John Edwards, Sr. John Edwards, Sr. is the Executive Director
of the Lucas County UMADAOP in Toledo, Ohio. He has held the position since 1980. John grew up in Toledo where he graduated from Scott High School. He studied social work at University of Toledo and Ohio State University. Over the years, John and the staff at UMADAOP has helped create thousands of success stories that continue to make Lucas County a better place for children, families and residents. John has always and continues to be focused on bring services to the Lucas county to address the challenges that are confronting its citizens. It is through these services that he and the UMADAOP staff have rescued and save children, families and helped communities become strong and whole. Creating opportunities and strategies for change are hallmarks of John’s philosophy at the Lucas County UMADAOP. His signature programs are designed to provide public health in a holistic manner, encouraging people to make better choices and decisions. He has developed and implemented programs for treating substance abuse addiction, preventing alcohol, tobacco and other drugs problems, improving parenting skills, increasing academic performance among troubled youth, and supporting public safety by implementing effective ex offender reentry initiatives. John’s propensity to be a demonstrative model of opportunity and change is manifested in his actions. He hires people recovering addict and reentering ex offenders to work directly with consumers who are struggling and suffering from some form of trauma that is manifested in either addiction or criminality. Using John’s guiding strategies of opportunity and change his staff and many of the people who have gone through UMADAOP have become effective agents of change throughout Lucas County and the State of Ohio.
In terms of John Edwards, Sr., the man, he epitomizes the quintessential African American Gentleman. He is genuinely selfless. He believes in setting and living by high standards. He is consistent but also willing to grow and change. He believes in honor, truth and justice for all. He cherishes respectability, equality and propriety. He is well read and well informed and well groomed. He has an infectious smile and sense of humor. He has a touch of swag, a boatload of charm, with a tinge of bravado. His fashion and style are classy and impeccable. But, most of all he has heart, the heart of gentleman. All of these things together, make John Edwards, Sr. the perfect person to be awarded the 2016 William L. Mallory Award.
WILLIAM MALLORY AWARD
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