By Monica Morales
La Prensa
Ohio — The Ohio Hispanic Inmate Organization, or O.H.I.O group, is an organization within the Toledo Correctional Facility. The group members promote cultural diversity education and serve as a mentoring group for other inmates within the correctional facility.
Per Darlene Mitchell, the Warden’s assistant at To.C.I, the O.H.I.O group is a good example of one of the organizations within the facility as “they promote the importance of cultural awareness, working together and most importantly working together to make a difference in the community.”
When the O.H.I.O group was presented with the opportunity to contribute to Toledo Correctional Institution’s Coats for Kids Program, they were immediately on board. The group officers and members worked in partnership with their staff sponsor Katherine Rodríguez, and were able to raise funds by selling Mexican foods, blankets and crafts.