Director's goal: Get kids involved

The official's game plan is 'to expose youths to the possibilities of their success.'
By SARAH POULTON
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Andrea Mahone is busy setting activities in motion for area young people after just three months as the city's first appointed community youth director.
Increase the Peace is another organization she is involved in, and the two positions are directly related: They both aim to form a coalition with other nonprofits to prevent gang-related violence.
Though Mahone is in a fairly new position, having been appointed May 31, she is no stranger to the area youths. She has been working with them for more than 20 years and has a feel for what they want to see.
Mahone has organized, or assisted with, many new programs for area youth.
"My challenge is to get as many youth involved in as many activities as possible," she said.
"My goal is to beef-up the events and let the kids know that things are going on."
What's going on
As community youth director, Mahone introduced Monday Night Movies at Wick Park. They are open to everyone, and they encourage families to bring blankets and chairs to enjoy a movie on the 20-foot screen. There is a concession stand with refreshments. This event usually attracts 100 to 150 people a week.
On Friday nights, there is a Round Robin. For this weekly event, organizers go to a different side of town to have basketball and football, line dancing or PlayStation tournaments.
Clubs for Kids is another program brought to the area by Increase the Peace.
Area youngsters ages 6 to 16 are provided with a week of golf lessons for two hours a day. After they have completed their lessons, they are given a free set of clubs.
Mahone said that she doesn't care what the young people get involved with -- just that they get involved.
"My game plan is simple," Mahone said. "It is to expose youth to the possibilities of their success, whether it be education or employment ... I think that Youngstown will change and I believe Youngstown will have a bright future."
Peace march planned
On Saturday, there will be a rally called the 500 Youth Peace March, which is sponsored by Christian Revival and Discipleship Center. The march from Hayes Middle School to the former Jefferson Elementary will end with a carnival.
"We're marching to take our streets back," Mahone said. "Youths in this city are tired of the crime and violence caused by gangs."
Mahone planned all of these activities to take place in Youngstown, but children from all areas are invited. Not only does she want to keep youths off the streets and out of gangs, but she wants to prove to them that Youngstown is a neat place, and there are plenty of legal activities in which they can participate.
"I want the youth to stop and look around Youngstown and realize how awesome this place is," Mahone said. "I also want to create hope for them. I think a lot of youth have lost sight of future possibilities. By bringing the youth together, we can start to build hope."
spoulton@vindy.com