VALLEY FOUNDATIONS & LOCAL NONPROFITS Premier Bank renames Home Savings foundation
n Premier Bank is announcing that the Home Savings Charitable Foundation is now named the Premier Bank Foundation. The announcement follows the company name change and the First Federal Bank of the Midwest and Home Savings Bank merger in 2020. “Consistent with our other branding changes, the new identity of the Premier Bank Foundation aligns with our mission to continue supporting our communities with financial advice, leadership roles in our communities and financial support,” said Gary Small, president, Premier Bank. “Over the past 30 years, the Foundation has provided over $19 million to local organizations in the communities we call home and we are looking forward to continuing to serve all of our local communities through the Premier Bank Foundation.” For more information on the Premier Bank Foundation, visit YourPremierBank.com/About/ Charitable-Foundation.
Youngstown Foundation appoints Forde president
n The Youngstown Foundation appointed Lynnette H. Forde as its new president last December. Forde was selected following an extensive national search after Executive Director Janice E. Strasfeld announced her plans to retire in July 2020 FORDE after 15 years of service. “We had a pool of exceptional candidates, and Ms. Forde set herself apart with a missionfocused approach to organizational leadership” said Distribution Committee Board Chairperson Eugenia Atkinson. “Lynnette is highly accomplished with a strong skillset in non-profit advocacy and donor relations. Her proven track record of success makes her the perfect candidate to meet the challenges our community will face moving forward.” Forde has nearly two decades as a non-profit executive. Most recently, she served as the vice president of Government Relations & Development for Circle Health Services and The Center for Families and Children, a nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive health care, behavioral health, early childhood education and workforce development services in Cuyahoga County. During her tenure as vice president, Forde focused on building stakeholder relationships and fundraising from governmental and philanthropic sources. Prior to that, she served as the associate vice president for Institutional Relations at United Way of Greater Cleveland and was senior director of Foundation Relations for Case Western Reserve University. Forde has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from
Warren Philharmonic cancels April 11 concert
IMAGE COURTESY OF CAMBRIDGE SEVEN
n As part of its $4 million renovation, OH WOW! The Roger & Glo-
ria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology will relocate the museum’s main entrance to Central Square (above). A grand reopening is scheduled for Saturday, May 15. Visit ohwowkids.org for updates and opening protocols or call Colleen at 330-744-5914. Northwestern University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan. “It is an incredible honor to be selected to lead The Youngstown Foundation. I am excited to begin working with the board, staff and bringing the community together to both continue and build upon the foundation’s legacy of excellence,” said Forde. To learn more about the Youngstown Foundation, visit www.youngstownfoundation.org.
Stambaugh, DeYor enter management agreement
n The boards of directors of the Youngstown Symphony Society and the Henry H. Stambaugh Auditorium Association have entered into a management agreement where the staff of Stambaugh Auditorium will provide operational and management support services for the DeYor Performing Arts Center. The two arts organizations entered into the agreement in mid-December. Stambaugh will provide general administrative, operations, event booking, marketing and fund development functions as part of the agreement. The sharing of services began last June with the Henry H. Stambaugh Auditorium Association providing bookkeeping services for the Youngstown Symphony Society. The management agreement seeks to preserve and maximize usage of the two Youngstown performingarts venues. A committee consisting of members of each of the boards, as well as key staff from both organizations, have been meeting to establish a plan to share resources, reduce costs and increase efficiencies between the organizations. “While this collaboration has been in development for quite some time, the financial impact of the COVID pandemic has increased the urgency of its implementation,” said Chris Jaskiewicz, vice president of the Youngstown
Symphony Society Board of Directors. The YSS administrative and facility staff has been furloughed at this time while a reorganization plan for the YSS is developed. “While the arts and culture has been especially hard-hit due to COVID-related cancellations and the ban on mass gatherings, we feel that by sharing services and reducing costs, both organizations will emerge stronger when the pandemic is over,” said Matt Pagac, Stambaugh Auditorium chief executive and operating officer. “This partnership will help to create the best opportunity to overcome the current challenges and set both organizations on a path for long-term success as well as to ensure the future of the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra,” said Jaskiewicz. “The YSS Board of Directors have every intention of ensuring that the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra will continue as a professional orchestra and will be here when the pandemic is over,” he added.
