Maurice Clarett offers words of encouragement at Hope Conference

YOUNGSTOWN — The people with whom one associates are critical to one’s future path, former Ohio State University football standout Maurice Clarett told an audience this morning at Youngstown State University’s Kilcawley Center.

“Separate yourself from who you were with when you got into the trouble,” Clarett urged people who are trying to live a new life after prison.

Clarett spoke at the Hope Conference, which continues until 3:30 p.m. today, offering a host of services to help former prisoners adjust to, and function successfully in, their new lives as free people.

“Everything comes down to who you surround yourself with,” said Clarett, who served 3 1/2 years in prison on aggravated robbery and concealed-weapon charges and was released in April 2010.

“Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future,” he said.

“If you’re around a bunch of dudes who lose, you’re going to lose,” he warned.

The conference, for which there is no admission charge, was organized by a collaboration of Mahoning County agencies that assists people returning from prison to society to regain their lives and livelihoods.

For the complete story, read Thursday's Vindicator and Vindy.com