SitemapThe 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.
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