Soledad’s visit to YSU continues wish to pay it forward

Politics aside – it’s refreshing to watch Ben Carson soar to the top of the Republican list of nominees for U.S. president.

He’s a brilliant outsider with never a day in national politics.

And just three autumns ago, he was in Youngstown speaking to 2,300 people.

His host that year was the then recently launched Centofanti Center for Health and Welfare of Vulnerable Populations.

The center is a creation at Youngstown State University as an extension of the life and care shown by the late James and Coralie Centofanti of Canfield.

Now in its third year, the Centofanti symposium this week welcomes journalist Soledad O’Brien. The one-time CNN host now produces her own investigative work on various media platforms, including the provocative ongoing work “Black in America.” It airs on CNN.

It does not take YSU Dean Joe Mosca long to smile about the programming they’ve been able to create in honor of the Centofantis.

The symposium is part of a suite of new programs hosted within Mosca’s Bitonte School of Health and Human Services – all funded by the foundation created by James Centofanti.

James died in 2010, and Coralie died in 1999. Successful in business and devoted to the Valley, their gift to their home was this foundation funding hundreds of local projects.

That list includes Western Reserve and Canfield schools, Kent State University, Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Salem Regional Medical Center and YMCA Camp Fitch, among so many groups large and small.

The YSU Bitonte investment is $1 million over 10 years. While the appearances by O’Brien and Carson highlight the program, it extends further to scholarships and continued training for Valley professionals.

“We wanted to address vulnerable populations,” said Mosca. “And there are so many.”

Many of those populations cross the careers of Bitonte graduates.

When Mosca first began talks with the Centofanti committee about opportunities, it was just about scholarships. That talk flourished into $100,000 per year for a larger reach.

“Our thought with this is, pay this forward – just as James and Coralie did, said Mosca.

“Earn a scholarship? Get a career that helps society. Come see us for continuing education? Take that out to the community. Listen to Soledad or Ben? Take that message out to your workplaces,” said Mosca.

And that vision takes the stage for a third time Wednesday with O’Brien.

(Sal Gunta, a Medal of Honor recipient for his bravery in combat, was the speaker last year.)

Mark Graham is on the distribution committee for the foundation and had a deep, long relationship with James via their work at Farmers National Bank.

Much of what the foundation has been able to do meets what James wanted, said Graham.

And the rest?

“It exceeds James’ vision. But it would please him,” Graham said, laughing.

“He had such a deep love for the Valley. He was given a chance here as an immigrant family – a vulnerable population. And he just wants others to have a chance at the opportunity afforded him.”

If you want a chance to pay it forward, tickets for Wednesday’s free event are still available. Call YSU at 330-941-3497.

Todd Franko is editor of The Vindicator. He likes emails about stories and our newspaper. Email him at tfranko@vindy.com. He blogs, too, on Vindy.com. Tweet him, too, at @tfranko.