Thursday, March 31, 2011
The Vindicator (Youngstown)
Photo
Glen Williams, executive director of One Step to Life, shows off a flier about one of the organization’s support programs. One Step had a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday to show off its new offices on Midlothian Boulevard in Youngstown. One Step seeks to work with inner-city youths to stem crime and family violence
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Some offerings
One Step to Life Inc. had an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday to showcase its new office and programming site at 3610 Southern Blvd. on Youngstown’s South Side, and to give people a better idea of how it’s reaching out to the community. For more information, call 330-330-8569, or visit the website www.onesteptolife.com.
OSTL’s programs include:
Federal bonding program: A tool to help applicants get and keep jobs. It is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Life After Prison support group: It meets from 5 to 6 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays at OSTL. People returning to society discuss issues and challenges they’re facing and receive mentoring.
Youth Council for Leaders: Program designed to build leadership skills and offers peer-to-peer mentoring for those age 10 to 21. Meets at 5 p.m. Tuesdays at OSTL.
Free income-tax assistance: Now through April 18.
Workshops and trainings: Topics include anger and stress management, conflict resolution, neighborhood revitalization, harassment and bullying, parenting skills and making positive choices.
Referrals: The outreach program provides information to people for medical and basic needs, housing and drug rehabilitation.
Source: One Step to Life Inc.
By Sean Barron
YOUNGSTOWN
The past 11 years have seen Glen Williams going from serving time to serving his community.
“I came home from prison in 2000, and I want to give back,” Williams said, referring to the main reason he started One Step to Life Inc. “The community has accepted me with open arms.”
Many community members were on hand for Wednesday’s open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony to usher in the opening of One Step’s new office and programming site, 3610 Southern Blvd., on the city’s South Side.
OSTL has grown during the last two years and has served hundreds of Mahoning Valley residents in many ways, noted Williams, executive director.
The organization’s main mission is to eliminate youth-on-youth and family violence, drug abuse and other crimes while meeting the needs of youngsters and their families.
OSTL’s services include youth programming in schools, a re-entry support program for people leaving prison, numerous workshops and assistance with job searches and income-tax preparation.
Along those lines, Ervin Cowan, an OSTL manager, spends a lot of time tutoring and offering guidance to help many students in the Youngstown city schools develop higher self-esteem and stay focused on making positive choices.
Cowan, a 1988 Cardinal Mooney High School graduate who worked seven years for Gateways for Better Living Inc., said he tries to help students keep their priorities on track.
“I’m trying to tell the kids that material things are not important,” he explained. “Just stay focused on your life and education so you can be better in life.”
OSTL has formed numerous partnerships, including one with the Ohio Benefit Bank, an online service that assists people with completing applications to obtain benefits, noted Angie Hakeem, OBB’s tri-county trainer.
Benefits and resources include cash assistance, a food-stamp program, child-care services and Medicaid, Hakeem said.
One Step soon will work with Goodness Grows, a faith-based organization formed in 2007 that aims to improve access to healthful foods and economic opportunity through regenerative agriculture, noted Greg Bowman, executive director.
Williams also talks to students at ITT Technical School in Youngstown about job-interview strategies and staying on a positive course, as well as his own experiences, noted Katie Foster, an ITT career services specialist.
“He’s just very approachable, and anybody can utilize his services,” Foster said, adding that she’s worked with Williams nearly two years.
One of those supporting Williams’ services and efforts is police Chief Jimmy Hughes, who said organizations such as One Step are making a positive impact in the city.
Williams said he recently started receiving grants and donations, but has used mainly his own money to build OSTL.