Neighborhoods

Thursday, October 2, 2014

YNDC is proud to announce the publishing of its third quarterly performance report of 2014!

The performance report highlights the work of YNDC over the third quarter of 2014. An electronic copy can be downloaded below.

Monday, October 6, 2014

On Saturday, October 4th, residents and community volunteers cleaned up five vacant homes in the Powerstown neighborhood on the southeast side of Youngstown.

This event was coordinated by the Powerstown Action Team, a committee of residents and stakeholders aimed at improving conditions and quality of life in the Powerstown neighborhood by implementing the Powerstown Neighborhood Action Plan. This is the second community workday that the Team planned this year, to include the clean up of a total of 14 vacant homes in the neighborhood between the two events. Groups represented on the Powerstown Action Team include the 7th Ward Citizens' Coalition, the Powerstown Block Watch, The City of Youngstown, the Mahoning County Land Bank, and YNDC. Lunch was sponsored by Sherry DeMar of DeMar Realty. Green Youngstown provided the R.U.B.Y. tool trailer, gloves, water, trash bags, and tire removal for the event.

Participants at the event included residents from the neighborhood, students from Youngstown State University's YSUScape community service club, and YNDC's AmeriCorps REVITALIZE Team. Over 40 cubic yards of blight were removed and 3 of the 5 homes were boarded and secured. The work of the Powerstown Action Team will continue throughout the winter and additional community projects are planned for the Spring of 2015.

The Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation (YNDC) is hoping a new loan program will help get more families into their forever homes and help revitalize local neighborhoods at the same time.

One year ago, Jonathan Ellis never dreamed his family would own their own home today. Ellis said they were looking for a house to raise their children in and make memories.

They found the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation’s Community Loan Fund program and after a lot of hard work, they moved into their new home in August.

The program teams up with families who wouldn’t qualify for a traditional bank loan and helps them get their finances in shape. They build a savings account, improve their credit score, and learn about budgeting. Then, they qualify for a YNDC house.

“We just don’t want homeowners. We want healthy homeowners that are in great homes that they can afford and maintain over time,” said YNDC Housing Director Tiffany Sokol.

In three years, YNDC’s program has had a 100 percent success rate. Sokol said no one has defaulted on their loan.

With a track record like that, Cortland Banks stepped in when they heard funding for the program was running short. The bank will underwrite the loans and new homeowners will go through all the same financial counseling with YNDC.

“It means everything. It is just such a phenomenal blessing,” Ellis said. “We are so grateful first and foremost to God and secondly to YNDC for allowing this dream of ours to take form.”

It took the Ellis family 10 months to get into their new home. Ellis said if he can do it, anyone can.

“Go after it. Follow it. Just try. Worst case scenario is you don’t obtain it right away but with time and effort you can,” Ellis said.

To read the full story from WKBN, click here. 

The Ohio Community Development Corporation Association named Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp. as CDC of the Year at its 30th annual conference at the Crowne Plaza here. The two-day gathering, which ends today, drew 250 community development leaders from throughout the state under the theme, “Re-Inventing Our Communities.”

“This year’s award winners inspire us all to step up our revitalization efforts,” said Nate Coffman, executive director of the Ohio CDC Association, the organization that serves community development entities throughout the Buckeye State “Their dedication and hard work give us an example to follow,” he said in a prepared statement. “On behalf of the board of trustees and our members, we congratulate them for their outstanding achievements.”

The award to YNDC was one of seven presented ny the association.

The association cited YNDC for its successful strategies in the Idora neighborhood and others in Youngstown to curb outmigration, improve safety, increase community pride and cohesiveness and promote reinvestment in neighborhoods in decline.

The association also noted that by the end of 2014 YNDC will have rehabilitated more than 25 houses, which is the same number YNDC completed between 2010 and 2013. Its Iron Roots Urban Farm is a 1.7-acre urban farm with a community kitchen that hosts microenterprise development training courses for food-based entrepreneurs. It also conducts cooking classes to teach residents how to prepare inexpensive meals by using fresh, healthful foods.

YNDC was also recognized for its increased efforts to encourage home ownership through its community loan fund. Last year, it began providing professional neighborhood planning services in behalf of the city of Youngstown. These services encompass the development and execution of a citywide strategy that address the challenges low-income neighborhood face.

To read the full story from the Business Journal, click here. 

Three Cincinnati-based community development leaders have received statewide awards for their role in helping to transform once-blighted neighborhoods in the Tri-State through economic initiatives.

A fourth trophy went to an organization that supports small business development in Butler County.

