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Turning abilities
YOUNGSTOWN
Kathy Phillips is turning the way society helps people with developmental disabilities.
The CEO of Turning Point Residential Inc. said her company provides housing services, employment training and habilitation services in the Mahoning Valley.
“We service people who want to be part of their community,” she said.
Phillips previously worked closely with people who are disabled at other agencies.
She founded Turning Point in April 2001 with her sister Mary Kay Tusinac, whose husband provided $15,000 to get them started. The two started at her home serving three individuals with eight employees.
The agency’s main office is at the former Byzantine Catholic Central School, 5512 Youngstown-Poland Road, with 250 employees who serve about 230 disabled individuals.
Phillips said the agency’s philosophy hasn’t changed: Promote the integration of people with disabilities into the community, and promote their living an independent lifestyle.
“It doesn’t matter if we have a disability or not,” she said. “Everybody needs each other.”
Turning Point serves as a private agency for adults identified with a developmental disability by the Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disability, said Betsy Klingensmith, workshop director of Turning Point’s day program, No Limits Alternative Center, which has branches in Austintown and Salem.
Eligible adults have to receive a waiver to participate in Turning Point’s programs, she added.
Klingensmith said the No Limits program offers activities related to health and art. She said there are 78 individuals with a disability who work through the program at businesses such as T.J. Maxx in Boardman. Some also work at Crumbles Bakery, which was started at Turning Point’s main location in 2013. The idea originated with Elizabeth Sweed, a consultant for Turning Point, who teaches individuals with disabilities how to bake, clean and perform other related assignments.
She said the bakery does simple recipes such as brownie bites, chocolate chip cookies and cupcakes, but the bakery may venture into making cakes.
“A dream had come true for me,” Sweed said. “I have a lot of love and compassion for this particular group.”
Miranda Tusinac, director of employment services, said the company focuses more on the individual’s ability.
“It’s about helping our individuals find their niche in the community,” she said.
Crumbles Bakery expanded with a second location at Southern Park Mall in Boardman.
The bakery’s third location opened at 4150 Market St. in Boardman two weeks ago. The original bakery is where initial training occurs.
Among the bakery’s employees is Terry Crogan, 26, who lives in Youngstown with his mother, Leona, who’s also a parent liaison for Turning Point.
“Work is good,” Terry said, who has Down syndrome.
But it doesn’t slow him down at work, Leona said. “He wants to do grown-up things like his brother,” she said.
Miranda said the agency plans to offer indoor catering services at its main Crumbles Bakery location.
They also plan to do an event featuring arts and the bakery to raise awareness in the summer.