Former “Survivor” star wants to bring Warriors of Purpose to Covelli
TweetBy Justin Wier
YOUNGSTOWN
Rodney Lavoie, a former contestant on CBS’s “Survivor” series, talked to the Mahoning County commissioners about bringing his group – Warriors of Purpose – to the area to discuss mental health, bullying and drug addiction with local teenagers.
The group consists of reality-TV stars who talk to middle- and high-school students about these issues.
Lavoie said Thursday his goal is to inspire the generation that the heroin epidemic has yet to affect.
“You see the heroin needle in their arm at 25,” he said. “But you don’t see them being bullied in high school, or their mental health issues.”
Lavoie is from the Boston area and talks with a thick accent. His sister died of a drug overdose when he was 21, and he struggles with anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
He stressed the important of discussing mental health issues openly.
“People parade cancer, but they hide from mental health,” he said.
Commissioner Anthony Traficanti said he wanted to bring Lavoie in given the extent of the area’s opioid and heroin epidemic.
“With his background, it’s a perfect fit for our county,” Traficanti said. “If this can save one life, than it’s worth bringing him here.”
Tony Dimuzio, an Austintown resident who organizes charity boxing matches, said one of Lavoie’s friends fought at an event he organized, and he reached out to Traficanti.
An event featuring speakers, a march and boxing matches between reality stars and local residents is tentatively scheduled to take place at the Covelli Centre in May.
Lavoie believes his approach connects more directly with students than, for example, having police officers speak to students.
“I’m on a mission,” he said. “It’s real; it’s raw.”
Also, the commissioners voted to form a 21st Century Cures Grant Fund. The Mercy Foundation matched a $140,000 grant the county’s Mental Health and Recovery Board received.
Officials said the $280,000 will be used to hire recovery coaches.
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