The Ohio CDC Association (OCDCA) on Friday announced its 2014 Member Awards during the organization's 30th annual conference at the Crowne Plaza in Dayton, Ohio. The two-day gathering, Oct. 9-10, convened 250 community development leaders from around Ohio under the theme, "Re-Inventing Our Communities."

In total seven awards were handed out, three of which went to individuals who work in Cincinnati communities.

Diane Vakharia with Price Hill Will received the CDC Staff Member of the Year award, while Fred Orth with the Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation walked away with CDC Community Leader of the Year award.

Cornerstone Corporation for Shared Equity's Rob Sheil took home the Stephanie J. Bevens Award, which honors the "entrepreneurial spirit and a strong advocate on behalf of low- to moderate income people."

The prize is given in honor of a long-time OCDCA Board Member and director of micro-enterprise programs at Pike County Community Action who was known for being a tireless advocate on behalf of low-income entrepreneurs.

OCDCA gave distinction to the Butler County Small Business Development Center as the CDC Partner of the Year.

The overall CDC of the Year award went to the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation. Other awards went to the Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Cleveland – Cleveland CityLIFT (CDC Project of the Year) and Hal Keller from Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing (Ned D. Neuhausel Award)

“This year’s award winners inspire us all to step up our revitalization efforts,” said Nate Coffman, executive director of the Ohio CDC Association. “Their dedication and hard work give us examples of what’s possible in each of our communities. On behalf of the Board of Trustees and our members, we congratulate them for their outstanding achievements.”

The Ohio CDC Association is a statewide membership organization of community development corporations that engages in capacity building, advocacy and public policy development that fosters socially and economically healthy communities.

Below is additional information on the Cincinnati award winners and the organizations they represent:

Diana Vakharia, director of economic development for Price Hill Will

Vakharia works for Price Hill Will, which has six full-time and three part-time employees working on physical revitalization, commercial revitalization and community engagement in each of the Price Hill neighborhoods.

She is leading a neighborhood planning process, together with Xavier’s Community Building Institute, that has connected with local residents to renew the 10-year-old plan for Price Hill’s future.

Some 300 residents have been working over the past two months to identify key priorities for neighborhood revitalization, and to create a vision for how to make that happen.

Her co-workers also credit Vakharia for helping to lay the groundwork for current development by helping secure TIF districting in West Price Hill and the Entertainment District in East Price Hill, which has led to new businesses and stronger existing businesses.

Diana Vakharia, director of economic development for Price Hill Will

She's also collaborated on planning for commercial revitalization in these business districts by helping to strengthen the local business alliances in collaboration with their leadership. She also partnered with Launch Cincy to develop entrepreneurship classes, in both English and Spanish, to help residents start their own business.

Most recently she has devoted "countless hours" to developing an innovative microgreens and aquaponics company in Lower Price Hill. The goal is not only bring new business to the area but also introduce a unique co-op model that hires local people and provides continuing education and profit sharing for all employees.

As part of that, she worked with the city of Cincinnati to secure funding for the purchase and rehab of a building that will become their headquarters and growing site. She also secured funding for traffic and feasibility studies for a new commercial development in West Price Hill and the construction of a new park in East Price Hill.

Although her work is noteworthy and has helped invigorate the transformation efforts in Price Hill, her co-workers credit her for the way she goes about handling her business, Ken Smith, executive director of Price Hill Will.

“While the breadth and impact of her work has created significant improvement in the neighborhood, enhancing the lives of the 35,000 people who call Price Hill home, it is not just her accomplishments that led us to nominate Diana for this award,” Smith said.

“Diana comes to work every day with a smile on her face. No matter what deadlines are looming, what snags have popped up, and what stress she is facing, she remains calm, cheerful, upbeat and ready to roll up her sleeves to get the task at hand done. She is considerate of others, devoted to our work and gives selflessly of her time and energy. I can’t think of anyone who deserves this honor more.”

Fred Orth with the Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation

Co-workers describe Orth as a “tenacious voice” for the Walnut Hills community he has called home for more than 40 years.

In the early 1970s, he submitted a plan for the Gilbert Avenue Greenway, which was completed in 2010.

Fred Orth with the Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation

Without his determination, two very important and historic buildings -- the Hamilton House and Fire Company 16, which is the oldest remaining firehouse in Cincinnati -- would have been torn down.

Today, those buildings are a key part of the neighborhood’s revitalization.

Orth also worked for the city of Cincinnati for 30 years as an engineering technician, city planner, development analyst and development officer.

Rob Sheil, executive director at Cornerstone Corporation for Shared Equity

Sheil’s life work is to help people in need secure a way for low-income residents to build wealth and invest literally and figuratively into their communities. He does so through the Cornerstone Corporation, a nonprofit community development corporation located in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood.

