Youngstown nonprofit benefiting cancer patients celebrates 10 years, expands space
The Mahoning Valley community voted Yellow Brick Place as the non-profit of the year in 2024 for the organization’s longtime commitment to helping local cancer patients in recovery.
Executive director Kathleen Moliterno said Yellow Brick Place was created to be “the missing link between a cancer diagnosis and recovery.”
“We’re very proud of what we do,” she said. “We help the entire family, the caregivers, loved ones, in any facet that they need, and most especially the cancer patient. We help patients deal with the effects of going through this trauma - we do that in a myriad of ways.”
This year, Yellow Brick Place expanded to take up more space at 2959 Canfield Road in Youngstown, doubling the amount of space for programs and more private rooms.
Yellow Brick Place in Youngstown was founded ten years ago in Youngstown by Donna Detwiler and Anna Aey, according to Moliterno.
“It’s just such a rewarding place to be and to get to work to see what this impact has on individuals going through the fight of their lives,” she said. “We make sure that when they leave here, they feel like a million dollars.”
The nonprofit provides free fitting and wigs for patients who have lost their hair through chemotherapy or radiation.
“What we provide is new hope and happiness, that when they walk out of here, they’re going to feel like themselves again for the first time in a long time,” Moliterno said. “That makes all the difference. We say there’s this magic that happens between when someone walks in and when they walk out. It’s just incredible, the change in their spirits.”
When someone comes in for a wig, Moliterno explained they walk out with absolutely everything they need to take care of their new do.
“They get the Styrofoam head, drying rack, cleaning products and a little travel packet of everything that they could need. They get earrings and hats and turbans,” Moliterno said. “We also have a beauty class with free makeup, too. Our number one thing that we make sure everyone has eyebrow pencils, because when someone has chemotherapy, they lose all of their hair, including their eyebrows.”
Yellow Brick Place also offers wellness programs like chair yoga, tai chi and five different support groups.
“We have incredible facilitators that provide the classes for us,” Moliterno said. “While the classes help with movement and keeping their bodies physically healthier, it’s also about the camaraderie that they build with each other. Usually by the time they leave, they all have a support chain. If somebody new comes in, they add them to it, so that they have people that they could talk to.”
Yellow Brick Place is celebrating its tenth anniversary year with the Spring into Our New Decade Raffle on April 3.
All the proceeds from ticket sales go to help local cancer patients, which are $25 each or five for $100.
Call (234) 228-9550 or visit the nonprofit’s website to make a donation and get more information.
This story was originally published February 14, 2025 at 5:03 AM.
