Executive from MYCAP learned the importance of investing in yourself

By Don Shilling

The Youngstown woman assesses the community’s needs and develops programs to meet them.

Wilma Torres has lived the message she preaches throughout the city to youth, would-be entrepreneurs and people who have been poor all their lives.

“I have a hunger to invest in myself and move to the next level,” said Torres, director of planning and development for Mahoning Youngstown Community Action Partnership, or MYCAP.

The 50-year-old South Side resident has accomplished much in her career and in the community, but she said her greatest achievement was when she realized she had to invest in herself.

Torres, who came to Youngstown from Puerto Rico as a baby, earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in education from Youngstown State University.

Later, she felt unsatisfied. As she continued on her career, she wanted to learn more about the business world even though she was concerned about the cost and time it would take.

She eventually earned a master’s degree in business administration from YSU by taking a loan and going to class every Saturday for 18 months.

She encourages others in the community to take what steps they can to prepare themselves for the future.

“When no one cares about you, you have to care about yourself,” she said.

Torres started with MYCAP in 1981 as a Head Start teacher. She later was named Head Start assistant director and was promoted to her current position eight years ago.

MYCAP offers a variety of education, nutrition and energy programs, but Torres stresses the agency’s role on advising people to become self-sufficient.

The agency provides workshops for smaller nonprofit agencies and business development services for those wishing to become entrepreneurs.

It’s Torres’ job to evaluate the needs of the community and develop programs to fill them.

In addition to clients of MYCAP, Torres passes along her message to members of the Latinas United Networking Association.

She and four other women founded the nonprofit organization as a way for Hispanic women to network and share resources so they could support each other in their professions.

The five-year-old agency has 30 members, a scholarship program and recently received a grant to survey the attitudes of Hispanic youth.

shilling@vindy.com