Pictured: Children of a Family Recovery Court Program participant enjoy pool-time at the Akron Area YMCA as part of the Y-Strong program (Left); Domestic Relations Judge Katarina Cook and Magistrate Cheryl Wear pictured with the Akron Area YMCA’s Chief Development Officer Brian Bidlingmyer (Right).
(Akron, Ohio) – The Summit County Domestic Relations Court Family Recovery Court Program (“FRCP”) is pleased to announce its partnership with the Akron Area YMCA’s Y-Strong program. The Y-Strong program entitles participants of the Summit County drug and alcohol recovery courts with six months of sobriety to a complimentary YMCA family membership. The Y-Strong program is intended to be a reward for recovering persons desiring to make positive lifestyle changes, and provides an outlet to improve their health and the health of their family unit. Ben, a current Participant, is the first person in the Family Recovery Court Program to receive a free pass. He and his three young boys are already enjoying their Y-Strong membership.
The FRCP, which began in November, 2019, is a specialty court for cases involving parents struggling with substance abuse and/or mental health challenges that have negatively affected their ability to parent. This voluntary program is designed to assist participants with accessing treatment and supportive services necessary to reunite them with their children and make co-parenting possible. There are 22 active participants and 3 graduates. Magistrate Cheryl Wear handles the chemical dependency cases, while Administrative Judge Katarina Cook oversees the mental health cases and the co-occurring cases (those persons that suffer from both a chemical dependency and mental health issues.). Family Court Services staff member Alissa Endicott serves as the Program Manager. Magistrate Wear, who has been in recovery from alcoholism herself for over eight years, is particularly grateful for the opportunity to share the hope of her lived experience and knowledge of area recovery resources with FRCP participants, and views her position as a meaningful way to give back to the Akron recovery community.
“We are pleased to offer folks a safe and healthy path to get on the road to wellness,” said Jill Kolesar, CEO and President of the Akron Area YMCA, adding that the partnership with the FRCP rounds out the successful work already in place by other courts associated with the Y-Strong program.
Judge Cook believes that FRCP’s partnership with the Y-Strong Program further exemplifies the YMCA’s vision of building strong kids, strong families, and strong communities. “Especially during the dreary weather days that we all endure in Northeastern Ohio, eligible participants now have a wonderful place to take their families and get some much needed exercise at no cost!”