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Creating Opportunity with Training and Clay | July 30, 2018

By Jeremy Lydic SHARON, Pa. -- Wearing medical scrubs and a white lab coat, Calette Robinson applies a blood pressure cuff to Martina Moore, her classmate at the Hope Center for Arts and Technology. The class of eight is in the center’s lab room practicing what they’ve learned. Robinson is...

Walker Shapes Clay and Learns Lessons for Life | July 30, 2018

Christian Walker, founder of Animatr Apparel, wearing his "Humble Tee."

By Jeremy Lydic SHARON, Pa. — To some, the process of “throwing clay” might seem perfectly straightforward: Put the clay on the pottery wheel, shape it, fire and glaze it. But for Christian Walker, the process parallels many aspects of life. Walker was a sophomore at Farrell High School when he heard Bill Strickland speak […]

By Jeremy Lydic SHARON, Pa. -- To some, the process of “throwing clay” might seem perfectly straightforward: Put the clay on the pottery wheel, shape it, fire and glaze it. But for Christian Walker, the process parallels many aspects of life. Walker was a sophomore at Farrell High School when...

YMCA’s Impact Goes Well Beyond Fitness | July 10, 2018

YMCA of Youngstown Impact Goes Well Beyond Fitness

By Jeremy Lydic YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- In September 2017, Richard Balog had “a bump” a bit smaller than a tennis ball surgically removed from behind his ear. His doctor said there was a 2% chance it was cancerous. “Well,” Balog says, “I ended up with the 2%.” Chemotherapy cleared up...

Animal Welfare League Finds ‘Forever Homes’ | June 1, 2018

By Jeremy Lydic WARREN, Ohio -- When Lezlie Chronister’s husband’s dog died, he wanted to get another. But Chronister’s answer was matter-of-fact. “I was like, ‘No. I don’t want another dog,’ ” she says. “We’re not getting a dog. It’s just another thing to take care of.” Her answer didn’t...

France Teaches Kids Pet Responsibility | June 1, 2018

France Teaches Kids Pet Responsibility

By Jeremy Lydic WARREN, Ohio -- Alpha might be the perfect dog to help teach kids about pet responsibility and safety. He never bites. He doesn’t jump or bark. He obeys all commands perfectly. He won’t make a mess. And, he’s light enough to carry under one arm. He’s also...

Flying High Creates Second Chances | May 4, 2018

flying high inc

Nonprofit provides job training, addiction recovery services By Jeremy Lydic Ask Rontrell White why he enrolled in Flying High Inc.’s welding program and he’ll tell you in one word – “Change.” The 29-year-old has been in and out of prison for selling drugs. His incarceration resulted from growing up in...

Inspiring Minds Alumni Inspire Others to Follow | March 26, 2018

Inspiring Minds alumni Jalaya Provitt and Marvin Logan have returned home to work with Deryck Toles and his program

By Jeremy Lydic An electrical engineer with the U.S. Department of Defense. A program assistant for a nonprofit founded by pop star Usher Raymond. A budding entrepreneur and philanthropist. These are what three people accomplished by their mid-20s – and all three are Inspiring Minds alumni. Warren G. Harding High School classmates...

Developing the Potential in Every Child | March 13, 2018

potential development children with autism

By Jeremy Lydic YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – To someone unfamiliar with the computer game Minecraft, a 14-year-old boy building a yellow Creeper character with cardboard boxes might seem like a simple art project. But to Dylan Oxley, it represents much more. Oxley is a high school freshman at Potential Development, a...