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Ministry reaches for hearts
By LINDA M. LINONIS
Youngstown
Pastor Tarone Claybrook describes Heart Reach Ministries as “ministry driven, family focused and community minded.”
As executive director, he sees firsthand how those words turn into action in Heart Reach activities and programs. The phrases are echoed on its website, www.heartreach.com, and in literature about the nonprofit organization.
Heart Reach was recently recognized for its child-care and after-school programs. It received a letter of appreciation from the office of Gov. John Kasich and a proclamation from the city.
Pastor Claybrook said Heart Reach provides services and activities for children from 6 weeks through 19 years old.
For nearly 25 years, Heart Reach has carried out its mission — helping at-risk, inner-city children and their parents. That was the goal of the five churches that founded Heart Reach in 1988.
“We’re family-focused in that children are the priority. We help children by helping families with economic and social problems,” Pastor Claybrook said. Low-cost or subsidized child care allows families to work or attend to other responsibilities while children are in a safe environment, he said.
The ministry-driven part is evidenced by Christian principles incorporated in lessons and recreation. There are 45 church partners and other nonprofit agencies lending support. It is funded mainly through donations from churches and individuals.
The community-minded part works in cooperation with the Juvenile Justice Center, Mahoning County Children Services, the mayor’s office, Character Connex and NOW Youngstown.
“Through day care, we meet with the parents and see unfolding problems,” Pastor Claybrook said. He said Heart Reach staff might see a need for clothing, medical care and other services. “We help the parents solve these things,” he said. “Then we can better identify what’s going on at home and what it will take to be productive.”
The Super Kids Christian Child Care Center sets its goals as “seeing children succeed spiritually, socially and educationally.” Open year-round, the center caters to infants from 6 weeks to school-age.
The preschool is for 3- to 5-year olds. “Everything relates to education,” Pastor Claybrook said. “We fulfill the preschool standards set by the state.” Reading, writing and math are part of the curriculum.
Teacher Alice Marshall, who also oversees tutoring, works with special-needs children. “We’ve found that if children have 80 percent attendance over a three-month period, their reading skills improve by six months to one year,” Pastor Claybrook said.
Children undergo various screenings to detect any learning or behavioral issues. Heart Reach addresses them or refers them out. “It’s about early intervention,” said Pastor Claybrook, who is a pediatric occupational therapist.
Pastor Lori Valenzisi, president of the board of directors, has a 20-year affiliation with Heart Reach, including time as a staff member. It gives her unique insight. One child who attended activities, now an adult, is a successful businessman. “It’s cool to see that he’s broken the cycle of poverty and is productive.”
Pastor Paris Yanno, director of ministries, oversees the Super Kids Club, which focuses on academic help and Super Kids Transformed, which is recreational. Children take Super Kids buses from city schools to Heart Reach. It fills the gap from after school until parents get home from work.
Pastor Yanno said young people who once partici-pated come up to her at community events and tell her how Super Kids positively impacted their lives. “They tell me how Super Kids kept them ‘on the right track,’” she said.
For Brenda Mack, a volunteer, spreading the word about Heart Reach programs is key. She said the recent recognition was a step in “getting noticed.”
“This is a safe haven for children,” she said. “And it is life-changing for kids.”