Neighborhoods

Friday, March 31, 2017

On Thursday, March 30, YNDC hosted an open house to showcase a recently renovated Crandall Park Neighborhood home.

460 Francisca Avenue’s rehabilitation was defined as an action item in the Crandall Park Neighborhood Action Team’s action plan. 20 neighbors, community members, and action team members attended the open house and toured the three-bedroom, one-and-a-half bath, brick Colonial home which is currently available for sale to owner-occupant buyers for $65,000.

Friday, March 31, 2017

On Friday, March 31, the Knight Foundation brought a group of Akron leaders composed of representatives from foundations, neighborhood groups, community development corporations, the City of Akron, and other stakeholders to the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation

to learn more about YNDC's mission, strategy, and programs. A learning discussion was held in YNDC's Kitchen Building followed by a tour of YNDC's Neighborhood Revitalization Campus and several revitalization projects in progress. REVITALIZE.

We live in a time where the process of reconciliation is becoming more difficult to achieve.

Our national political leaders can’t seem to reconcile their differences to govern our country.

The road to reconciliation between rival gangs in Chicago appears intractable, as the murder rate in that city continues rising.

And some parts of the country continue struggling toward reconciling differences that have resulted in unarmed black men being gunned down by white police officers.

Maybe it’s time to study the work of the person Christians believe is the world’s greatest reconciler: Jesus Christ.

Kingdom Arise, in partnership with NOW Youngstown and churches throughout the Mahoning Valley, will gather to celebrate “Meet Me At the Cross” on April 14, which is Good Friday, at the Covelli Centre on Front Street in downtown Youngstown.

Other religious organizations endorsing the event are the Steel Valley Baptist Association, Assemblies of God, Evangelical Ministers’ Fellowship of Warren and Rally in the Valley.

Doors open at 6 p.m., and the service, which will be from 7 to 9, will allow area churches, ministries, clergy and guests to celebrate the passionate and compassionate love of Christ that was demonstrated in his crucifixion.

The free event will feature a community worship team and choir as well as a community children’s choir. There will be interpreters for the deaf and hard of hearing and Spanish interpretation.

Bishop Joseph Garlington – a leader of the Promise Keepers evangelical Christian men’s movement and pastor of Covenant Church of Pittsburgh – is the guest speaker. He pastors a multiracial and cross-cultural community of more than 3,000 members, which he founded in 1971.

He is married to Barbara Williams Garlington, and together, they share responsibility for seven children, 13 grandchildren, a great-granddaughter and a great-grandson.

My good friend, the Rev. Gary L. Frost, former pastor of Rising Star Baptist Church on the city’s East Side, says the name “Meet Me At The Cross” was chosen because it speaks of “calling together Christians throughout the region to celebrate the hope that is found in Christ Jesus.”

“In a social atmosphere of increased interpersonal tension, we believe the message of the cross provides the pathway to the reconciliation desperately needed in our community and our nation,” he said in an email to me. “The message of forgiveness demonstrated on the cross has the potential to remedy the racial, political and cultural strife that is devastating our nation.”

Joining the Rev. Mr. Frost as event co-chairman and host is Bishop David L. Thomas of Victory Christian Center in Coitsville. I have known Bishop Thomas for at least two decades. He has preached the good news of Christ in 26 nations and is president of Victory School of Ministry.

They are praying the gathering will be another step in a movement that will bring true biblical reconciliation and genuine unity to our community.

In a letter to the leaders of area churches, Mr. Frost and Bishop Thomas wrote, “We believe that when Jesus Christ sacrificed His life on Calvary’s cross it was the greatest demonstration of reconciliation the world has ever known.

“We are inviting Christ followers from all over this region to gather on Good Friday 2017 to celebrate our oneness in Christ and unashamedly acknowledge Jesus Christ as our Lord and king. We may differ on some things, but we agree that Jesus is the Son of God, and He is the only eternal hope for our community, our nation and our world.”

According to the Meet Me at the Cross website, others involved in the event are Dr. Alton L. Merrell Jr., a minister of worship, pianist, composer and educator, who serves as the director of worship ministries at Allegheny Center Alliance Church in Pittsburgh; Janet Write, a retired educator from the Youngstown City School District who serves as music director at New Bethel Baptist Church on the city’s South Side; the Rev. Dan Barker, senior pastor of Cortland Trinity Baptist Church since 1986; and Juan Santiago, who serves on the boards for Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp. and Kingdom Arise and has led a nonprofit ministry called Professionals Partnering with Christ.

