Organizational History - Ozer is a 501(c) (3) non-profit counseling/mentoring organization founded by John and Daryl Hersh in 1987. The staff includes two counselors (John and Daryl Hersh with nineteen years of experience each) and 20 volunteers. Ozer serves clients from all backgrounds and faiths. The operating budget for Ozer is under $100,000. Ozer has been effective over the past 19 years and is thriving today because the counseling concentrates on fundamental values: honesty, commitment, integrity, accountability, personal responsibility, and trust: the building blocks of character. Concentrating on these values has contributed to the successful longevity of the ministry. The programs have a proven track record with focus on lasting outcomes.
John Hersh graduated with honors from the Heritage College of Evangelism and Communication in Charlotte, North Carolina, majoring in a two-year Advanced Counseling Program. John is a member and past president of the East Palestine City School District Board of Education and is on the board of directors for Threshold Residential Services which provides housing and services to adults who are mentally challenged. John is also on the board of directors for the Columbiana County Childcare Provider Association.
Daryl Hersh graduated magna cum laude from Cleveland State University with a B.A. degree in psychology and teaching certification in the area of science and mathematics. Daryl is a member of the Ohio Children’s Trust Fund Advisory Committee. Ozer is a member of the Family and Children First Council of Columbiana County.
Ozer works with clients to improve their quality of life. People from diverse backgrounds are served, from children to the elderly, from perpetrators and ex-offenders to pastors. The issues addressed by Ozer include: domestic violence, youth with at-risk behaviors, substance abuse and addictions, recovery from childhood abuse, financial management, welfare dependency, anger management, grief and loss, and marriage and relationship dynamics. Ozer staff conducts a weekly support group of individuals recovering from childhood sexual abuse, many of whom are also recovering from addictions.
Counseling/mentoring addresses emotional, mental, spiritual, financial, and/or physical issues. Individual clients are taught to honestly address their problems and sort out available options to be able to make informed choices. Ozer offers assistance in getting individuals out of the welfare system and into the workforce. Ozer provides hope with an opportunity to change for hurting people. This is accomplished through mentoring, guidance and example to help clients experience integrity, honesty, and commitment. Ozer strives to “help people to help themselves, and in turn, help others.”
The approach to each client is individualized and specific to that person. Because Ozer programs are tailor-made for each individual/couple/family, outcomes vary and are unique to each individual/couple/family. The transformative outcomes always involve a measurable change in behavior. Some examples of change are women who are recovering from abuse are now able to recognize the necessity for good boundaries and become capable of setting them. Also, resilient youth are able to connect consequences to actions, list alternative choices to past negative choices, attend school with no truancies, and finish school with either a GED or diploma. These are examples of individualized and transformative outcomes.
Ozer has demonstrated credibility within the community. Victim’s Assistance and several courts in Columbiana and Carroll County send referrals to Ozer. Ozer was awarded a capacity building grant from the Ohio Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives which resulted in six additional memoranda of understanding from area agencies and churches. Ozer has been notified that it has been awarded a grant in the amount of $12,172 from the Faith and Community Technical Support (FACTS) program funded by the Office on Violence Against Women..
Ozer has been self-supporting for nineteen years existing solely on private donations which demonstrate sustainability and effectiveness. The need for services provided by Ozer has increased over the years. In 2005, Ozer served a total of 1,440 clients, which included 51 new clients. So far, in 2006, Ozer has served approximately 1725 clients.
