AmeriCorps members are working in Youngstown neighborhoods until June 26

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

A group of AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps is painting houses and stabilizing vacant lots and residential homes in Youngstown.

The group is in Youngstown until June 26 doing the work in the city’s neighborhoods with the assistance of the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp.

The group arrived May 2.

“Learning about the rich history of this community motivates me to work hard alongside YNDC and Youngstown residents to revitalize this city,” said Michael Heisser, an AmeriCorps NCCC team member from Pleasanton, Calif.

AmeriCorps NCCC teams come to Youngstown to help the YNDC, a neighborhood organization focused on improving the quality of life in the city.

The program is a full-time service project for 10 months for young adults. Teams work on projects such as constructing and rehabilitating low-income housing and responding to natural disasters.

Each member gets free room and food, a small stipend and $5,550 to help pay for college or to pay back student loans.