MAHONING COUNTY Character program promoted

The good character traits are to be adopted both at home and at work.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning County can build a brighter future for its youth by becoming a community of good character, a report says.
Local business and government leaders are being asked to sign on to a program that promotes character in all aspects of daily living, said Anne Louise White, comprehensive strategy coordinator.
Officials were to release a position paper today that was developed by the county's Comprehensive Strategy group. The paper, about a year in the making, calls for the community to adopt character traits of integrity, respect, citizenship, self-control, fairness, responsibility and compassion.
By signing the position paper, individuals, organizations and businesses agree to adopt those character traits in their homes as well as their workplaces, White said.
Research has shown that communities that demonstrate clear standards and healthy beliefs provide a protective environment that encourages healthy behavior in youth, she said.
"If children see those clear standards, they will model after it," White said. "It's really important for youth to see that we are a community of character."
The problem is that for too many years there has been a community acceptance of criminal, unethical, antisocial and unhealthy behaviors, the paper says. Community polarization and prejudice have been tolerated too long.
The community must work together to change that, White said.
Signed up: Judge Theresa Dellick of Mahoning County Juvenile Court said the court is signing on because she sees a need to improve the quality of life for youth. The court is also the lead agency for the comprehensive strategy project, she said.
"Youngstown and Mahoning County are notorious for their fiefdoms," the judge said. "We have to do away with that and all get on the same page."
Other "pace-setter" companies who have signed the paper are Bank One, Compco Industries, Humility of Mary Health Partners, Metropolitan National Bank, Youngstown State University, Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way, Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber and Mahoning County Family and Children First Council.
The character traits are to be incorporated "into the culture of the workplace" through mission statements, policies and procedures, job descriptions and evaluations, orientations and professional development activities, the position paper says.
"Even just recognizing employees for their efforts speaks to good character," White said. "And we certainly don't do that often enough."
bjackson@vindy.com