Activist outlines plans for group aimed at kids

The group's first budget tops $1 million.
YOUNGSTOWN -- A new charitable organization with a broad agenda -- but no money -- plans to make sweet music for city youths.
Patricia A. Owens of Youngstown outlined the plans for the Whole Man Ministries during a meeting Saturday at Heart Reach Ministries on the city's North Side.
"We are getting ready to do a lot of things in the community for the youth," Owens said.
The group and its Stopping the Violence Committee is a nonprofit organization with a board of directors, she said. It plans to offer drug and alcohol counseling, educational seminars, food and clothing assistance, art performances, transportation, sporting events, a drill team and music. The group also plans to offer paying jobs for youths.
Owens also wants to see a skating rink return to the city.
"Back in the day, skating was big," she said. "We need to bring all that back to the inner city," adding that the city used to have everything for kids.
She said that she had just been looking at a building that would serve as the group's headquarters.
The group's first budget tops $1 million, but Owens said the group has no money. But she said she plans to meet with city officials to find out how to obtain various grants.
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Owens recalled growing up in Youngstown when children could stay up late on summer evenings and families slept with only screen doors separating them from the outdoors. "We didn't have anything to worry about," Owens said.
The group hopes its programs will help reverse the city's violent crime statistics.
Owens said she is also a rap singer "and I love what I do."
The ministry is working with Hi-Praz Network Inc., and M.usic A.rtist C.onsulting, both of Chicago, which offer a variety of services to help musicians develop their skills and careers.
A showcase of local talent was offered at Heart Reach later Saturday.
Veronica Arnold of M.usic A.rtist C.onsulting said the event was to help singers sharpen their skills before a larger musical event at the Orthodox Center on North Belle Vista Avenue at 6 p.m. April 29.