JA DONATION: Building a solid economy for the Mahoning Valley’s future will mean educating young people to make wise financial decisions. Junior Achievement of Eastern Ohio is an organization dedicated to that mission.

It is now developing a dynamic new facility to do that at the Eastwood Mall Complex, The JA Discovery Center. To help facilitate this ambitious project, The Cafaro Foundation is donating a grant of $100,000.

“It is so important that we create strong financial literacy for our children,” said William A. Cafaro, a trustee of The Cafaro Foundation. “We hope this grant will go a long way toward helping Junior Achievement make that goal a reality.”

This donation will be used to facilitate the construction and operation of JA Discovery Center’s two components. JA BizTown and JA Finance Park combine classroom learning with hands-on simulations to teach financial literacy, work readiness and career exploration. In JA BizTown, students in grades 4-6 run businesses, manage finances and engage in real-world decision making. JA Finance Park builds on these concepts, guiding students in grades 7-12 through personal financial planning and budgeting based on real-life scenarios.

In the words of Michelle Merkel, president of Junior Achievement of Eastern Ohio, “The students who walk through the doors of the JA Discovery Center are more than learners — they are our future workforce, our future neighbors, our future civic leaders, and yes, our future donors. Helping them discover their talents and envision their futures here is one of the best economic development initiatives our region can make.”

CARE LAUDED: Heritage Manor Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation and Levy Gardens Assisted Living were recognized on U.S. News & World Report’s just released 2026 Best Senior Living ratings, Heritage Manor for the second year in a row.

Both facilities are part of the continuum of care offered by Senior Living by Youngstown Area Jewish Federation.

These annual ratings are based entirely on satisfaction feedback from residents and their families. The U.S. News Best Senior Living ratings evaluate thousands of communities across the country. Communities are rated on resident and family feedback across safety, care quality, staff, community management, value, and overall satisfaction with services and amenities.

Heritage Manor Rehabilitation & Retirement Community is rated a five-star skilled nursing facility by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and this year received a deficiency free survey. As well as skilled nursing, Heritage Manor offers short term care, including all types of physical, occupational, and speech therapy. It provides an adult day services program and is the only Veterans Administration approved provider of long term care in Mahoning County.

Levy Gardens provides the independence of a private apartment and the comfort and security of assisted living. It features 18 one bedroom and 6 two bedroom residential apartments with complete kitchens.

Senior Living by Youngstown Area Jewish Federation provides care for older adults at various stages of life at Heritage Manor Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation, Levy Gardens Assisted Living, .and Adult Day Services at Heritage Manor. To learn more, visit yajf.org/seniorliving.

INTERNS DAY: As employers across the Mahoning Valley face workforce shortages and increased competition for talent, retaining young professionals is a priority. The Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber is addressing this challenge through initiatives that connect students The chamber is presenting its Second Annual Intern Day on Thursday, July 9, at Fellows Riverside Gardens in Mill Creek MetroParks. This free, daylong event assembles college interns The event exposes interns to the region’s strengths. Participants will build meaningful connections; network with peers; and hear from business and community leaders about professional and personal opportunities here. They will meet the Mahoning Valley Young Professionals, a Chamber organization of young people who will share the value of living, working and thriving in the Valley.

For additional information, sponsorship opportunities or to express interest in participating, contact Brenda J. Linert, director of Community Impact, at Brenda@RegionalChamber.com or 330-744-2131, Ext. 1114.

AKRON CHILDREN’S PHARMACY: A new outpatient pharmacy, available to the community, opened recently in Building A on Akron Children’s Beeghly Campus, 6505 Market St., Boardman.

The pharmacy is a first for the campus, said Kyle Finnerty, director of Pharmacy for Akron Children’s.

“This fills a gap in care for those patients who are being discharged,” Finnerty said. “Whether from the emergency room, a general care floor, or a clinic appointment, patients are able to leave with their medication in hand. The parent won’t have to stop at another pharmacy on the way home and hope they have the medicine in stock. This is a huge step forward in enhancing the continuity of care for our Beeghly campus patients.”

The Akron Children’s Outpatient Pharmacy specializes in pediatric medication formulations. These services include flavoring and compounding medication to meet the needs of patients. For example, a young child is much more likely to take an antibiotic if it is a cherry-flavored syrup rather than difficult-to-swallow pills.

“But you don’t have to have a child at Akron Children’s to use the pharmacy,” said Krystina Hepler, community pharmacy manager at Akron Children’s. “We are open to anyone in the community, including adults who need prescriptions filled and we accept all major insurance plans.”

The pharmacy hours will be 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

SURVEY OPEN: The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland’s 2026 Business Outlook and Trends Survey is live. Participants are wanted.

The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber has partnered with the Cleveland Fed to ensure local business community’s voice informs policymakers. Responses provide real-time data on business conditions that matter to the regional economy.

By taking part participants:

* Directly inform Federal Reserve policymakers and enhance understanding of regional economic conditions.

* Gain early insight into economic trends before they appear in national data.

The survey closes on June 10.

Take part by visiting https://rb.gy/mzjer9.

Questions? Contact the Cleveland Fed’s Regional Analysis Group at CLEV.Regional.Analysis@clev.frb.org.

Have a business story you would like to share? Email it to business@tribtoday.com.