CCA dedicates female residential center

YOUNGSTOWN — The Community Corrections Association celebrated the completion of its 48-bed female residential center today in the parish house of the former John Knox Church, 1806 Market St.

Funded by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and U.S. Bureau of Prisons, the association provides residential, vocational and substance abuse rehabilitation services to probationers and former prison inmates.

“It’s expanded our female capacity from 26 to 48,” beds, David Stillwagon, the association’s chief executive officer, said of CCA’s acquisition and use of the former parish house.

“This gives us the opportunity to better serve the local courts,” the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, he said.

“We’re just appreciative to be able to provide the resources to the local community to successfully transition people” into community living, he said.

The acquisition of the John Knox property brings the number of CCA buildings on Market Street to seven.

Forty-seven of the 48 beds for women are now occupied, Stillwagon said.

“The need is present and we’re meeting it,” said Richard Billak, who founded CCA in 1974 and retired as its CEO at the end of 2013.

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