Neighborhoods

Monday, April 17, 2023. 

On April 14, the First National Bank Community Foundation awarded YNDC with a $15,000 grant to support YNDC's housing programs including housing counseling and emergency repair.

The Housing Counseling Program empowers low- to moderate-income residents to identify and overcome barriers to homeownership, including inadequate savings, income, credit history, and understanding of the home buying process, and prepare them for future homeownership; and to provide existing low- to moderate-income homeowners with resources to maximize their limited incomes and minimize repair costs so that they can avoid foreclosure and improve their living conditions. The emergency home repair program assists low-income homeowners with emergencies such as furnace and plumbing repairs at no cost.

Many thanks to the First National Bank Community Foundation for their continued support!

Tuesday, April 18, 2023. 

On April 17, Direction Home of Eastern Ohio awarded YNDC with $91,609 for home maintenance.

These funds will be used for critical home repairs including: furnaces, hot water tanks, and ramps.

Many thanks to Direction Home for the continued support!

Sara Palowitz is the Owner-Occupied Home Repair Project Coordinator for the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation. Under the supervision of the Owner-Occupied Home Repair Program Director, Sara collaborates with a team of professional staff to implement YNDC's Owner-Occupied Home Repair program including the coordination of projects from start to finish.

Contact Sara at spalowitz@yndc.org

Wednesday, April 19, 2023. 

Janet has lived in her home since 2006. 

Located in a tight knit neighborhood where everyone knows each other, she says, “our neighborhood is the greatest neighborhood.” By replacing Janet's roof, YNDC eliminated severe leaks that were causing damage throughout her home and prevented further deterioration, allowing Janet and her disabled husband to remain in the neighborhood where they have made their home for the past 17 years. Janet is her husband's caregiver and is grateful to no longer have to worry about leaks every time it rains. 

The Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation is in the process of planting more trees around the city. 

On Wednesday, we found them on Sherwood Avenue in the Idora neighborhood. They planted three trees on a lot where a house once stood. It’s part of YNDC’s TreeCorp program. A total of 250 trees will be planted — 138 now and another 112 in the fall.

To read the full story from WKBN, click here. 

The Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation is in the process of planting more trees around the city. 

On Wednesday, we found them on Sherwood Avenue in the Idora neighborhood. They planted three trees on a lot where a house once stood. It’s part of YNDC’s TreeCorp program. A total of 250 trees will be planted — 138 now and another 112 in the fall.

To read the full story from WYTV, click here. 

At the Youngstown Botanical Garden, Eric Jones took the things that he loves; landscaping, planning and design; and created a space where he can share his passions with the youth in the community.

Eric’s father is an avid gardener and the father and son duo have been partners in the project from the very beginning. Eric hopes to attract motivated young people to the garden, located on West Indianola Avenue in Youngstown. He plans to host classes, workshops, events, and parties.  

The garden has four priorities: to educate, motivate, congratulate, and celebrate. Through education, young people will become motivated. They can discover their passions, develop and achieve goals, experience success, and celebrate their successes. 

Purchased in 2010, the property has developed into an impressive garden, with significant meaning in every piece of the land. For Eric, family is his priority.  “This is all for my boys” he said. He wants to leave a lasting legacy for future generations. Each section of the garden holds personal meaning and has been intentionally crafted with plants that embody symbolism of connection to the community and connection to God. Every section of the garden has its own story. Each plant is thoughtfully chosen and placed in a specific area with intention. 

The entire project holds great spiritual significance for Eric. “This is my expression of God’s love.” Thyme is an overall theme throughout the garden, with abundant patches of of thyme varieties scattered throughout each section. “You have to take the time, you have to set aside the time, and sacrifice the time to create this space.” He hopes the garden will be a place of exploration, serenity, creativity, and connection. 

Officials with the City of Youngstown have been talking about their trees. 

City council created a new Climate Change, Environment and Sustainable Technology Committee, and a meeting was held earlier this month about removing the dead and unwanted one. 

On a recent sunny afternoon on Youngstown’s Sherwood Avenue, Lola Lewis was helping a crew of the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation plant three American Beech trees on a vacant lot.

To read the full story from WKBN, click here. 

Monday, April 24, 2023.

On Thursday, April 20, YNDC hosted representatives from multiple Cleveland and Akron community development corporations including: Famicos Foundation, The Well CDC, Old Brooklyn CDC, Northwest Neighborhoods CDC, Lakewood Alive, Ohio City Inc., Slavic Village Development, and Cleveland Neighborhood Progress.

YNDC's partner organization Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership also participated, as well as the Ohio CDC Association. YNDC shared information on its organizational structure, planning, and programs and provided a project tour. The exchange provided the attendees with an opportunity to network and learn from one another. YNDC looks forward to more collaborative events and organizing in the future. 

Monday, April 24, 2023.

On Thursday, April 20, the Citizens Bank awarded YNDC with a $10,000 grant for Housing Counseling. 

The Housing Counseling Program empowers low- to moderate-income residents to identify and overcome barriers to homeownership, including inadequate savings, income, credit history, and understanding of the home buying process, and prepares them for future homeownership; and provides existing low- to moderate-income homeowners with resources to maximize their limited incomes and minimize repair costs so that they can avoid foreclosure and improve their living conditions.

Thank you to Citizens Bank for their support!