-
- BUILDING SKILLS — Johnny Abshire interviews Steubenville Big Red football coach Reno Saccoccia at Harding Stadium. — Contributed
-
- SHOWNG OFF TALENT — Danielle Tressler, left, and Tracey Thomas, a service and support administration supervisor, discuss the potential art holds. — Contributed
-
- DISCUSSING PROJECTS — Richie Maytas and Alex “Cookie” West, a community specialist with the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities, discuss artwork. — Contributed
BUILDING SKILLS — Johnny Abshire interviews Steubenville Big Red football coach Reno Saccoccia at Harding Stadium. — Contributed
STEUBENVILLE — The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities is showcasing local individuals who are living their dream as part of the OhioISP Spotlight Series.
State DODD officials visited Steubenville on Sept. 22 to record interviews with artists Danielle Tressler and Richie Matyas and sports commentator Johnny Abshire to show how the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities and community have assisted in realizing their goals. The series, which is now in its third year, highlights individuals with intellectual and developmental needs and is posted on DODD’s social media.
The latest installment was formed after Lynette Ekey, Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities service and support administration supervisor, met with Leslie Powell, a state DODD regional support facilitator, to discuss individualized support plans, and Ekey shared how Tressler, Matyas and Abshire were reaching their goals.
Powell and a DODD communications team videographer then visited Steubenville, where they recorded city residents Tressler and Matyas at the main branch 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, while Abshire, a Wintersville resident, appeared at Steubenville High School’s Harding Stadium with West, SSA Gretchen Nightingale, direct support specialist Cathy Myers and Steubenville Big Red football coach Reno Saccoccia. With help from Thomas and West, Tressler and Matyas told how their shared affinity for art was brought to life with help from JCBDD, PLSJ and the Steubenville Art Association.
Tressler said that drawing was literally in her blood and she hoped to sell her original designs to the public.
SHOWNG OFF TALENT — Danielle Tressler, left, and Tracey Thomas, a service and support administration supervisor, discuss the potential art holds. — Contributed
“My mom started me on art,” she said. “It’s a family thing.”
Tressler had asked Thomas about finding a way to sell her art to more people and make money.
“Danielle’s a strong advocate and is open to ideas about what it could look like,” Thomas said. “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 said he enjoyed art and also wanted to sell his works to fulfill his pastime. His SSA contacted Ekey and got West involved. West connected them with the SAA, where they became members and were involved in public events. Since then, they have hosted Open Art Night on the third Tuesday of each month at PLSJ and sold their wares at art shows and during summer concerts 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 said. “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 community specialist with the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities, discuss artwork. — Contributed
Matyas said it has helped him earn money for video games, and he was inspired to create more art pieces.
“Someday, I want to go to art college,” he commented.
West also praised PLSJ for its partnership, which led to the recent “Color Our World” traveling canvas project that included all of the library system’s branches. The project corresponded with the library’s summer reading program and Tressler and Matyas worked with fellow SAA artists to create a four-foot-tall canvas for kids and adults to add their own touch of color. Officials said it was so successful that two more canvases were created and moved from the Main Library to the Schiappa Branch, as well as locations in Brilliant, Tiltonsville, Adena and Dillonvale-Mount Pleasant, during 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 discussed how he was slowly building his “Football Fever” Facebook page and “Football Fever with Johnny A.” YouTube channel with help from West and local content creator Dawud Abdullah.
“It’s about NFL and high school content,” Abshire explained. “(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 said Abshire was a joy to work with and offered a lot of insight about the game.
“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 said he studied other YouTube channels and worked with Abdullah, who provided tips as well as some equipment to establish his brand. West said Abshire had no experience at first with online content but has come a long way.
“We wanted to work on Johnny’s delivery and brand, so he could enhance his skills,” she noted. “He met with Dawud Abdullah, who has been amazing.”
DODD officials said the OhioISP series has gained as many as 150,000 views, which will give the local talents an opportunity to share their stories on a wider scale. Allison O’Neil, DODD communications director in the office of external relations, said Powell has been an integral part of the development process and coordinated many of the videos.
“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 around the state, including Monroe, Ross, Lake and other counties. Information can be found online at dodd.ohio.gov.
