Building New Logo

Local History

Founded locally in 1951 with the support of the Rotary Club of Youngstown, the Mahoning County Society for Crippled Children began providing therapeutic programs and services, and special needs preschool programs to children.  In September of 1965 the organization, now known by the name of Easterseals, announced at its annual meeting the intention to build a new Rehabilitation Center to better serve our community.  In 1967 the J. Ford Crandall Rehabilitation Center opened its doors at our main location of 299 Edwards Street in Youngstown, Ohio.  At this point, Easterseals expanded its scope and expertise to provide therapeutic programs and services to adults, as well as, the current pediatric clients.   Our therapy and many other programs have been accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities for well over 30 years.  Our continued CARF accreditation confirms that our accredited programs and services are committed to continuous quality improvement, accountability for their performance through outcomes evidence, and monitoring the satisfaction of the persons we serve.

Easterseals has been fortunate to work with two significant fundraising groups that help make possible our delivery of services to children with disabilities.  In 1977 a group of community minded women founded the Angels of Easterseals.  The Angels hold annual fund raising events, and starting in 1981 have published and sold cookbooks to support the Easterseals programs.  Over the last 40 years the Angels have raised and donated in excess of $3.3 million dollars to Easterseals.  Current Angels’ events include a Fall event in November, the Holiday Brunch in December, and the 40 year tradition of the Spring Fashion show in May that highlights Easterseals children.  More information on the Angels can be found here. 

The second significant fund raising arm of Easterseals is the “Garage Sale”, located at 1983 Ridge Ave in Warren.  The Garage Sale started as a result of the generosity and thankfulness of Jim and Pam Pierce.    This relationship dates back to 1967, and again in 1985, when the Pierce’s daughter received services at Easterseals.  Jim and Pam began to volunteer at Easterseals as a way to say thank you, and in 1989 held a Garage Sale in their front yard to raise money for Easterseals.  What started out as a once a year sale in a front yard is now occupying a 20,000 square foot store in Warren and operates on average 8 to 12 times per month, all with volunteer labor!  Annually, the Garage Sale donates over $100,000 to Easterseals.   More information on the Garage Sale can be found here. 

Countless children and adults with disabilities who receive Easerseals services not fully covered by insurance or other third party payers have benefited from the generosity and creative efforts of both the Angels and the Garage Sale.

In 2011 the organization experienced a significant growth phase.  In February, Youngstown Hearing & Speech became a subsidiary corporation of Easterseals.  The addition of the Deaf, Speech, and Audiology services was a perfect complement to the services offered by Easterseals, as was the location at 6614 Southern Boulevard in Boardman.  In September 2011, Easterseals acquired the services provided by Celtic Community Services which included Home Delivered Meals, Senior Transportation services, and in home Private Duty Nursing services. 

Since our inception, our organization has both added and discontinued services and locations, based in large part on the needs of the community, particularly those with disabilities, and various funding streams.  While the mix and locations of services has changed, what has not changed is our commitment to serve individuals of all ages with disabilities.  Our organization exists to provide people with disabilities the best services, the best opportunities they could possibly capture in life.   In the past year Easterseals of Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana Counties has supported and provided services to over 3,500 individuals and their families.  We dispel stereotypes, overcome obstacles and challenge perceptions about people with disabilities and their potential. 

Disabilities have become increasingly complex in the 21st century. The definition of disability itself is broader, going beyond the physical to include emotional, intellectual, social and educational issues.   Our goal and challenge for the future is to continue these efforts and provide services to those in our community who need them most.  

Today, we are providing services to residents of Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana counties and beyond.  Our facility is located at 299 Edwards Street in Youngstown with easy access to interstate 680 at the Glenwood / Mahoning Avenue exit.

Services provided by Easterseals at this location include:

299 Edwards Street, Youngstown, Ohio

  1. Physical, Occupational, Speech and SuitAbility Therapy Services through our Outpatient Medical Rehabilitation Program. These programs provide services to both children and adults.  
  2. The Community Center for the Deaf provides services to Deaf and hard of hearing individuals, including children and adults.  Amongst these services are interpreting, captioning, advocacy, education, case management, job placement, job coaching, American Sign Language classes, and a Deaf Children’s Enrichment Club that provides recreational and educational opportunities, leadership and tutoring services to Deaf and hard of hearing children and young adults.
  3. Adult Day Center fro adults to enhance the lives of adults.
  4. Transportation Services for Adult Day clients, Disabled clients and Seniors.
  5. Home delivered meals.
  6. Teen Group, a program for teenage children with various disabilities that provides an opportunity for socialization and developing related skills.
  7. After School Program for children in Kindergarten-5th grade.
  8. Kindergarten Readiness for children 2.5 to 5 years of age, to prepare them for Kindergarten.
  9. School Based Mental Health.
  10. Summer Camp-Kinship Camp.
Angels Fashion Show 2023
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