Neighborhoods

The stated central purpose of the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation is “to foster the transformation of vulnerable, undervalued and transitional neighborhoods into…places where people are willing to invest their time, energy and resources and where residents can manage their own problems.”

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

Daevon McDowell is a Grass Cutting and Clean Up Team Member for the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation. Daevon collaborates with a team of professional and labor staff in the implementation of large scale grass cutting and clean up of vacant homes, boarding of vacant housing, vacant lot management, basic construction, and other field and maintenance projects to improve the quality of life in strategic Youngstown neighborhoods.

Executive Director of the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation, Ian Beniston, sits down with Leslie Huff to outline the community response to the Glenwood Avenue project open house earlier in the week.

To watch the full video from WFMJ, click here.

If you desired to trace the steps that led to Gina Govojdean winning a highly prestigious award, the journey would begin with her father and mother’s early, loving influence on her.

“They shaped who I became as a person. My parents never shied away from things just because they were difficult,” Govojdean, of Austintown, said about her late parents, John and Donna Govojdean, both of whom she lost at a young age.

Even though her parents, both of whom she described as selfless, dealt with financial and other hardships during their daughter’s younger years, they always stressed the importance of their only child getting a solid education as well as making an indelible mark on others while working to improve their lives, she said.

For fulfilling that wish list and more, Govojdean received the 2026 ATHENA Award during the 33rd annual ATHENA Awards banquet and gala Thursday evening at Waypoint 4180.

Sponsoring the gathering, at which an estimated 650 friends, family members, supporters and others attended, were The Vindicator and the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber.

Govojdean, vice president of sales and supply with Howmet Aerospace’s Niles Operations plant, was among the 30 nominees for the award, which recognizes and honors women who strive toward the highest levels of professional achievement, excel in their chosen fields, have dedicated time and energy to their communities in meaningful ways, inspire and uplift people and open doors that allow others to follow in their paths.

To those ends, she joined Howmet Aerospace in 2012, which was then Alcoa Inc. after having earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. Over a 10-year period, Govojdean moved through procurement operations and global leadership roles, and in 2018, she was one of the youngest procurement leaders at Howmet Aerospace.

Today, Howmet’s Niles Operations is a 600-employee unionized company that produces advanced titanium products for the global aerospace and defense industries.

Govojdean, who also is a volunteer field director for the Horatio Alger Association and promotes scholarship opportunities for students who have risen above great adversity, said that mentoring others is another top priority. She also has worked to ensure women in manufacturing — often considered a male-dominated industry — not only have a place at the table, but have their voices heard and receive opportunities to strengthen the industry.

“I am committed to creating real pathways and breaking barriers so women are not the exception, but the standard — driving innovation and redefining the future,” she has said.

In her remarks following the revelation that she was this year’s award recipient, Govojdean wasted no time shining the spotlight on the other nominees for their achievements.

“We have these incredible women who are doing amazing things,” she said.

She also noted that women make up about 30% of the manufacturing sector, with a lower percentage of them in leadership roles.

“Gina Govojdean stands out because she has stepped into roles where women have historically been underrepresented, and excelled while lifting others,” Kim Calvert, the Regional Chamber’s executive vice president of membership events and MarComm, said.

This year’s other 29 nominees were:

* Amanda Banner, vice president and senior trust adviser for Huntington National Bank.

* Amber Bodrick, chief operating officer, QUICKmed Urgent Care.

* Lauren Butka, medical director, Executive Computer Management Solutions Inc.

* Valarie Campbell, chief financial officer, Covelli Enterprises Inc.

* Beth Kotwis Carmichael, chief executive officer, Trumbull County Tourism Bureau.

* Tina Chance, resource development director, United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley.

* Jamie Demain, director of volunteer and visitor services, Akron Children’s Hospital.

* Amanda Moran, marketing director, Window World PennOhio.

* Aspasia Lyras-Bernacki, co-owner, Penguin City Brewing Co.

* Luann Maynard, senior director of development, Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley.

* Heather McCowin, director of nursing practice, chief nursing officer, Mercy Health-Youngstown, St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital.

* Melinda Miletta-Miller, CEO, Bolt Construction Inc.

* Alicia Miller, senior vice president, segment marketing leader, WesBanco.

* Julie Needs, executive director, Sustainable Opportunities Development Center.

* Markisha Parker, owner, Parker Family Urban Farms LLC and executive director, Farm Family Alliance Inc.

* Erin Phemester, chief experience officer, the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.

* Dorothy Powell, owner and baker, Ginger Bread Bakery.

* Megan Roberts, chief operating officer, HD Growth Patterns.

* Amy Less Shope, managing partner and financial adviser Lehner Shope Wealth Group; founder and director, Dylan’s House.

* Crystal Siembida Boggs, president, Siembida and Boggs Philanthropic Foundation; event manager, GCXC Racing.

* Tiffany Sokol, housing director, Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp.

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

Doug Ramos is a Grass Cutting and Clean Up Team Member for the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation. Doug collaborates with a team of professional and labor staff in the implementation of large scale grass cutting and clean up of vacant homes, boarding of vacant housing, vacant lot management, basic construction, and other field and maintenance projects to improve the quality of life in strategic Youngstown neighborhoods.

