Monday, April 24, 2006
The couple believe the house they chose for the group home is perfect.
By MARY ELLEN PELLEGRIN
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
ELLSWORTH -- For George and Beth Syrianoudis of Canfield, their proposed group home for boys, Redemption House, represents a year of research and planning and a commitment to the welfare of children.
Foster parents for 10 years and parents of seven children, two of whom are adopted, the couple believe the family-type setting of a group residence offers a viable atmosphere for assisting troubled youths.
Knowing placements for teenage boys can be especially difficult, the Syrianoudises recently purchased a house at 11780 Western Reserve Road here, and applied for a group home license through the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
The facility will comply with all federal, state and local regulations, George Syrianoudis added, including installation of a larger septic system if required.
A decision on the license application won't be known for one to two months. If all goes as planned, Redemption House will accept up to 10 males ages 13 to 18 this summer.
Quotable
"Basically we're trying to give these kids some love, guidance, structure and stability in their lives so they can function in society on their own," Syrianoudis said.
This endeavor, however, is raising concerns from some nearby residents.
John Bates said that while neighbors are happy to assist children, apprehension over Redemption House centers on zoning, septic systems, the population being served and potential effects on the local school.
Wording on Redemption House's brochure -- chronic AWOL, oppositionally defiant, severely behaviorally handicapped, unruly, school behavior problems and attachment disorders -- contributed to residents' concerns, Bates said.
"We are all looking for some clarification on what these things mean," he added.
Syrianoudis said he understands the neighbors' concerns and wants to set the record straight. He'll have that chance at 8 p.m. Tuesday, when there will be an informational meeting on Redemption House at Western Reserve High School.
His selection of the Ellsworth home resulted from a six-month search, he said.
"We didn't select the community [of Ellsworth]. We selected a house." The Ellsworth home's open floor plan, efficient use of space, 21/2-acre grassy lot and state-of-the-art security system fit the project's needs.
"You walk in and you have a sense of peace and tranquility, which is exactly what we want to give to these boys who have had a lot of upheaval in their lives."
Bates, however, believes a property such as Serenity House in Canfield, which previously served as a group residence and is up for auction, might serve the teen's needs better and avoid possible zoning violations.
According to the Fair Housing Act of 1968 and the Fair Housing Amendment of 1988, a group home is legally considered a residence that meets the R-1 zoning classification, Syrianoudis said.
"I invested my own personal life savings into this property," he said, adding no tax dollars paid for the home.
Buying an appropriate dwelling was crucial because "you have to have a residence before you can get licensed. There are certain requirements the house has to meet [including] a fire inspection and space requirements."
Acknowledging concerns about draining school district resources, Syrianoudis said that until teens are assigned to the home, educational placements can't be decided.
Educational program
Mrs. Syrianoudis, a teacher certified for severely behaviorally handicapped youths, will oversee the educational program and determine placements on a case-by-case basis.
Options include home-schooling through the Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow (an online, tuition-free, public school that meets Ohio graduation requirements) and alternative schools.
Traditional schools will be considered for "those kids that show they can handle that type of responsibility, won't be behavioral problems, [and] won't cause a major disruption," George Syrianoudis said.
Bates said residents have questions about school funding issues should additional personnel or busing be required. "Out in the country there's no tax base except us," he said.
The residents' funding concerns also extend to safety forces. Bates said Mahoning County's financial crisis forced the sheriff's substation here to close. "There's basically no police protection out here," he added.
Addressing concerns about security, Syrianoudis said Redemption House won't accept boys with criminal records, sex offenders or anyone with an arson past.
He said the facility will be manned by trained staff 24 hours a day. In addition to Syrianoudis, president of Redemption Inc. and his wife, who is vice president, the facility will be run by a house manager and part-time administrative assistant. Five full-time and four part-time staffers also will be hired.
Syrianoudis said he is investing heavily in experienced personnel to maintain stability.
"We're going to pay our staff quite a bit more than what the average group home pays their staff, including benefits for full-time employees," he said.