In Youngstown, Ohio, a local organization, the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation, has worked tirelessly for more than a decade to improve the quality of life for residents and to rebuild the city’s communities. When the local steel and manufacturing industry collapsed in the late 1970s, so did the investments into Youngstown communities. Growing economic segregation, resource depletion, and escalating levels of vacancy and associated health and environmental issues led to the city’s poverty rate reaching 49.7 percent in 2012.
That’s when AmeriCorps came in to help lift up the community once again.
Making a Difference
In 2012, AmeriCorps NCCC members joined forces with YNDC to help address urban development and mitigate negative conditions posed by vacant buildings. Since then, AmeriCorps members have served more than 25,000 hours to help improve the health and economic opportunities within Youngtown communities.
AmeriCorps members have restored sidewalks, cleaned up and secured more than 650 vacant properties, cleared more than 200 vacant lots, and helped YNDC restore green spaces and community parks by planting more than 350 trees.
In 2016, 10 AmeriCorps members served in the community, cutting and painting nearly 1,500 boards to board up more than 150 vacant homes, laying more than 20 cubic yards of mulch to improve landscaping for community signage, and more.
The Impact of National Service
Members Ramon and Yasith served the area with their AmeriCorps NCCC teams in 2019, and they both say their time in Youngstown made an unmistakable impact in their own lives.
“I personally found the time in Youngstown opened my eyes to the needs of the community, not only in Youngstown but also in other blighted areas of the United States,” Yasith said. “Before, I was not aware exactly how vast the scale of economic troubles caused by the collapse of industry are, even if I was aware of their existence.”
For Ramon, his time serving gave him firsthand experience he can use in his future career in how to address community needs effectively.
“Working alongside YNDC has given me more ideas around how to create and maintain community,” he said. “It has allowed me to see how a community issue can be attacked on multiple levels and how important it is for all members of the community to buy in.”
“My best memories of Youngstown will always be watching the kids go to school in the morning, walking down cleaner and safer sidewalks that we helped pave for them,” Ramon said. “This project has helped reemphasize the importance of a healthy environment to grow in both physically and mentally.”
