Errick Cox
Founder & President,
Word on the Street, Inc.
I began developing Word on the Street five years ago, mentoring men with troubled backgrounds. These men were at a stage in their lives when they wanted to change. Their present mindset and old belief systems kept them hostage and unable to advance their lives forward. It stunted their growth to become men, fathers, employable, and educated. With several felony convictions and minimal life skills, these men faced insurmountable odds living a "normal" life.
​
I invited some of my mentees to the Cuyahoga Hills Juvenile Correctional facility. The facility houses adolescent boys from 13 to 21. I wanted them to understand the need for ministry by talking to these young men. When they walked into the facility behind these walls, the remembrance of the shame they felt while incarcerated helped them connect to the young men in ways they never imagined. A light bulb came on, giving my mentees a new way of thinking, realizing now their prior experiences appeared to have a purpose. Igniting something from within them. One even said, "All my negative experiences and pain has a reason tied to it."
​
Mentoring men to instill a purpose-driven life filled with promise and hope is why I birthed Word on the Street. Years later, some of the mentees have successful businesses, high-salary jobs, a better perspective on life, and all of them take care of their families. Many of them are mentors now. A few of them will participate in the I-WIN program, teaching at-risk young people how to overcome their current circumstances.
​
I facilitate a 12-week program called ACE (adverse childhood experiences) for the last five years. In conjunction with several of the local magistrates, ACE is for first-time and low-level misdemeanor offenders. The court waives charges for those that graduate.
​
​
ACE was initially a pilot program funded by the Cuyahoga County ADAMHS board. The ACE program has been successful in connecting current behavior to past traumatic experiences. People began to understand why they behave in a particular manner, especially during high-stress situations. The participants realized their pasts are so intertwined with their present and future success or failures that many clients stay on more than the required 12 weeks. They continue because of the newfound support they need for lasting change.
Additionally, Word on the Street Ohio is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We received a faith-based education and outreach grant from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services within the last year. The grant's purpose is to create community awareness through discussions with neighbors, pastors, community leaders on strategies and new approaches to get the message to those we serve. Due to the pandemic crisis, decreased attention towards opioid and fentanyl overdoses have waned. Exposing this hidden, dark secret in our communities cannot be ignored any longer.
I have visited many prisons in Ohio, bringing inspiration, hope and sometimes bringing tangible items like toiletries or gifts during Christmas. Also, I traveled to juvenile centers throughout Texas. Speaking to lost young men looking for hope. We provided that hope through an inspirational message and counsel.
​
Lastly, it is my passion to bring the belief of hope to our hopeless society. My mission is to bring the light of the I-WIN program to dark souls one interaction at a time… guiding them toward a path of self-actualization with their destiny in mind.
I always leave them with this:
YOU ARE DESIGNED TO OVERCOME!