Cultural Center, 149 Jefferson Ave., and work their way along 422 through adjoining neighborhoods toward the Arlington Heights Recreation Center.

For April 30, volunteers meet at 8:30 a.m. at Stambaugh Park on Moser Road, Girard, and work their way from the park to 422.

At both, volunteers will be provided with tools, gloves and bags to deposit waste. Lunch will be provided afterward.

To volunteer, call Lauren Johnson at the chamber, 330 744 2131, ext. 16, or email her at Lauren@regionalchamber.com.

To read the whole story from The Business Journal, click here. 

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

On Saturday, April 2nd, Students from Youngstown State University and members of AmeriCorps NCCC Team Maple 3 worked together to board up and clean up 20 vacant homes on Glenaven Avenue in the Fosterville neighborhood on Youngstown's South Side.

A tractor trailer of brush and two dumpsters full of of trash and debris were removed from the neighborhood. Over 600 illegally dumped tires were collected from the lawns and garages of these vacant homes. The event was planned and coordinated by AmeriCorps VISTAs Sarah Conkle and Anika Jacobs. AmeriCorps VISTA Frank Elling also assisted with volunteer recruitment and coordination for the event.

Special thanks to Pizza Hut for contributing pizza for the volunteers to support this event! REVITALIZE.