YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – An expansion of Heritage Manor was completed in 2022, adding 32 beds to the facility and bringing the total to 72.
Before the expansion, the center had 16 rooms that shared a bathroom, and seven semi-private rooms. With the completion of the project, the facility has 72 private rooms, each with its own bathroom.
The pandemic illustrated that private living spaces are necessary for infection control, says Andrew Lipkin, CEO of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation, which owns and operates the residential facility.
The expansion included the addition of a veterans courtyard, therapy gym, rehabilitation wing, and the adult day services area was expanded. Capping off the year, Heritage Manor received a deficiency-free health inspection on its recent annual survey by the state health department. Only about 1% of long-term care facilities earn this rating.
The Heritage Manor project was just one highlight of the year for the Jewish Federation.
The Early Learning Center at the Jewish Community Center received a Five-Star Step Up to Quality Award from the state in recognition of its commitment to the education and development of children.
JMeals, the JCC’s mobile meals program, delivered more than 225,000 meals during the pandemic. Funded by grants, the program is being expanded to include free meals to Youngstown residents who meet eligibility requirements and Trumbull County seniors who qualify. All meals are made with food purchased from local vendors and prepared fresh daily at the JCC.
In 2022, Levy Gardens celebrated 25 years of serving the community. It features 24 one- and two-bedroom apartments with kitchens. Tenants have access to the continuum of care available through other federation agencies.
The Jewish Community Relations Council partnered with the Mahoning Valley Historical Society to digitize audio and video recordings of Holocaust survivor testimonies contained in the Dr. Saul Friedman Collection housed at the Schwartz Judaic and Holocaust Resource Center in the JCC. After Friedman’s death in 2013, his family donated many of his records and works to the federation, including essays, lectures and recordings of interviews with local Holocaust survivors. In all, there are over 50 cassette tapes and two 8mm films, with hours of important history and stories now available in a digital format.
Looking ahead, Lipkin says this year promises to be full of growth and celebration. Israel will celebrate its 75th year of statehood and the federation will celebrate with programming that will culminate in a large event in May.
Pictured at top: Pictured from left are Sara Mikita, Dena Derenzis, Adrienne Achenbach, Symone Barnes, Stephanie Smelly and Jima Jenkins.