The Mahoning Valley Community School in partnership with the Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board received approval on Monday for $1 million in funds from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) for its Community Learning Center project.

According to a press release, the school purchased the former Job and Family Services building at 2026 South Avenue to become its "Community Learning Center." This will be the first of its kind in Youngstown.

The model will bring together wellness, education and resources to promote resiliency and improve outcome for families in the Valley.

The project will come in two phases. The first phase will consist of the renovation of the South Avenue building, to which the funds are allocated. The second phase planning includes a gymnasium, cafeteria, additional workforce development classrooms, a wellness center, a media center and a childcare facility.

"We have been looking forward to this project for quite some time and to finally see this coming together so that we can provide this building for our students and families is incredible," said School Superintendent Jennifer Merritt.

The school plans to open its new location on South Avenue no later than June of 2024, where it will facilitate its summer work program, summer school and new entrepreneurship program. 

Last year, former Youngstown City Schools Superintendent Justin Jennings issued an eviction notice to Mahoning Valley Community School, which would have removed them from their location at Woodrow Wilson High School.

However, we're told that Jennings never followed through with this eviction and the school will be holding the rest of the school year at Woodrow Wilson High.

The school is currently enrolling students for the 2023-24 year in grades 7-12.