Youngstown Foundation Announces $380K in Grants
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Youngstown Foundation on Tuesday announced $380,000 in new grants, including $100,000 for the Inspiring Minds Youth Enrichment program, which aims to equip and inspire young people to discover and pursue success.
Inspiring Minds provides after-school and summer enrichment programs to students in Youngstown and Warren. The programs focus on education, college and career readiness, health and wellness, personal development and exposure to new experiences.
“When the school doors close, many young people struggle to access educational opportunities and basic needs such as healthy meals and adequate adult supervision,” said Deryck Toles, Inspiring Minds founder and chief executive officer. “Our programs enable students to continue their intellectual development while they receive the necessary support they need to do so.”
Lynnette Forde, president of the Youngstown Foundation, said it’s “an honor” to support Inspiring Minds’ efforts.
“The Youngstown Foundation is inspired by the commitment of Deryck Toles and his team to our community,” she said.
The foundation awarded a $75,000 grant to the YWCA of the Mahoning Valley for an affordable housing project on Youngstown’s North Side. The funds will support the renovation of an Illinois Avenue building to create six apartments, including one accessible to a person with disabilities.
Here are the seven other local nonprofits and initiatives that received grant awards:
- Autism Society of Mahoning Valley, Camp Friend, $50,000.
- Northeast Ohio Adoption Services, Building Diverse Support for Foster Youth, $50,000.
- Kool Boiz Foundation, Promising Men’s Mentoring, $30,000.
- Nikki’s House, Recovery Housing, $30,000.
- AxessPointe Health Centers, Veterans Haven Housing Project, $20,000.
- Junior Achievement of Eastern Ohio, Junior Achievement K-12 Pathways, $20,000.
- Girl Scouts of North East Ohio, Girl Scout Journeys in Youngstown, $5,000.
Pictured at top: Students from Inspiring Minds Warren participate in a reading activity as part of the organization’s summer enrichment program.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
