Youngstown Profiles
Representatives of Christ
Center provides safe haven for youth
Justin Wagner, Representatives of Christ Director, has worked with the youth of Youngstown for the last eight years. Through his work he saw the need for a youth center in Youngstown.
“I saw that you could spend more time with them on something different from what was on the street,” he said. The goal of the program is to offer choices for the children that will promote change in their lives.
Representatives of Christ offers a structured environment with educational, social and physical activity programming for youth ages 7 to 18 in Youngstown.
“It’s a fun place,” Wagner said.
The facilities feature a living room, kitchen and games with more than 20 volunteers at the two ROC locations. The program began at the location on the city’s South side. Since then Wagner has added a West side location and is planning to open a residential center to transition youth into adulthood with programming that focuses on employment, budgeting and leading successful lives.
Wagner was awarded a Neighborhood SUCCESS grant through The Raymond John Wean Foundation and used that money to buy supplies for the center and to cover the costs of running the program.
Getting the students to come to the center is not a problem for Wagner. He said word of mouth brings the youth to the center.
In addition to helping the youth, ROC helps families. Once a month ROC hosts a feeding program where families can receive bags of groceries and in the summer it holds a breakfast and lunch program. “As we are helping the youth, we try to help the families too,” adding that sometimes the program will find furniture, washers and dryers for families.
As for the success of the program, Wagner said, “It’s been excellent. You build relationships and see their lives change.”
And he hopes that success will continue with his goals for the future of the organization. Wagner's goals are to open a computer lab and an arts lab. He said it will help to push the children in the direction of furthering their education at an art institute, college, trade school or even military.
“They want to be able to make something of themselves,” he said.
Wagner also hopes to purchase the building on the South side he is currently leasing to expand the physical activity programming offered.
Youngstown Profiles