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Smaller textCYF recognizes youths who reform their lives
Ashley Williams
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Craig Smith is a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review staff writer and can be reached at 412-380-5646 or via e-mail.
Ashley Williams has been in and out of trouble most of her young life, but was recognized Monday for starting to turn her life around.
"I used to be a bad kid. I stole maybe a car or two. I was in Shuman several times," Williams said, referring to the city's juvenile detention center, after being rewarded for changing her lifestyle and staying out of trouble for the past six months.
Williams, 18, was among 235 young people honored at the ninth annual Celebrate Success Luncheon hosted by Allegheny County's Office of Children, Youth and Families at Hosanna House in Wilkinsburg.
"This means a lot. It means somebody is recognizing me for me," said Williams of Beechwood, who wants to be a veterinarian.
Williams made quite a turnaround, improving her grades and focusing on her goal to attend college, said her foster mother, Kim Williams.
Other students were honored for a wide range of achievements, such as graduating from high school, overcoming literacy issues or discovering creative outlets through writing, art and poetry.
They were recommended for their awards by caseworkers, said Marcia Sturdivant, deputy director of the Office of Children, Youth and Families.
"So many times, kids only see negatives. We want to celebrate their successes and achievements," she said.
Parents were invited to the program because it's "tough stuff" for parents today, Sturdivant said. Single parents and two-income families face many challenges, she said.
Ryan Daniels, 19, and his adoptive mother, Shirley Daniels, celebrated his recent graduation from the culinary arts program at Community College of Allegheny County.
"This is a fantastic thing for the kids," said Shirley Daniels, 67, of Pleasant Hills.
Ryan and his brother, Barian, 17, have lived with Daniels and her husband, Richard, 82, since they were 2 and 4.
Ryan Daniels moved into Holy Family Institute, a residential treatment facility, because he suffers from bipolar disorder, Shirley Daniels said. He is taking medication for the disorder and hopes to become a chef.
The luncheon featured Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Mundy and entertainment by African dancers and drummers.
Organizers said the event has honored more than 1,800 children since its inception. They hope to see even more follow in the footsteps of Ashley Williams, who said her days of petty crime are behind her.
"I'm done with that," Williams said.
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