TRUMBULL COUNTY Warren YWCA looking to public for direction

Wanted: ideas for reviving programming.
By PETER H. MILLIKEN
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- As it plans to re-establish its activities, YWCA Warren wants to hear what the public perceives to be the needs of women and girls in Trumbull County, how the YWCA can meet those needs, and what organizations could be partners in this effort.
A community meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library, 444 Mahoning Ave. N.W.
"What we're looking at is trying to get back to basics. How do we carry out our mission through service delivery and advocacy?," said Shari Harrell, a YWCA coordinator.
Public opinion
The meeting seeks comments about new directions for the YWCA, which announced in November that it would be closing its 76-year-old, 65,000-square-foot building at 375 N. Park Ave., putting the building up for sale, and moving its offices and programs to other quarters.
The YWCA said its membership had dropped 50 percent in one year, and it could no longer afford escalating utility and building maintenance costs. Classes in the building ceased Jan. 21 and high school swim team practices ended there in mid-February. The building remains empty, except for YWCA administrative offices.
"We need to re-focus and regroup and revitalize," said Eileen Catanzaro, YWCA director.
The community meeting has been called by the YWCA's 14-member transition committee. The committee, consisting of civic and business leaders who are studying the YWCA's future options, has met three times, Harrell said.
Committee hopes
Members of the committee have had exploratory discussions about partnerships or collaborations with the United Methodist Community Center of Youngstown (which seeks to bring some of its programs into Trumbull County), the YMCA of Trumbull County YMCA, the Salvation Army of Warren, United Way of Trumbull County, Consumer Credit Counseling Service and the Family and Children First Council.
The committee hopes to present a strategic plan and a proposal for YWCA programs and activities to the YWCA board of trustees in June and have some of those programs and activities begin in September.
If it can establish a partnership with one or more other agencies, Harrell said it is possible the YWCA could stay in the Park Avenue building if it isn't sold before its six-month listing expires this summer. It's also possible the YWCA could rent space there from a new owner, she said.
The Park Avenue building features a large gymnasium, two indoor pools, two fully-equipped fitness rooms, three kitchens, a computer learning center, a chandeliered board room, and large club and community rooms.
The asking price is $695,000 for the land and building; $795,000 if the fitness equipment and furnishings are included. The building has been shown to six potential buyers, Catanzaro said.
YWCA-sponsored Trumbull Town Hall lectures will continue next season at W.D. Packard Music Hall, and plans are under way for the June 3 Children's Olympics at Howland Middle School.