Swanston Conference Gathers Youth Advocates

Friday, November 07, 2014

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Nearly 100 public officials, teachers, counselors, agency officials, social workers and others who work with at-risk children gathered Thursday today for a day-long session of information and inspiration.

“Innovations: Evolving Approaches to Youth Development” was presented at the D.D. and Velma Davis Education & Visitor Center of Mill Creek MetroParks by the William Swanston Charitable Fund, which works to improve the lives of at-risk children in the Mahoning Valley.

Leading strategies for working with children were showcased. Participants enjoyed opportunities to discuss their best practices, ask questions, join discussions and network with colleagues.

“The lessons learned today are valuable for those who work with at-risk children,” said Paul M. Dutton, chairman of the board of the Swanston Fund. “This is challenging work, and our annual conference is designed to bring them fresh ideas and approaches. This conference and our annual grants deliver on the financial commitment William Swanston made in 1919 to improve the lives of at-risk children.”

The conference offered insights from these three speakers:

• Mark Fenton, a public health consultant and associate professor at Tufts University in Boston. He led a workshop on developing public infrastructures to support healthy pedestrian lifestyles. Fenton also delivered the keynote speech, which incorporated his observations about opportunities to make changes in the Mahoning Valley to encourage more walking and physical activity.
• Dr. Rob Fischer, research associate professor at Case Western Reserve University. He led a workshop titled, “Using Evaluation to Tell Your Story and Improve Your Programming.”
• Heather McMahon, executive director of the Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative. Her workshop was titled, “Turning Great Ideas into Sustainable, Community-Driven Programs.”

In addition to the Swanston Fund, the sponsors of today’s event included the Youngstown State University College of Health and Human Services, Trumbull Memorial Health Foundation and Western Reserve Health Foundation.

The William Swanston Charitable Fund, established in 1919, seeks to help improve the lives of children in Mahoning and Trumbull counties. It provides grants each year that support early childhood education, anti-obesity measures, after-school programs, parent-involvement seminars, anti-bullying initiatives and many other efforts in support of local children. The Swanston Fund is an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley.

Pictured: Mark Fenton, a public health consultant from Boston, urged conference participants to insist on sidewalks, bus stops, bicycle lanes and other infrastructure improvements that facilitate walking in the lives of children.

SOURCE: William Swanston Charitable Fund

Published by 2014 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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