Springtime is full of new beginnings for us all, particularly for new graduates! This spring, we helped celebrate 50 youths who received their high school diploma or GED. Graduation is an impressive feat for any student, but we are especially proud of our DYS youth for committing themselves to their futures, despite their often difficult circumstances. 

“This is a powerful reminder for each one of you that you are so much more than the worst thing you’ve ever done,” said DYS Director Amy Ast. “Earning your diploma or GED under these circumstances in this environment shows determination that very few can even comprehend.”  

Graduates from all three facilities, Ralph C. Starkey High School, Indian River High School, and Luther E. Ball High School celebrated alongside family, educational staff, and faculty on the momentous day. We are so proud of all our graduates and know that their high school graduation will be the first of many bright accomplishments. 

To commemorate some special moments, check out our highlight and animated slideshow videos!

CCF Graduation

Congratulations are also in order for Mariano Cain (left) and Eliyana Bermudez (right). These youth graduated from high school while at Lucas County Youth Treatment Center.

Big thanks for Human Services Program Administrators Karla Evans and Jessica Jefferson for making the trip to Toledo and sharing the big day with them!

From diplomas to barbells, youth from all three of our DYS facilities and the Juvenile Residential Center of Northwest Ohio teamed up with local, state, and federal law enforcement and first responders to compete in our first ever Unity CrossFit games! Throughout this intensive, physical fitness experience, our CrossFit teams compete in three different events. From 500-meter rows to nearly 500-pound squats, the teams came together and pushed themselves to their limits. 

But this event was about more than just physical endurance, it was also mental test. This trauma-informed approach to physical fitness was a chance for our youth to gain positive memories with law enforcement and embrace community support as they endured physical challenges. This event would not have been possible without the help of Expanding Horizons and CrossFit Crave, our Indian River staff, the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration - DEA, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships. 

13 youth at our Indian River facility were baptized in June. Featuring numerous speakers and musical performances, the event was a special one for our youth, their families, and our educational staff.

Kimberly Dove, chaplain at Indian River, helped prepare, organize, and lead the event for the youth and shared her message on the importance of the occasion. 

"I remember going to a church and wanting to get baptized, wanting to change my life," Dove said. "I'm very proud of our youth because they didn't just do this, they had to prepare for this." 

One youth, Marvin Tallie, was especially excited to get baptized. He shared his experiences engaging in robbery and theft, feeling like he was lost in his own life. He decided to devote his life to religion and find a new path he could follow. 

"I feel transformed, I feel like a new person," Tallie said.

Thank you to all of our staff and faculty members at Indian River for putting on this inspiring event for the youth! 

June Graduation

We continued to welcome nearly 30 new members to our DYS family at our June Preservice Graduation!

Monisha Gray Crayton joins DYS as a Youth Specialist at Cuyahoga Hills. Crayton is a former DYS youth herself, and she believes it was her social worker, Miss Jackson, and the staff at Scioto in Delaware that pushed her to be the best version of herself. 

"I want to help others, and I understand what the youth in the facility may be going through," Crayton said. "I want to push them and maybe change their life, just like how I changed mine for the better." 

Thank you to the Training Academy team for going above and beyond as always to equip new staff with the knowledge and tools they'll need to succeed.

We can't wait to see how our new staff will grow with us and transform and save lives!

Pup Patrol!🐾

Pup Patrol K-9 Sir Ivy and K-9 Winnie reunited for an employee wellness visit! The pups visited with DYS staff at our Central Office. 

Pup Patrol welcomed a new member, Bailee, a one-year-old female Berna-doodle. Bailee made her DYS debut during Employee Recognition Week. She joined Sir Ivy and visited employees during preservice training to highlight the importance of employee wellness and to welcome our new staff to the team. 

Pup Patrol, with Sir Ivy and Winnie, also visited the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities as they hosted their agency’s “Bring Your Child to Work Day.” The building was full of smiles and laughter from kids and adults alike as the pups made their way through the building. 

DYS at American Legion Buckeye Girls State Program

Yolonda Frierson recently attended the American Legion Buckeye Girls state program at Bowling Green State University. DYS has attended in the past as the program is designed to provide female students completing their junior year with a learning experience in state, city, and county government functions. The young ladies, serving in their roles as delegates representing various roles in local government, also received a visit from the Governor.

Ohio State Fair Discount Tickets

State employees can get a special discount on Ohio State Fair "Ohio State Fair Discounts" tickets through Friday, July 4! The Ohio State Fair is offering $7 tickets (free of fees) to all state employees and their families. That's a savings of $5 per ticket!

Enjoy popular Ohio State Fair traditions like the butter cow, Smokey Bear, farm animals, and delicious fair food! Experience family-friendly entertainment, exciting rides, art exhibits, live music, hands-on education, and so much more! Take the whole family or friends to make memories that last a lifetime at the Ohio State Fair, July 23 - Aug. 3.

To order Ohio State Fair tickets:

1. Visit the Ohio State Fair ticket link on Ticketmaster.

2. Click the Unlock button above the ticket price.

3. Enter the promo code: OHIOEMPLOYEE.

4. Click the blue Unlock button to unlock the $7 promotion.

Don’t miss the best summer adventure at the Ohio State Fair!