The YSU Foundation and the Dana School of Music are celebrating a new endowment that will bear the name of a longtime and beloved Youngstown educator.

The initial $300,000 gift will support the Elba Navarro Youngstown Community Music Project.
Elba's widower Flor "Shorty" Navarro is behind this new endowment in his late wife's memory.
She taught for 30 years in Youngstown City Schools and served on the board of the YSU Foundation after she retired.

The money means that Youngstown City School students will get private music tutoring from Dana students at YSU.
It'll also give them the chance to get exposed to classical music through classroom instruction and concerts on Saturdays at no cost.

The Foundation tells 21 News this endowment will only grow with time and reach more students.

"Anyone can give to them to help them grow and continue to provide aid in perpetuity. So we expect to receive more gifts from the community as the endowment continues to grow," says Endowment Stewardship Coordinator Tiffanie Thomas.

The Foundation also says this venture will expand current programs and bring new initiatives that will partner with Youngstown Schools.