Congressman Gets Firsthand Look at Village Network

By LINDA HALL      Staff Writer (The Daily Record - Wooster)

WOOSTER -- Congressman John Boccieri got his first look last week at the services provided by The Village Network at its Boys' Village Campus in Wooster.

As staff and board members provided him with insight into how the programs function, Boccieri grappled with the concept of focusing on offenders rather than victims.

It causes "a bit of political angst," Boccieri told Village Network executive director Jim Miller.

Here, Miller told Boccieri on his Aug. 6 visit, there is little distinction between victims and offenders. "Generally, you're looking at the same kid."

The two can't be pulled apart, Miller explained, noting 98.5 percent of youthful offenders have experienced "some sort of major trauma" -- even seeing their parents shot.

"The investment is not an easy one; I'm not saying it is," Miller said; but in order to stop the cycle of victimization, youthful offenders must be treated before they reach adulthood -- before the transition from "victim to victimizer" is set.

Treating youthful sexual offenders while they're adolescents can turn around the epidemic of sexual offenses, according to Miller.

At the beginning of Boccieri's tour of the campus, Miller pointed out his "proudest plaque," listing major donations to the Gault Youth and Family Enrichment Center "from our people. They believe in what we do here," Miller said.

Boccieri met several Boys' Village students, including a young man named Tyrone.

"This was one of my best students," said Boys' Village instructor Becky Barrett. "He has come a long way here."

Miller told Boccieri Boys' Village students make an average of two years of academic gain with just one year at the school.

Hearing about the concentrated attention given each student, Boccieri quipped to Tyrone, "There's no cover if you don't have your homework done."

Staying under the radar "won't work here," Barrett confirmed.

Talking with staff members who related success stories and grateful letters from students who graduate from the program, Boccieri praised them for "making a difference in their lives."

"I just wanted to see what's happening, and I'm very impressed," Boccieri said, concluding, "This is not a career; it's a vocation."

Former Congressman Ralph Regula was highly involved with Boys' Village, Deborah Jenkins, TVN's director of marketing and communications, said, and TVN would like to cultivate the same relationship with his successor.

Highlighting President Barack Obama's search for community-driven, innovative solutions, Jenkins said, "We feel that we fit the bill very much."

In planning a luncheon and tour for Boccieri, Boys' Village staff and board members sought to bring to his attention programs including art, garden and recreational therapy.

Their goal was to demonstrate to him, "This is how we feel we stand out ... these are our distinct points," Jenkins said, including TVN's continuum of care and its ability "to design, fund and fully implement programs within 90 days, according to a press release.

One of the take-home messages Boccieri said he picked up from his visit to Boys' Village was, "We should not give up on these at-risk youth."

Studies show treatment "can make a difference," Boccieri said, adding, he also learned, "The victim and perpetrator are one and the same."

Boccieri was also a guest at a luncheon with students, staff and board members and a reception with TVN with "partners in our community," Jenkins said, including representatives of other agencies, community leaders, and corporate and business personnel.

Reporter Linda Hall can be reached at 330-264-1125, Ext. 2230, or e-mail lhall@the-daily-record.com.

Congressman John Boccieri stopped by The Village  Network-Boys' Village Campus on August 6th and  spoke with staff, youth and TVN Supporters. (Pictured at left: Cong. Boccieri, TVN CEO Jim Miller, TVN Staff and Foster Parent Dave Schmidt and his wife Sandy)