Youth group Christmas party celebrates community

By Sarah Lehr

slehr@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

For Ramona Jones, there is no better Christmas gift than the success of a young person.

Jones founded “A Time for Recovery” outreach group in 2011 to empower youths. The organization hosted its annual Christmas party Saturday in the meeting room of the main branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.

This year, Jones was pleased to hear Tiffany Bratton, a member of the group, received a full scholarship to study nursing at the online college Independence University.

Bratton, 26, said she became interested in the health care profession after her grandmother suffered a heart attack.

“I’m so proud of her,” Jones said of Bratton. “My favorite part of this group is seeing them bring in their report cards, seeing them being successful.”

A Time for Recovery comprises close to 25 members age 11 and older. It promotes a broad range of programs, including computer classes, resume workshops and self-defense lessons.

A Time for Recovery also hosts a grief support group and a sewing circle intended to encourage healthy self-esteem in teenage girls.

“I have a heart for children,” Jones said about why she started the organization. “I had some problems when I was growing up, and I made some bad choices and I vowed to myself because of my bad choices to help young people make positive choices like going to college and trying to get into school.”

Michael Martin, 23, said participating in A Time for Recovery helped him to express himself and manage his depression.

“I think the atmosphere helped a lot,” he said. “It’s the people.”