Neighborhoods

A not-for-profit health system in Youngstown celebrated honorees on Wednesday during its 2026 Visionary Awards.

The Mercy Health Foundation Mahoning Valley spent time recognizing Valley residents who have made an impact in the community and embody the spirit of the foundation’s founders.

Awards were given during the inaugural Impact Dinner at Stambaugh Auditorium.

“We are honored to be presenting to the community the impact that the Mercy Health Foundation Mahoning Valley makes,” Paul Homick Jr., president of Mercy Health Foundation Mahoning Valley, said. “We are here to honor three healthcare leaders and those that make a tremendous impact in the community.”

Honorees included:

Leadership in Health Award - Chief Academic Officer Dr. Ronald Rhodes, Mercy Health, Lorain and Youngstown

Heart of the Mission Award - Mercy Health, St. Elizabeth Youngstown and Boardman Hospitals Auxiliary

Continuing the Legacy Award - Executive Director Ian Beniston, Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation 

To read the full article from WFMY, click here.

The third installment of the Youngstown Grit series, titled “Resilience,” will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. April 15 at the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County’s Main Library.

The public forum will focus on how resilience and efforts to reclaim Youngstown’s identity have prepared the community for current challenges and helped shape a path forward.

The discussion will be moderated by Tim Seman, genealogy and local history librarian at the PLYMC, and will feature Ian Beniston, executive director of the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp.; Mayor Derrick McDowell; and state Rep. Lauren McNally, D-58th.

To read the full article from The Business Journal, click here.

Monday, April 13, 2026

YNDC Executive Director, Ian Beniston, accepted the Continuing the Legacy Award on behalf of YNDC at the Inaugural Mercy Health Foundation Impact Dinner and Visionary Awards at Stambaugh Auditorium. 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 St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital opened its doors. The awardees 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 Mercy Health Foundation Mahoning Valley. Thank you to the Mercy Health Foundation of the Mahoning Valley for the recognition! 

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

The City of Struthers and YNDC have broken ground on eight new homes. The project includes four models of homes: two one-story and two, two-story models. All homes will have at least three bedrooms, two bathrooms, an open concept living, kitchen, and dining area, first floor laundry room, front porch, and two-car garage.

This project is made possible by a grant award to the City of Struthers Land Reutilization program from the Ohio Department of Development’s Welcome Home Ohio grant program. The vacant lots were assembled by the City of Struthers and Mahoning County Land Banks. Eden Haven Housing Development Group provided predevelopment support to the project. The builder is Joe Koch Construction. The sites are as follows:
1. 90 Center Street
2. 165 Sexton Street
3. 363 Sexton Street
4. 371 Sexton Street
5. 78 Prospect Street
6. 43 Narcissa Avenue
7. 16 E. Haywood Boulevard
8. 434 8th Street

Tuesday morning, the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation (YNDC) put shovel to sand where eight new homes will soon stand.

To read the full article from WKBN, click here.

The Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation (YNDC) and the City of Struthers are partnering to break ground on eight new homes within the city.

To read the full article from WFMJ, click here.

 New housing is coming to Struthers, aimed at tackling a growing need for affordable homes.

City leaders and the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation broke ground Tuesday on two new single-family homes on Sexton Street.

To read the full article from WKBN, click here.

New housing is coming to Struthers, aimed at tackling a growing need for affordable homes.

City leaders and the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation broke ground Tuesday on two new single-family homes on Sexton Street.

To read the full article from WYTV, click here.

Eight new houses are ready to be added to Struthers after the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation’s successful groundbreaking ceremony.

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

The city doesn’t have much available land, so it’s working with the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp. to “spot build” houses to meet the need for affordable homes.

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