YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Youngstown Blue Coats achieved phenomenal growth in 2024, as measured by many metrics.
The nonprofit directly provided warming items and other assistance to more than 3,800 homeless veterans and other homeless in northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania through partnerships with various agencies, says Patty Summers, CEO and founder.
“Our mission and objectives are based on meeting their needs to ensure they are warm, dry and well,” she says.
In 2024, Youngstown Blue Coats served more individuals indirectly by collaborating with 68 agencies to address various physical and mental health care needs. And the nonprofit expanded its service population to include children-in-need through collaborations with schools.
The homeless population increased during the pandemic and continues to grow in the aftermath of adverse economic circumstances.
To better serve the homeless, YBC relocated in 2023 to a 12,500-square-foot building in Hubbard that includes indoor space for its blue bus. This year, a trailer was donated and the nonprofit purchased an SUV that can be used to transport the trailer. This enables YBC to do multiple distributions and events within a day.
Goals for 2025 include a fundraiser with a target of $150,000. “This is a challenging objective. We know we can achieve this with the help of this generous community,” she says.
Youngstown Blue Coats, founded in 2017, depends entirely on volunteers. Monetary donations are accepted as well as materials such as gently used winter coats, socks, boots, hats, gloves, sleeping bags, ground mats and tents.