YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown Area Jewish Federation received grants totaling $100,000 for the expansion of the Early Learning Center at the JCC of Youngstown.

This expansion will provide a safe, nurturing and engaging environment for the youngest learners, ranging from 16 to 35 months.

The new classroom will feature:

• Age-appropriate learning materials and toys to foster sensory exploration and early developmental milestones.

• A low child-to-teacher ratio to ensure personalized care and attention.

• Dedicated spaces for play, rest, and feeding, tailored to meet the unique needs of infants and toddlers.

• Highly trained, compassionate caregivers who prioritize the well-being, growth, and happiness of each child.

“We are very excited to be able to continue to expand our high-quality Early Learning Center,” said Adrienne Achenbach, ELC director. “We have seen the greatest area of need in the infant / toddler area from our community. I am proud to be able to continue to grow our amazing ELC with the help of so many amazing people.”

Construction will begin in early 2025 and will be complete no later than the 2025-26 school year.

Donors to the project are J. Ford Crandall Memorial Foundation, Beecher Foundation, John S. and Doris Andrews Memorial Fund, Penner Family Endowment, Frank and Pearl Gelbman Charitable Foundation, Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, and Walter E. and Caroline H. Watson Foundation.

The Youngstown Area Jewish Federation is the umbrella organization for several agencies, including Senior Living by Youngstown Area Jewish Federation, the Jewish Community Center of Youngstown, the Jewish Community Relations Council, and Jewish Family & Community Services. The Federation works to promote the welfare of the Jewish people, locally, nationally and overseas. For more information, visit jewishyoungstown.org.

The JCC of Youngstown offers social, cultural, educational and recreational programs in a Jewish environment.

The Early Learning Center at the JCC provides a standard of excellence in social development, cultural diversity and education for ages six weeks to

pre-K, according to its website.