VALLEY UPDATE
ENJOY SUMMER Our guide to the joys of the season: Page 15-31
Library staffer to serve patrons in social services, mental-health areas
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he Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County has hired Shari Buchmann as its new Community Support Specialist, a part-time position that will enable the Library to better serve patrons with needs in social service and mental health areas. The new position is part of a $27,600 grant the Library received from the Gerald M. Kline Family Foundation of San Ramon, Calif., for a pilot program in this field. The Gerald M. Kline Family Foundation, based in Emeryville, Calif., has provided over $10 million to philanthropic causes since its inception. It is particularly interested in public library initiatives that provide innovative services to the communities they serve. “We are grateful to the Gerald M. Kline Foundation for providing a grant which enables the library to offer to our patrons a very different kind of assistance. This project aims to provide a way to connect people needing social services with resources that can help,” said Aimee Fifarek, Public Library executive director. She noted that some patrons who frequent the Library may be struggling with issues beyond library service expertise, such as homelessness, addictions, depression and more. “With this new position, we will not only have the expertise needed to help our patrons, but we will also be able to train our staff to better serve patrons with social and emotional needs,” said Fifarek. Buchmann, a licensed social worker, has been in the field of social work for 21 years. She received a bachelor of arts degree from Youngstown State University in 1998. She most recently has been employed by the Area Agency on Aging for the last 13 years, and has past work experience in the foster care system and nursing homes. She started her job at the Public Library on May 13. She is also self-employed with Power of Potential Training and Advocacy Center. The Center provides continuing education units to social workers, counselors and marriage/family therapists. The Center also provides advocacy services for the special needs population, particularly parents and special needs children. Staff will provide Buchmann with referrals from patrons who seek assistance. “My See LIBRARY, Page 7
YSU
An architect’s rendering of the new Cafaro Family Field, currently under construction on Elm Street across from the Cafaro House Residence Hall. The field is expected to open for the start of fall semester at YSU.
YSU breaks ground for Cafaro Family Field
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he Youngstown State University community and the Cafaro family gathered on Monday, May 20 to officially break ground for the new Cafaro Family Field on the north side of campus. The new athletic field will be located immediately north of the Madison Avenue Expressway on the east side Elm Street and across from Cafaro House residence hall at YSU. The $2.5-million field for student intramural and club sports is funded in part through a $1.5 million gift from the Cafaro family. The gift is part of the $100 million “We See Tomorrow” fundraising campaign, the largest in the university’s history. The athletic field will be used for a variety of student recreational activities, including soccer, lacrosse and ultimate Frisbee and is expected to be open in time for the start of the fall semester in August. The new facility is intended to help serve the university’s growing enrollment, especially students living on campus.
The $2.5-million field for student intramural and club sports is funded in part through a $1.5 million gift from the Cafaro family. Overall enrollment was up this year for the third time in the last four years and all residence halls and apartments were again at capacity with nearly 2,300 students. “With so many more students on campus, we want to make sure that we provide an environment that meets the needs of our students, including recreation,” said Joy Pokabla Byers, YSU director of Campus Recreation. The Cafaro Foundation is a charitable entity established in memory of William M. Cafaro and his wife, Alyce, by their children, Anthony M. Cafaro, John J. Cafaro and Flora M. Cafaro. For more than a half century, William, Alyce and brother John A. Cafaro supported churches, schools, hospitals and other charitable causes. The Cafaro Company is one of the nation’s largest
privately held real estate development firms, having developed more than 30 million square feet of property in 14 states. The Cafaros’ support for YSU dates to the 1960s. William M. Cafaro was a key advocate for Youngstown University becoming a state public university in 1968. He also was one of the founders and one of the first board members of the YSU Foundation. William’s son, Anthony Sr., is a 1968 graduate and currently a member of the board of the YSU Foundation. Anthony’s wife, Phyllis, served on the campaign cabinet for the YSU Centennial Capital Campaign. Anthony and Phyllis’ sons, Anthony Jr. and William, a 1992 YSU graduate, now lead the company. John J. Cafaro and his wife, Jan, have also been ardent supporters of the university; their daughter, Capri Cafaro, currently serves on the YSU Board of Trustees.
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