The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County has hired Jim Young as community support specialist, a position that will enable the Library to better serve patrons with needs in social service and mental-health areas.
Young holds a master’s degree in social work from Youngstown State University and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He has been a licensed independent social worker since 2018.
“We are pleased to have someone so well-qualified on staff to connect people needing social services with community resources that may best be able to help,” said Library Executive Director Aimee Fifarek. “We recognize that many people in our community are struggling with issues beyond library service expertise, such as homelessness, addictions, depression and more. Mr. Young comes to the Library with an abundance of experience and will be available link our patrons to the type of help they need.”
“I have a very diverse background and my social work experience gave me quite a few contacts in Mahoning County. … I see my principal role as acting as a link between our patrons and the community resources they may not know about,” said Jim Young.
Young’s work experience includes: clinical director of residential treatment/therapist for Youth Intensive Services; medical social worker and clinical therapist for Grace Hospice; IFAST (Integrative Family Systems Treatment) therapist for PsyCare; medical-social worker for Prime Healthcare; and a specialist in the Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program at Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services.
In his work, Young has combined social services with his love of animals. He has two licensed therapy dogs, Katie and Kirby, which he sometimes incorporates into his work. Young said the animals have helped with clients who may have been fearful or had issues expressing themselves. “I learned that therapy dogs open doors.”
“I started researching therapy dogs when I was in grad school at Youngstown State University. I knew the benefits of people having service animals and I thought it would be unique to provide that type of intense therapy using dogs. It is a relatively new field but is growing in popularity because of the immense benefits,” Young said.
Patrons can contact Young at 330-744-8636 or call a librarian, who will connect them.
“I want to be busy. I want to help people, so come and see me,” Young said.
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