What's Happening in Youngstown, OH…

Approximately 40 teenagers from throughout Northeast Ohio spent Saturday, August 2nd working to beautify Youngstown.

The teens were taking part in Project Grow, an effort supported by the Diocese of Youngstown and the Catholic Extension Society. Project Grow was established in 2011, in the wake of violence that saddened the community. Rather than become disheartened, residents turned their energy to improving the city’s appearance.

The Catholic Extension Society provided a grant of $39,000 to enable participants to improve 14 properties. On this Saturday, the teens were working at a vacant lot on Youngstown’s South Avenue, where they planted trees and added fresh mulch to the property.

According to Edward Brienz, who is with the Diocese of Youngstown, approximately 17,000 cars pass the lot daily. He says that if the neighborhood were nicer looking, the drivers might slow down or even stop to patronize local businesses. That would be good for the stores and the neighborhood alike.

All the youngsters who worked on Saturday, even those from outside Youngstown, said they were glad to help in the effort to beautify the city.

The organizations running Project Grow might consider working with a flyer printing company to create a handout for distribution at locations throughout the city, inviting people to participate in the clean-up and become more conscious of keeping their city in a good condition.