YOUNGSTOWN Institute grads learn to be advocates

A diverse group of parents and professionals are now graduates of PLTI.
By SEAN BARRON
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- In September, Antoinette Buxton, Sonya Fleshman and Peggye Moraghan were strangers. Now, they're friends and advocates.
They and 18 other Youngstowners graduated Tuesday from the Parent Leadership Training Institute -- weekly sessions for parents and professionals on how to become community leaders and influence social policies and services. They also learned how to deal with bureaucracy.
The goal is not only to help themselves, but to share their new knowledge with others.
Several shared stories, as well as what the 20 classes have done for them.
Opened her eyes: "It's empowered us to have a voice. We put people in power and we can take them out of office," Fleshman said, referring to greater awareness of the Mahoning Valley's political corruption.
JoAnne Wright, of the Youngstown Crime Prevention Resource Center, talked about how she has benefited.
"We're able to share feelings with each other and experience everyone's different situation," she said. "We've built a community together in groups."
Several discussed changes and improvements they want to see. Buxton mentioned a community center for children and more police protection for her neighborhood.
Some people are afraid to seek services to which they are entitled. Others don't know how to use the system to get what they need, said Suzanne Barbati, PLTI's organizer.
"We want to give participants the knowledge to follow their passion and address institutions, which can be intimidating," Barbati said, adding that PLTI also showed the group how to overcome barriers to have a positive impact.
The program: PLTI offered two 10-week sessions. The first was spent building support and learning how service agencies work. The other offered effective ways to address those agencies and systems.
Moraghan recently got custody of Jessica Smith, her 15-year-old granddaughter. The Park Vista worker said PLTI has enabled her to get more services for Jessica, who is deaf.
For Lelia Brady, PLTI training has "helped me learn to be a better parent and develop programs for other parents."
Barbati said participants were required to attend a September retreat and that a committee of about five people interviewed each.
More than 60 local businesses and the Youngstown City School District offered financial and other support.