Officials name Mahone to serve as youth director

The program's initial focus is on youth activities on Friday nights this summer.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- With the last day of school quickly approaching, kids will be looking for something to do this summer.
Officials with the city, school district and Mahoning County Juvenile Court want to make sure kids, particularly those in Youngstown's inner city, are kept busy with positive activities during the summer. Those officials announced Wednesday that Andrea Mahone, community director of Increase the Peace, will serve as community youth director.
The three entities along with others in the community created Increase the Peace last year to promote positive activities for children.
Activities
As community youth director, Mahone will organize and coordinate activities for children this summer. The initial focus is on an activity every Friday between 5 and 9 p.m. between June 30 and Aug. 25. The schedule of events isn't finalized.
"We want a place where our youth can come and hang out," Mahone said. "We want to stop the violence and increase the love."
All of the activities are scheduled in Youngstown, although children from all communities are invited to attend. Among the activities are basketball, football, line dancing, listening to inspirational speakers, and just being in a safe, fun environment with other children, Mahone said.
"The plan is to provide a regular slate of things to do," said Mayor Jay Williams. "The idea is to fill the summer with fun activities. People say, 'There's nothing to do in Youngstown,' and that's not true. Here's a perfect example. These are activities the city is offering to its youth."
Funding
The city is giving $20,000 to the program from its Community Development Agency budget, and the county juvenile court is providing $20,000. The school district is providing space at its board of education office and a computer system for the program.
The program also is seeking private and corporate donations, and recently received $5,000 from the Ohio District Council Inc. of Assemblies of God church.
skolnick@vindy.com