Latest news with #RichCenterforAutism
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Commissioners recognize Rich Center for Autism's 30 years of service to community
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – Mahoning County commissioners honored the Rich Center for Autism in recognition of the organization's 30 years of service to the community. On Friday, commissioners acknowledged the Rich Center's dedication to children and families affected by autism in the Mahoning Valley. For three decades, the Rich Center for Autism has been delivering education, therapy, and support to individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. This special recognition comes ahead of Saturday's 'Rock the Rich Center' fundraiser at the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre downtown, featuring national recording artist Lita Ford and local band The Vindys. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is currently reporting that 1 in 31 children aged 8 and under are diagnosed with autism. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lita Ford to ‘Rock the Rich Center'
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — Lita Ford, best known for her chart-topping hits and fierce guitar riffs, is headlining this year's Rock The Rich Center concert, benefiting the Rich Center for Autism. 'I'm happy to have come full circle now and to still be playing rock and roll and still be doing what I'm doing. I love it,' Ford said. She's a rock pioneer from her days with The Runaways to solo stardom. Now, Ford is taking the stage in Youngstown for something special. 'We're so happy to be a part of it and you know, anything we can do to support and bring awareness.' Ford is headlining Rock The Rich Center, a concert benefiting The Rich Center for Autism. Her performance is drawing national attention to a local mission and driving critical funding to help the center's programs, taking it to new heights. 'We're happy to be there. We're happy to rock the place and hopefully bring in some good awareness and some income, you know, something for the foundation,' Ford said. For Ford, Youngstown is more than a stop on tour. It's a place where the fans and the passion are real. 'It's a rock and roll place. I mean, some places are just not rock and roll at all, but there's always a huge fan base for rock and roll in Youngstown. So it's always a pleasure to come in and jam.' The concert not only marks 30 years of the Rich Center but also celebrates music's power to inspire change. But don't expect to just watch, Ford wants you right there with her, singing along and living the moment. 'We try really hard to bring the audience in with us. So it's loose, it's happy, it's high energy and we're there to rock so please come down and see us and rock and roll with us!' Lita Ford and the Vindys hit the stage at the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre this Saturday. Tickets are still available through Ticketmaster, with all the proceeds going directly to support The Rich Center for Autism. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Excitement grows for Vindys and metal queen performance
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – The Vindys are getting ready to team up with Metal Queen Lita Ford for Rock the Rich Center. The annual concert benefits the Rich Center for Autism. This year, they're highlighting 'Women Who Rock' and all the amazing efforts they've made to better the Rich Center but the focus remains on the autism community. Ford will headline the show this year and will be joined on stage by the Vindys. Vindy's lead singer, Jackie Popovec, is excited to return to the stage for the third-straight year, tag-teaming with Lita Ford. 'I've had the pleasure of being on stage with a lot of legends, and to be with Lita Ford on that same stage as her is just going to be incredible. I can't just wait to see her shred on the guitar,' Popevec said. The show is set for May 31 at the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre. Tickets are still available. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. A pre-concert party kicks off at Penguin City at 4 p.m. First News Anchor Lindsey Watson is also an ambassador for the event this year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Local leaders to speak at Good Morning Youngstown event
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – It's a good morning Thursday in Youngstown. The Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Good Morning Youngstown event at Stambaugh Auditorium. Mayor Tito Brown will give his State of the City Address. Michael Latessa with the Rich Center for Autism at Youngstown State University and Paul Garchar of Potential Development School for students with autism will speak on their organizations and on Autism Acceptance Month in April. Dorian Smith, senior vice president of business development at 7-17 Credit Union, also plans to speak. The credit union is administering about $13 million of the city's American Rescue Plan funding on various programs to improve housing in the city. Youngstown City School District Superintendent Jeremy Batchelor also is scheduled to speak. Many questions expected to be answered, including the future and state of the city and an update on city schooling. The event comes nearly a year after the explosion of the Realty Building, leading to the demolition of the building and putting a temporary halt to construction downtown. Good Morning Youngstown will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
