YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Youngstown Foundation on Tuesday announced $983,250 in grants to 19 local organizations, including $200,000 for the Youngstown YMCA to support free memberships for city youths and kitchen improvements at the downtown branch.
“This funding will enable us to modernize and expand the capacity of our kitchen at the Central YMCA downtown,” said Beth Scheller, president and CEO of the YMCA of Youngstown. “We’re also excited about welcoming up to 200 Youngstown City Schools students and family members as new members of the YMCA.”
The largest portion of The Youngstown Foundation support, $120,000, will pay for annual memberships for Youngstown City School District students and/or family members. The remainder will cover kitchen improvements that will enable the YMCA to prepare and serve meals to youths in the organization’s programs, as well as salary support for a new youth program director to oversee child care and other youth services.
“The additional membership revenue, kitchen improvements and enhanced child care capabilities will strengthen the YMCA as a true anchor institution in downtown Youngstown,” said Lynnette H. Forde, president of The Youngstown Foundation. “We are very pleased to approve this investment in the YMCA and in the health and overall wellness of our community.”
Here are the other grants approved by the foundation:
- The city of Youngstown: $100,000 to support additional events and new signage as part of the ongoing effort to revitalize downtown.
- Flying High: $100,000 to support the expansion of its North Side training center.
- The Youngstown Area Jewish Federation: $100,000 to support the expansion of its Early Learning Center, Akiva Academy, food service operations and adult day care program.
- Adaptive Sports Ohio: $75,000 for programs for children with disabilities.
- Mahoning Valley Community Action Program: $50,000 for economic opportunities education.
- Leadership Mahoning Valley: $50,000 for operating support.
- Regional Chamber Foundation: $50,000 for leadership training.
- Youngstown City Schools: $40,000 for positive behavior intervention and support.
- Ballet Western Reserve: $30,000 for the “Nutcracker” performance.
- Stambaugh Auditorium: $30,000 for operating support.
- Help Network: $30,000 for Special Navigator program marketing.
- Kelly Pavlik Organization: $25,000 for youth services for children with disabilities.
- Kent State University Foundation: $25,000 for LGBTQ+ community needs.
- Antonine Sisters Adult Day: $20,000 for senior programs.
- Youngstown Links: $20,000 for infant mortality efforts.
- Bess Purpose: $15,000 for operating support.
- Millcreek Children’s Center: $15,000 for scholarships.
- National Inventors Hall of Fame: $8,250 for Camp Invention for children with disabilities.
Pictured at top: From left are Dre Brown, executive director of the Central YMCA; Lynnette Forde, president of The Youngstown Foundation; and Beth Scheller president and CEO of the YMCA of Youngstown.