The Jewish Community Relations Council of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation’s Social Action Committee held “Project Connect,” this year’s Mitzvah Day event Oct. 23.
About 70 participants had access to free services such as mammograms, dental cleanings, medical screenings, and haircuts, and learned about valuable community resources. Nearly 30 vendors provided free services and resources to anyone who needed them. Participating agencies included ACTION, Akiva Academy, American Heart Association, Better Business Bureau, Cadence Care Network, Community Legal Aid, Compass, Easter Seals, Jewish Community Center of Youngstown, Jewish Family & Community Services, Mercy Health, Molina Medicaid, Raphael's Beauty School, Senior Living by Youngstown Area Jewish Federation (Heritage Manor Skilled Nursing, Adult Day Services at Heritage Manor, and Levy Gardens Assisted Living), Sight4All, Trumbull County Loss, Trumbull County Mental Health & Recovery Board, United Way Mahoning Valley, Youngstown Public Library, YSU Dental Clinic, and YWCA Mahoning Valley.
Mitzvah Day is a Jewish-led day of social action that brings people together to give their time to make a difference to the local community around them. A Mitzvah, literally, is a commandment in Jewish law. However, it is often used to mean a good deed or an act of kindness, which is an integral part of Jewish life and is the basis for Mitzvah Day.
“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the JCRC has not held Mitzvah Day since 2019,” said Nic Bush, Federation development & community relations manager. “We were excited to participate in the international tradition and will hold Project Connect again next year.”
Sponsors were Mercy Health and the Elder Family Endowment.
Pictured are volunteers from Mercy Health, Raphael’s School of Beauty, the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation, the American Heart Association, and more.