Clarett’s Red Zone Treatment Center Welcomes Justice
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Maurice Clarett welcomed Ohio Supreme Court Justice Sharon L. Kennedy to The Red Zone Monday, a drug and alcohol outpatient program he established in August 2016 at 229 W. Woodland Ave. here and last August in Columbus.
Justice Kennedy was joined by Youngstown State University President Jim Tressel, Municipal Court Judge Carla Baldwin and Duanne Piccirilli, executive director of the Mental Health and Recovery Board, and others for a tour of The Red Zone and an explanation of its programs.
“You can give someone hope, be inspiring and touch their hand, but it’s much more difficult to show them the path and the way out,” she said.
The Red Zone is owned by Clarett’s mother, Michelle. The organization employs 135 between the two locations and “serves about 1,350 clients,” according to Eartha Terrell, spokeswoman.
During her visit, Justice Kennedy participated in a breakfast meeting that examined collaborative efforts to develop and implement programs that focus on drug and alcohol treatment, recidivism prevention for previously incarcerated citizens.
“To be incarcerated at the lowest point in your life, and be the reason your mother cries, to redeeming yourself to such a pinnacle that you become a resource to your community is an opportunity that I don’t take for granted,” said Maurice Clarett.
Clarett was instrumental in Ohio State University’s football team, coached by Tressel, winning the national championship in 2002. He later was kicked out of the program, dropped out of school and ended up spending nearly four years in prison after being convicted of robbery.
Pictured at top: Youngstown State University President Jim Tressel, Youngstown City Council President DeMaine Kitchen, Youngstown Municipal Court Judge Carla Baldwin, Ohio Supreme Court Justice Sharon L. Kennedy, The Red Zone Owner Michelle Clarett and The Red Zone Founder Maurice Clarett.
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
