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- BUILDING SKILLS — Johnny Abshire interviews Steubenville Big Red soccer coach Reno Saccoccia at Harding Stadium. — Contributed
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- SHOWNG OFF TALENT — Danielle Tressler, left, and Tracey Thomas, a service and assist administration supervisor, focus on the potential artwork holds. — Contributed
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- DISCUSSING PROJECTS — Richie Maytas and Alex “Cookie” West, a group specialist with the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities, focus on paintings. — Contributed
BUILDING SKILLS — Johnny Abshire interviews Steubenville Big Red soccer coach Reno Saccoccia at Harding Stadium. — Contributed
STEUBENVILLE — The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities is showcasing local individuals who’re residing their dream as half of the OhioISP Spotlight Series.
State DODD officers visited Steubenville on Sept. 22 to report interviews with artists Danielle Tressler and Richie Matyas and sports activities commentator Johnny Abshire to indicate how the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities and group have assisted in realizing their targets. The collection, which is now in its third yr, highlights individuals with mental and developmental wants and is posted on DODD’s social media.
The newest installment was fashioned after Lynette Ekey, Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities service and assist administration supervisor, met with Leslie Powell, a state DODD regional assist facilitator, to debate individualized assist plans, and Ekey shared how Tressler, Matyas and Abshire have been reaching their targets.
Powell and a DODD communications staff videographer then visited Steubenville, the place they recorded metropolis residents Tressler and Matyas on the foremost department of the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County with JCBDD Community Relations Specialist Alex “Cookie” West, PLSJ Communications Director Jennifer Cesta and SSA Tracey Thomas, whereas Abshire, a Wintersville resident, appeared at Steubenville High School’s Harding Stadium with West, SSA Gretchen Nightingale, direct assist specialist Cathy Myers and Steubenville Big Red soccer coach Reno Saccoccia. With assist from Thomas and West, Tressler and Matyas instructed how their shared affinity for artwork was delivered to life with assist from JCBDD, PLSJ and the Steubenville Art Association.
Tressler mentioned that drawing was actually in her blood and she or he hoped to promote her unique designs to the general public.
SHOWNG OFF TALENT — Danielle Tressler, left, and Tracey Thomas, a service and assist administration supervisor, focus on the potential artwork holds. — Contributed
“My mom started me on art,” she mentioned. “It’s a family thing.”
Tressler had requested Thomas about discovering a approach to promote her artwork to extra folks and generate profits.
“Danielle’s a strong advocate and is open to ideas about what it could look like,” Thomas mentioned. “She had known [West] for a long time and Alex has many connections in the community. Danielle opened that door and was good with connecting with Alex, and it took on a life of its own.”
Like Tressler, Matyas mentioned he loved artwork and likewise wished to promote his works to meet his pastime. His SSA contacted Ekey and obtained West concerned. West related them with the SAA, the place they grew to become members and have been concerned in public occasions. Since then, they’ve hosted Open Art Night on the third Tuesday of every month at PLSJ and offered their wares at artwork exhibits and through summer season concert events at Historic Fort Steuben.
“My role (at JCBDD) is to connect individuals with their community the way they want, and we had conversations on how Danielle and Richie can sell their art. (The art association) demonstrated remarkable openness and inclusivity that they sponsored Danielle and Richie, and they became members,” West mentioned. “Danielle and Richie took part in monthly workshops, participated in their first art show, met other artists, and became part of the artists’ community. It was nice to see them connect with other artist and their willingness to venture beyond their comfort zone.”
DISCUSSING PROJECTS — Richie Maytas and Alex “Cookie” West, a group specialist with the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities, focus on paintings. — Contributed
Matyas mentioned it has helped him earn cash for video video games, and he was impressed to create extra artwork items.
“Someday, I want to go to art college,” he commented.
West additionally praised PLSJ for its partnership, which led to the current “Color Our World” touring canvas mission that included all of the library system’s branches. The mission corresponded with the library’s summer season studying program and Tressler and Matyas labored with fellow SAA artists to create a four-foot-tall canvas for teenagers and adults so as to add their very own contact of colour. Officials mentioned it was so profitable that two extra canvases have been created and moved from the Main Library to the Schiappa Branch, in addition to areas in Brilliant, Tiltonsville, Adena and Dillonvale-Mount Pleasant, throughout June and July.
“We got such a great response from the main library that two more canvases were created to travel around and kids and adults could color on them,” Cesta added. “We value that partnership with JCBDD, and Cookie and I will continue to work on some type of project for the coming year. We look for ways to continue serving the community and people with all abilities.”
Meanwhile, Abshire mentioned how he was slowly constructing his “Football Fever” Facebook web page and “Football Fever with Johnny A.” YouTube channel with assist from West and local content material creator Dawud Abdullah.
“It’s about NFL and high school content,” Abshire defined. “(I cover) Big Red, Martins Ferry, Indian Creek, Toronto and other football teams. I’ve got livestreams, and I make them every day. Sometimes, I ask for permission to come on the field and interview the coaches.”
Saccoccia mentioned Abshire was a pleasure to work with and provided quite a bit of perception concerning the sport.
“I was good to meet him,” he added.
“I think he’s a great coach and I come to the games on Friday and meet him and interview him and the players,” Abshire interjected. “I send all my videos to Steubenville City Schools and put them on YouTube. It was the best time when I met Reno.”
Abshire mentioned he studied different YouTube channels and labored with Abdullah, who supplied ideas in addition to some gear to determine his model. West mentioned Abshire had no expertise at first with on-line content material however has come a great distance.
“We wanted to work on Johnny’s delivery and brand, so he could enhance his skills,” she famous. “He met with Dawud Abdullah, who has been amazing.”
DODD officers mentioned the OhioISP collection has gained as many as 150,000 views, which can give the local abilities a possibility to share their tales on a wider scale. Allison O’Neil, DODD communications director within the workplace of exterior relations, mentioned Powell has been an integral half of the event course of and coordinated many of the movies.
“Her connections have introduced us to some amazing people,” O’Neil continued. “The OhioISP Spotlight Series was created to highlight the great, person-centered work happening across the state of Ohio. It’s a way to recognize and celebrate the unique, creative, and meaningful ways teams are using the OhioISP to support people in following their dreams and accomplishing their goals. At DODD, our mission is to partner with people and communities to support Ohioans with developmental disabilities and their families in realizing their version of a good life. We have completed several spotlights across the state, and they can be found on our website and YouTube channel.”
The OhioISP Spotlight Series has included individuals from across the state, together with Monroe, Ross, Lake and different counties. Information will be discovered on-line at dodd.ohio.gov.