MAHONING VALLEY Area needs to cultivate jobs, positive image, teenagers say

Students said they're looking for adults to provide leadership.
By ROGER G. SMITH
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning Valley kids want the mind-set, image and job conditions of the region to change, and they want today's adults to help.
That's a sampling of what Valley high school students told community and business leaders Friday about the future.
"You won't get quality of jobs when your image is poor," said Brad Sfara, a Canfield sophomore.
He and about 60 other high school students spent the morning at the Youngstown Club. They talked with dozens of local leaders at the Youth Employability Solutions Student Summit.
The event gives kids and adults a chance to listen to each other, said Ginny Pasha, president of Youth Employability Solutions. The nonprofit agency operates programs to help students succeed academically and in the working world.
Local leaders often talk about the future. But they do so without a key perspective, Pasha said.
"The voice that was always missing was the voice of the young people," she said.
Talk centered on what would improve the area's future quality of life and keep today's students from leaving town.
Jobs and education
Students said besides family and friends, jobs and the availability of quality education would keep them here. But Rasheia Kitchen, a senior at The Rayen School and Choffin Career Center, said she doesn't see anything keeping her in the city.
Kitchen expects to pursue a culinary arts career out of state. She wants to live somewhere with a wider variety of things to do. Kitchen said she would consider staying or returning if that developed here.
Youths talked about the need to change negative perceptions of the area. More positive images of the area in the press would help, said Matthew Linsley, an East Palestine senior.
Students said residents need a more positive outlook on the future and they are looking for adults to provide that leadership.
Kids are looking for adults to be mentors and help pave the way for students to be successful, said Katina Hazimihalis, a Campbell senior.
Adults impressed
Jennifer Damico, a Choffin Career Center teacher who led one of several discussion groups, was surprised to hear the value that students put on education.
Students clearly expressing they want more adult involvement in their lives and futures also struck her.
Don Cagigas, president of the Youngstown Mahoning Valley United Way, was impressed that the students recognize jobs are an overarching issue. "They're thinking about it already. It tells me we have a real issue on jobs," he said.
Community leaders would be smart to follow some of their suggestions, such as focusing on reversing pervasive negative attitudes in the area, Cagigas said.
"They sensed that things aren't right. That's good."
rgsmith@vindy.com