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Counts helps put center in Warren on a proper PATH
The executive director is proud of extending services and programs to Warren.
YOUNGSTOWN — The services and programs developed by Millicent S. Counts, United Methodist Community Center executive director, have added up during her tenure and addressed multiple needs.
Counts, who is retiring in July after 31 years, said she is most proud of extending services to a second site: The former Rebecca Williams Center in Warren became the United Methodist Community Center.
“The national church asked us to provide services,” she said. “We took the building and extended our services there.”
Counts oversees an annual budget of $1.4 million, which comes from various funding sources including the government, the national Methodist church, individuals, trusts and foundations. It is a United Way agency. There are 34 staff members.
Two years ago, Counts started PATH, Physical Activities That Heal, at the Youngstown site at 334 N. Pearl St., and Warren site at 760 Main Ave. S.W. “Anything that keeps you moving,” is how Counts describes the program.
Activities include line dancing, karate and nutrition education, hip-hop aerobics, yoga, cardio-mix aerobics and cheerleading mini-camp; call the site for specific information. PATH is open to 7-year-olds to seniors and is free.
Other programs, developed under Counts’ leadership, include:
UStopLift, a preventive and educational course for adults and juveniles who have been convicted of shoplifting.
UG.A.I.L (Getting Ahead in Life) for girls and B.I.L.L. (Building Individual Life Lessons) for boys, school-based mentoring for students in third through 12th grades in Mahoning and Trumbull counties.
ULadies of Knowledge Book Club in Warren, community residents discuss books.
USummer Day Camp, an eight-week program at Youngstown and Warren sites. Juanita Pasley is program director for both sites. For information on specific programs, call the Youngstown site at (330) 743-5149 and Warren, (330) 373-6480.
As part of its nutrition program at the Youngstown site, there will be a cooking demonstration on broccoli from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday and a cooking contest starting at noon Saturday. The center bought ingredients with a grant and adult and youth participants submitted recipes, which the nutritionist modified to make healthier.
UMCC also had provided the Truancy Intervention Program (TIP) in Mahoning and Trumbull county schools. “We went into the homes ... you can find out so much more,” she said. “We used the resources in the area. It was a wonderful partnership.”
Because of budget constraints, TIP was cut in Mahoning County. Counts said she is working on alternative funding. “Money is so tight,” she said.