Charles Miller is a Property Survey Intern. Charles will conduct a citywide housing quality and property conditions survey of the neighborhoods in Youngstown. This will include traveling every street and conducting a parcel-by-parcel survey documenting the occupancy status and condition of every residential and commercial property in the city of Youngstown. Conditions to be identified include vacant structures, vacant structures that are clearly abandoned, and occupied structures with major exterior deficiencies.

Sandip Kharel is a Property Survey Intern. Sandip will conduct a citywide housing quality and property conditions survey of the neighborhoods in Youngstown. This will include traveling every street and conducting a parcel-by-parcel survey documenting the occupancy status and condition of every residential and commercial property in the city of Youngstown. Conditions to be identified include vacant structures, vacant structures that are clearly abandoned, and occupied structures with major exterior deficiencies.

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

The First National Bank Community Foundation awarded YNDC a $20,000 grant to support YNDC's Housing Counseling Program. 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.

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

The Better Business Bureau of the Mahoning Valley unveiled a new logo and branding Thursday during its annual Torch Awards ceremony, but leaders at the organization stressed that the foundation of business trust remains unchanged.

“For over a century, one mark has stood for trust,” a video introducing the BBB’s new branding declared. “The marketplace may be digital, commerce may be global, but trust is still built the same way – one promise kept, one relationship built, one community at a time.”

That message carried through the ceremony at The Lake Club, where businesses, nonprofits and community leaders were honored for demonstrating ethics, integrity and trust in the Mahoning Valley.

John Burgan, BBB board president, credited BBB President Melissa Ames and her staff for elevating the local organization’s standing nationally.

“Because of Melissa and her staff, we are rated in the top 10% in the United States,” Burgan said.

The 2026 Torch Awards for Marketplace Trust were presented to Sweet Memories Vintage Tees, Gordon Brothers Water and Raphael’s School of Beauty Culture. The Canfield Fair Board of Directors received the Torch Award for Civic Leadership, while Habitat for Humanity of Mahoning Valley received the Torch Award for Nonprofit Excellence.

Ames said the stories behind the honorees are an important reminder of the positive work taking place across the region.

“We have amazing businesses here in the valley, but getting to hear their stories is so important, because oftentimes we have a tendency to focus on the bad,” Ames said.

Linda Barton, owner of Sweet Memories Vintage Tees, highlighted the rapid growth of the nostalgia-based apparel and retail business, which has expanded from a 2,500-square-foot storefront into a 25,000-square-foot building.

“There’s a lot more coming down the pipeline,” Barton said, pointing to new licensing agreements and future expansion plans.

Scott Jones, president of Gordon Brothers Water, said the Salem-based company has built its reputation through consistency and integrity over more than 80 years.

“We will continue to build a workplace where people are respected, customers are valued, and doing the right thing always comes first,” Jones said.

Ralph P. Delserone III, owner and president of Raphael’s School of Beauty Culture, thanked both his staff and students while accepting the award.

“I just wanted to say thank you to the community and Raphael’s team,” Delserone said. “And also the students who entrust us with their education, that we’re doing a good job in helping change lives.”

The Torch Award for Civic Leadership went to the Canfield Fair Board of Directors. Board President Steve Moff invited attendees to return to the fairgrounds this summer for a celebration tied to America’s semiquincentennial.

“I’d like to invite you July 3 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country with the fireworks display at the Canfield Fair,” Moff said.

Habitat for Humanity of Mahoning Valley was recognized for its efforts to expand affordable housing opportunities across Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties.

Executive Director David Redig compared the organization’s work to carrying a torch forward.

“Our torch bearers at Habitat are our homeowners, our future homeowners,” Redig said. “These are individuals and families that want to take up the torch for their life for a new future for themselves.”

The BBB also recognized its TrustBuilders, banking institutions that support the Torch Awards and emphasize community partnerships built on trust.

This year, PNC Bank highlighted its relationship with Party On!; Huntington National Bank recognized the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp.; Farmers National Bank highlighted Parks Garden Center; and WesBanco recognized Youngstown Clothing Co.

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

John Hunter has lived in his home on the west side of the City of Youngstown for over a decade. He chose this home because of its proximity to his parents and his love for the area.

About eight years ago, John said he had the back half of his roof replaced but recently noticed small droplets coming from the ceiling near the back patio. Knowing the leak needed to be addressed immediately, he hired a housing inspector to evaluate his roof.

The findings came as a bit of a shock. Despite the leak being in the back of the home, the inspector said the roof on the front of the house also needed to be replaced. He said that repair alone came with a large price tag. “He wanted to charge me something like $15,000. Obviously, I can’t afford that. Not many people can.”

While at work, John mentioned his predicament to a coworker, who told him about Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation and its emergency repair program. John said his coworker spoke highly of YNDC and the repairs it completed at his home. Not wanting to waste time, John said he immediately contacted YNDC to see if he could qualify for assistance.

John was relieved to learn he qualified. He applied a little over a year ago, and the process moved quickly. John said it was everything he and other homeowners could need. “I contacted YNDC last winter, maybe a little before that, because the weather was cold, and they came out right away. The roof repair was done quickly.”

John said the program requirements were reasonable for the cost of the repairs made.  “I mean, financially, I couldn’t afford the repairs. Plus, I’m not looking to sell my home. So, I’m completely satisfied.”

Now, John shares with others about how YNDC helped him and how it could help them, too.

For questions regarding the Owner-Occupied Home Repair Program, call 330.480.0423.