By Stacia Erdos
Regional Development Executive, Coleman Health Services
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Jill was homeless and at her lowest point. After finding Coleman Health Services in Warren, she is now thriving. At Coleman, Jill was provided counseling, psychiatric help and employment services. She is now sober, has a safe place to live, a driver’s license, and has purchased her own car.
She is just one of nearly 5,000 Mahoning Valley clients served by the nonprofit at its locations on Courthouse Square in Warren, and on Belmont Avenue in Youngstown.
While staffing is still a challenge, in Youngstown, Coleman now has a full slate of case managers. They help clients access community resources, advocate for their well-being, and provide skills to alleviate mental health symptoms. When the Realty Tower explosion happened in downtown Youngstown last year, case managers were there to help the more than a dozen Coleman clients in International Towers relocate and continue to receive services.
“Our case managers are dedicated to the clients they work with,” says Catherine Blankenship, chief officer of Coleman Mahoning Valley. “They have been able to assist many clients in preventing homelessness and removing barriers to recovery.”
In Trumbull County, despite staffing shortages, counselors have been able to meet client needs and provide quality clinical care. Crisis services are available 24/7. Coleman also operates three residential housing sites in Warren.
In a major undertaking in 2024, Coleman implemented a new electronic health record system across its 42-county footprint. This enabled Coleman to streamline workflows and create uniformity across all facilities.
And for the first time, Coleman received a significant investment from the city of Youngstown with a grant to help with rapid rehousing and homelessness prevention, and a grant for a new roof and heating system, both to be installed in 2025.
Homeless gap funding from local foundations has enabled Coleman to assist clients with back rent, utilities and vehicle repairs to avoid loss of employment. Funding from local United Ways provided hygiene kits for clients. Foundation funding has also enabled Coleman to provide free services to Youngstown State University students.
Coleman is continuing its partnership with the Appalachian Regional Commission to develop a recovery network with providers and employers who are willing to become recovery friendly workplaces. The goal of this program is to assist individuals with substance abuse or behavioral health problems to find supportive employment and treatment services. It also helps employers retain valued employees who may be struggling.
Coleman staff have been visible in the community holding a neighborhood trunk-or-treat for children and participating in the Panerathon and African American Male Wellness Day.
In the spring, 350 community members attended Coleman’s third annual Unmute the Uncomfortable symposium on Equity and Mental Health.The keynote speaker, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, focused on women’s mental health.
This year, Coleman will bring in NBC Washington correspondent Yamiche Alcindor, and entrepreneur and winner of “The Apprentice,” Dr. Randall Pinkett for its Unmute symposium April 3 at Eastwood Event Centre.
Coleman was founded in 1978 in Portage County and employs 60 in the Mahoning Valley. The nonprofit has 840 total employees who serve 41,000 clients Ohio under the direction of CEO Hattie Tracy.