The organization's mission is to expand economic opportunity for low-income households through Renter Equity, an innovative housing model that allows residents to play a role in management and maintenance of the properties Cornerstone manages and develops. The residents are able to build credits in a financial fund.

Requirements for the Shared Equity program are simple – engage in the community, do community service and pay rent on time. If participants need emergency assistance to ensure their rent is paid on time, they can borrow from their equity at low interest.

Within five years, they have $5,000 and within 10 years, they have $10,000.

Rob Sheil, executive director at Cornerstone Corporation for Shared Equity

“Rob is there mornings, evenings and weekends setting up a community garden, helping the residents find jobs and providing the support and guidance needed to ensure the success of this program,”said Patricia Garry, with the CDC Association of Greater Cincinnati. “His tireless effort is evident every day through the impact he has had on the community around him.”

Thanks largely to Sheil’s efforts, the Cornerstone Corporation for Shared Equity is also developing a building for the disabled that will be ready in two years.

Butler County Small Business Development Center

Supports to Encourage Low-Income Families (SELF) launched the Butler County Microenterprise and Microloan Program in 2011 with the help of the Butler County Small Business Development Center and other nonprofit community partners.

It's goal is to assist low- and moderate-income individuals in launching or growing a business, as well as increasing household income and spurring economic growth in the county.

Since then, 113 prospective entrepreneurs have enrolled in these trainings, leading to 31 new or expanded businesses. The organization takes pride in the fact 28 of them are still in operation and thriving. Eight microloans have been awarded so far.

SELF’s key partner is the Butler County Small Business Development Center (SBDC), which helps provide classroom training on small business topics and hands-on support for writing a business plan and completing a loan package.

“Dave Riggs and Mark Langford of the SBDC -- both experienced entrepreneurs and business owners themselves -- go above and beyond to teach, mentor and encourage our entrepreneurial clients,” says Jeffrey Diver, executive director of SELF. “They offer advice, a listening ear and their expertise—and help support our clients by buying local and encouraging others to support these micro businesses”.

To read the full story from WCPO, click here. 

Monday, October 13, 2014

On Saturday, October 11th, YNDC held a FREE comprehensive workshop for individuals interested in learning more about home ownership.

Nine residents participated in the 8-hour course held and YNDC, covering whether you are ready to buy a home, managing your money, understanding credit, obtaining a mortgage loan, and shopping for a home. All participants who stayed for the entire workshop received a Pre-Purchase Education Certificate of Completion.

The Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation has been named the community development corporation of the year by the Ohio Community Development Corporations Association.

The award was announced Friday at the association’s 2014 Member Awards during its 30th-annual conference at Crowne Plaza in Dayton where 250 community development leaders from throughout Ohio partook in the celebration.

Efforts by the YNDC to restore Idora and other Youngstown neighborhoods were recognized by the CDC. Noted were the strategies used to curb population decline, improve neighborhood safety and increase community pride.

Other initiatives the YNDC took on include the Iron Roots Urban Farm, a 1.7-acre urban agriculture facility, the rehabilitation of 25 homes in 2014, the increased use of the Community Loan Fund — 19 mortgages for low-to-moderate income households were provided ­— and the YNDC’s certification as a housing counselling agency.

A list of other initiatives taken on by the YNDC were also recognized.

To read the full story at Vindy.com, click here. 

The Junior League of Youngstown hosted its first meeting and training session for the 2014-2015 Provisional Members. Danielle Surko and Amy Banks, Provisional Committee co-chairwomen, led the group.

The provisional year provides opportunities to learn more about the community, train for volunteering and learn about the responsibilities of membership. The 2014-2015 Provisional Members are Bergan Giordani and Jennifer Gonda, both of Youngstown; JoAnn Sicafuse of Poland; Elizabeth Tencza of Boardman; and Sara Wenger of North Lima.

The next meeting is Tuesday at Iron Roots Farm, 820 Canfield Road. It is open to women of the Mahoning Valley. A social begins at 6 p.m. and the meeting, at 6:30. The speaker is Liberty Merrill from Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp. To attend, call the Junior League office at 330-743-3200

To read the full story at Vindy.com, click here. 

The Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp. isn’t even 5 years old and already has received state acknowledgment for its efforts in revitalizing the city.

“We have been able to evolve and grow and build a broad set of partnerships,” said Ian Beniston, executive director of the YNDC.

On Friday, the YNDC was named the community development corporation of the year by the Ohio Community Development Corporation Association. Five CDCs were nominated for this award. The Ohio CDC Association has 150 CDC members.

