Mahoning youth choirs clash for cash to fight crime

YOUNGSTOWN — A Mahoning County judge has found a somewhat unusual way to award grant money for programs designed to keep kids out of trouble.

Judge Theresa Dellick of Mahoning County Juvenile Court is having a “Clash of the Choirs”-type program with the performers getting points toward their grant proposals. The best performances will get the more points, and a better chance of a larger grant.

The idea was approved by the state Department of Youth Services, which is watching it closely, according to Bonnie Lohrman of Judge Dellick’s staff and a committee member for the event. If it’s a success, the department could encourage duplication of it in other counties, said Lorhman.

Judge Dellick received about $80,000 in state money for juvenile court diversion programs. But instead of keeping the money in the court system, she wanted to distribute it in the community. Proposals for juvenile crime prevention programs were solicited from churches, schools and nonprofit agencies.

The committee pared the proposals to 14 finalists, who have assembled youth choirs that will vie for the grants in a musical program — titled “Coming Together for Prevention in Perfect Harmony” — at 10 a.m. Saturday at Stambaugh Auditorium. Tickets are free but must be obtained in advance by calling Richard Vendetti at (330) 740-2278. Tickets will not be available at the door.

Judge Dellick said the competition itself has crime-prevention qualities.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.