I know several churches have Passion plays on Good Friday, but if your fellowship does not have one, this event certainly seems worth your time.

You can find out more by going to www.meetmeatthecross.us and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or contacting Mr. Frost at 917-817-6287, Bishop Thomas at 330-536-2127 or Pastor Al Yanno of Metro Assembly of God Church at 330-519-0470.

Also, the Covelli will host the annual Men’s Rally in the Valley on April 29. You will be reading more about the event that attracts thousands of Christian men from throughout the Mahoning and Shenango valleys in The Vindicator on Sunday.

To read the full story from the Vindicator, click here.

Caring for Our Community Campaign, hosted by WKBN-TV 27, recently awarded a $1,500 scholarship to Alec Cole, a senior at Trumbull Career & Technical Center, winner of the Tom Holden Memorial Scholarship contest. He and the runners-up were honored at a luncheon at the Maronite Center on March 24.

More than 200 students from local high schools and career and technical centers submitted public service announcements they had written for local nonprofit organizations. Cole selected Animal Welfare League of Trumbull, and his winning entry will be shown throughout the year on WKBN. The five runners-up each received $100 and also will have their announcements featured on WKBN commercials throughout April.

The first runner up is Mackenzie Opritza, junior at Lowellville High School, her entry featured Help Hotline. Second is Izabella Lileas, senior at TCTC, featuring the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County. Third is Mary Wack, junior at Hubbard, featuring the Alzheimer’s Association. Fourth is Santino Diaz-Palma, junior at Struthers, featuring Lifebanc. Fifth is Mia Salvato, senior at TCTC, featuring the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp.

Caring Campaign is sponsored by Huntington Bank, Window World, Dunkin’ Donuts, Safelite AutoGlass and Braking Point Recovery Center.

To read the full story from the Vindicator, click here.

Saturday, the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation worked to clean up the streets of Youngstown.

But they didn’t do it alone.

Volunteer groups came from Cardinal Mooney High school, Youngstown State University and Americorps, among others. They removed trash, dirt and debris from sidewalks along Indianola and took time to clean vacant lots.

YNDC organizers said being able to see results helps volunteers feel a sense of ownership for the work they do in their hometown.

“Actually, these sidewalks we’re standing on literally weren’t here this morning,” said Tiffany Sokol, YNDC housing director. “They were covered by about six inches of dirt and we’ve been able to totally clear these. So now these kids have a clear path to walk to and from school everyday.”

Additionally, Sokol says these events help younger volunteers develop a good work ethic and character.

To read the full story from WKBN, click here.

Monday, April 3, 2017

YNDC is proud to announce the publishing of its 1st quarterly performance report of 2017!

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

The work done by AmeriCorps Vista volunteers during their six weeks in Youngstown is invaluable in helping YNDC complete their mission.

To watch the full video from the Business Journal, click here.

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

On Saturday, April 1, over 150 volunteers from AmeriCorps NCCC, Banner Supply Co, Cardinal Mooney High School, and YSU Greek Life cleaned up the Indianola Corridor around Cardinal Mooney High School at the Indianola Corridor Workday.

Volunteers removed brush and debris, cleaned up landscaping, and edged and scraped the sidewalks on Indianola Road and Erie Street. 950 feet of sidewalk was scraped and 195 cubic yards of debris was removed. Many thanks to all the volunteers, and to Banner Supply Co, Southside Recycling, Wester Fuel, and Youngstown Fence for donating funds for snacks and lunch!

On April 4, Chemical Bank donated $15,000 to YNDC’s housing programming.This donation will increase the number of successful and sustainable homeowners in neighborhoods throughout the City of Youngstown

by providing prospective homebuyers with a comprehensive portfolio of services beginning with YNDC’s HUD Approved Housing Counseling services. Many thanks to Chemical Bank for their support and the commitment they have shown to our collective work to stabilize and revitalize neighborhoods throughout the city!

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

On April 4, Mayor John A. McNally and Commissioner Rimedio-Righetti, along with elected officials across the county, participated in the fifth-annual Mayor and County Recognition Day for National Service.

At YNDC's Community Workshop, the Mayor and Commissioner addressed local AmeriCorps and SeniorCorps members who serve at local organizations including YNDC, the Ursuline Sisters, Taft Promise Neighborhood, and Family & Community Services, Inc. The addresses put a spotlight on the key role that National Service members play in solving local problems and challenges.