The award was announced at the association’s 2014 Member Awards during its 30th annual conference at Crowne Plaza in Dayton, where 250 community development leaders from throughout Ohio participated in the celebration.

Efforts by the YNDC to restore Idora and other Youngstown neighborhoods were recognized by the CDC. Noted were the strategies used to improve neighborhood safety, increase community pride and organize reinvestment in areas experiencing a sharp decline.

YNDC will have more than 25 homes rehabilitated in 2014, which is as many as the corporation completed from 2010 to 2013.

Also, within this past year, the YNDC increased the use of its community loan fund and provided 19 mortgages to low- to moderate-income households.

Additionally, the YNDC became certified this year as a housing counseling agency and received a comprehensive housing grant.

“This year’s award winners inspire us all to step up our revitalization efforts,” said Nate Coffman, executive director of the Ohio CDC Association. “Their dedication and hard work give us examples of what’s possible in each of our communities.”

Starting in November 2013, the YNDC started to provide professional neighborhood planning services for Youngstown.

“The city put significant trust in us,” Beniston said.

Also this year, the YNDC became an AmeriCorps VISTA project site with nine members and an AmeriCorps State project site with 10 members. YNDC also has two AmeriCorps VISTA summer associates and hosts an AmeriCorps NCCC Team.

Beniston said the award is just a great acknowledgment of what the YNDC team of about 40 people does.

“We have expanded our partnerships. We have engaged our neighborhood groups and assembled neighborhood action teams,” he said. “We hope to continue to push ourselves to a high level.”

To read the full story at Vindy.com, click here. 

It's been a couple of dominating weeks for Youngstown. As in state and world domination.

It began in mid-September with the announcement that the Youngstown Business Incubator had been named the #1 university-affiliated business incubator in the world. Yes, in the world.

YBI installs a new banner at its downtown campus declaring its world domination.

Photo: YBI.org

Meanwhile, at the Ohio Community Development Association annual conference this week in Dayton, the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation was named the 'Community Development Corporation of the Year'.

"That's high praise."

But as remarkable as the recognitions are themselves, perhaps what's as equally impressive is the time spans in which they were earned.

Around the year 2000, the leadership team at the Youngstown Business Incubator made a very controversial but important decision: they would focus support on business-to-business software companies exclusively.

While some thought this was too risky and narrow a focus in place like Youngstown, it proved to be a game changer. The YBI has grown from one building to a campus of nearly 6 and incubates 19 companies.

Within the campus resides YBI 'graduate' Turning Technologies which, only a few years ago, was rated as the fastest growing privately held software company in the nation and is now considered the industry leader in their field.

Turning Technologies' corporate headquarters in downtown Youngstown.

Photo: Bisiness Climate.com

On the southern end of the campus is the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute, a national research & development center dedicated to cutting-edge advancements in 3D printing.

NAMII headquarters in downtown Youngstown.

Photo: Defend Youngstown

It (and Youngstown, by extention) has received not one but two world-wide State Of The Union presidential shout-outs.

YNDC was founded in 2010 and was borne in part from the inspiration of the internationally-recognized Youngstown 2010 Plan as well as the necessity to create capacity and resources to implement it. A local organizing campaign around vacant property at the time helped to highlight the need as well.

YNDC is presented the Ohio 'Community Development Corporation of the Year' award in Dayton.

Photo: YNDC

With initial funding from the Raymond J. Wean Foundation, YNDC has grown from a staff of two and a budget of $200,000 to an organization with more than 40 staff and funding from over 50 sources both locally and nationally.

In only 4 short years, the organization has accomplished much:

Completed over 175 home repairs.

Rehabbed over 35 homes for sale to new home buyers.

Created a $1 million Community Loan Fund.

Repurposed nearly 300 vacant lots.

Created 70 construction jobs.

Redeveloped a 1.7 acre blighted property into an urban farm & training center.

Trained 45 at-risk young adults for new work skills.

Cleaned and boarded over 150 abandoned homes.

Completed 4 murals on Glenwood Avenue.

Completed 14 neighborhood plans throughout the city.

Engaged over 5,000 residents and volunteers in over 100 community projects.

And catalyzed over $13 million in reinvestment in Youngstown's neighborhoods.

Again, this was all accomplished in only YNDC's first 4 years.

While there's plenty of challenges in the city to address, it's pretty remarkable what these two organizations have been able to accomplish despite those challenges and in such a relatively short period of time.

And it's nice to see that the rest of humanity has begun to recognize the remarkableness of it as well.

If this is just the beginning, imagine what the years to come may bring.

To read the full story from Defend Youngstown, click here.