Parents of Survivors virtual discussion group
n Parents of Survivors, a virtual discussion group for parents of children who have been sexually assaulted, meets from 5:30-6:30 p.m., the first Wednesday of the month. The group is facilitated by Jill Miller, family advocate from Rape Crisis and Counseling Center and Katina Rohrman, program manager from Daybreak Youth Crisis Center. The group will provide educational information to help parents, as well as their children, move forward in a positive, healthy direction. It offers a place for victims to start healing and to help children transition from victims to survivors. Individual needs can be addressed and referrals to additional resources can be made. To register or for additional information, call COMPASS Family & Community Services at 330782-5664 or visit COMPASSFamily.org.
n Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the board and staff of the Warren Philharmonic Orchestra have canceled their April 11 performance, “Quixotic Journeys!” “We are unable to find a suitable venue to ensure the safety of our audience and performers,” said WPO Executive Director Barry Dunaway. “In addition, many orchestra members are unavailable to perform until vaccination levels have increased. The student concerts scheduled for April are canceled, as well,” said Dunaway. Patrons who purchased season tickets for 2020-2021 will receive tickets for 2021-2022 at no charge. Program advertisers’ payments also will carry over. “We are making plans for the next season and look forward to a normal schedule,” said Dunaway. The Orchestra’s Strings of Joy program will continue with provisions for social distancing and other safety measures. The program provides free violin lessons to selected Trumbull County students in grades three through seven. The Warren Philharmonic Orchestra is comprised of 50 professional musicians from the area. In addition to its concerts for the public, the orchestra has performed free school concerts for thousands of area school children. For more information, contact Warren Philharmonic at 330-399-3606, email warren.philharmonic@gmail.com or visit the website. Warren Philharmonic also maintains a Facebook page.
Visit Lawrence County releases 2021 guide n Visit Lawrence County is announcing the release of its 2021 visitors guide. The annual magazine highlights recreation, dining, arts and culture. Guides are available at Pennsylvania Welcome Centers, rest areas and county convention bureaus. This year, guides also will be available along the Interstates 77 and 70 in Ohio. Visit Lawrence County includes a map of the Stavich Bicycle Trail and the North Country National Scenic Trail, which offers 25 miles of off-road hiking and 11 miles of temporary connector road walk. The guide is available at Visit Lawrence County and brochure racks at the Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Quality Inn, Lawrence County Government Center, The Confluence, Ellwood City Area Chamber of Commerce, Westminster College, Premium Outlets at Grove City, the Pittsburgh Airport, New Castle Airport and various businesses throughout the county. Some locations are limited, so the public is advised to call in advance.The guide is available for download from VisitLawrenceCounty.com. A copy can be mailed by calling 724-654-8408. For more information, contact the Visit Lawrence County.
Local Nonprofits
NEWS DIGEST
Library, hunger group offer ready-to-eat meals
n The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, in collaboration with Children’s Hunger Alliance, is distributing ready-to-eat meals available for pickup for ages 18 and younger at the Newport and Michael Kusalaba library branches. Free, ready-to-eat meals will be available for pickup from 2-6:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 2-5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Packages consist of non-perishable foods. In keeping with COVID-19 precautions, meals cannot be eaten inside the libraries. Food for holidays that the libraries are closed can be picked up in advance. For more information on the Children’s Hunger Alliance, visit https://childrenshungeralliance.org.
VIENNA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Vienna Historical Society seeks to identify eight students
Vienna Historical Society seeks to I.D. class of 1930
n The Vienna Historical Society seeks information on students from the class of 1930 at Vienna High School. The class had eight graduates: Robert Colton, James Frost, Vincent Hoffman, Russell Hull, Esther Lee, Ruth Londeck, Dwight Scott and Robert Smith. The Vienna Historical Society seeks to match students in the photograph with their names. Anyone with information can contact the historical society. The mailing address is Vienna Historical Society, P.O. Box 593, Vienna, Ohio 44473. The email is inquiry@viennahistory.org.
Library to offer open mic poetry nights via Zoom
n April is National Poetry Month. The Public Library is inviting teens and adults to share their respective talents during virtual Open Mic Night. Readings will occur via Zoom at 7 p.m., on Wednesday, April 7 and 21. Favorite works and/or original poetry are welcome. Participants should register with an email to receive a Zoom invitation. Participants do not have to appear on camera, although a camera and microphone are preferred. To register, visit https://libraryvisit.libnet.info/ event/4902278.
METRO MONTHLY APRIL/MAY 2021 11
