Needle’s Eye camp in Brookfield to teach youth R-E-S-P-E-C-T

By Linda M. Linonis

YOUNGSTOWN — “It’s a cultural experience and a vacation” is how Irma Davis, director of the Needle’s Eye Christian Counseling Center, described an upcoming summer camp for inner-city youths.

The center, 74 Kenmore Ave., through Southside Ministries, will hold the camp Friday through Sunday at Joseph Badger Meadows Camp and Conference Center in Brookfield. Davis said the camp is in its 19th year.

Davis said members of the Good News Club, ranging in age from 5 to 17, participate in the overnight camp. “For some, it’s their first vacation,” she said, noting that 110 inner-city youths are expected. Adults will serve as counselors, cooks, chaperones, mentors, speakers and spiritual advisers.

This year’s theme is “Respect,” with singer Aretha Franklin’s spin on it. “The idea is about how to position yourself for respect,” Davis said.

Davis said she is very excited about the keynote speaker’s appearance. “We’ve tried for 10 years to get him and we finally did,” she said.

That speaker is Alfred “Coach” Powell of Dayton, founder, president and chief executive officer of the Human Motivation Council and Human Motivation Circle, also based in Dayton. The council and circle provide services to underserved urban and rural communities, working with school districts, churches, drug courts, prisons, juvenile detention centers and social service agencies to motivate young people to value and take responsibility for their own educational experience. The council also offers mentoring programs.

Mrs. Davis described him as a “bold, fearless advocate for urban youth, families, educators and service providers.” Powell is the author of “Message N/A Bottle: The 40 oz. Scandal” and “Hip Hop Hypocrisy: When Lies Sound Like the Truth.” Powell will speak to the campers Saturday morning. He also will speak from 3 to 5 p.m. that day to the staff and others. Those interested in attending the talk should call the Needle’s Eye at (330) 744-1582 to make a reservation as space is limited.

Read the full story Monday

in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.