| People Helping People Help Themselves |
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| The WSOS Press |
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| WSOS Community Action Commission Inc. |
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April/May 2005 |
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Seneca County DJFS funds Fostoria Community Schools summer program
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| Above, students in the Fremont City Schools after school program operated by WSOS participate in activities at one of three sites. |
Forty at-risk students in Fostoria Community Schools will be the beneficiaries of a $23,000 grant from the Seneca County Department of Job and Family Services (DJFS) this summer. Administered by WSOS Community Action Commission Inc., the grant will provide summer school services. The program is a partnership of the Fostoria Community Schools, WSOS and the Seneca County DJFS.
Students who enroll in the Summer Transition program will be provided with academic and behaviorial intervention as well as enrichment activities as part of an attempt to help them transition from elementary to middle school. Parental involvement and team building are also integral aspects of the program.
The program is expected to last from the end of the current school year to August 12.
At the same time, WSOS and Fostoria City School officials have partnered to apply for funding to operate an after school program during the school year. The bulk of the funding, $1,275,000 for five years, is being requested from the Ohio Department of Education. Other funds being sought include: $13,000 from the Seneca County's Community Block Grants; $10,000 from Ohio Children's Trust Fund; and $5,000 from Fostoria's United Way. These funds have one-year limits.
WSOS currently operates after school programs in the Fremont and Clyde-Green Springs school districts.
| Late CEO honored at May 9 dedication of Fremont Family Development Center |
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| DON STRICKER |
The WSOS Family Development Center at 765 S. Buchanan Street was dedicated May 9 and re-named the Stricker Family Development Center in memory of the late President/CEO Don Stricker.
The dedication took place at the Buchanan Street center where those attending participated in some activities with the children enrolled at the center. Attendees had the opportunity to either add to a piece of sculpture that the children are building or to write a memory of Stricker that will then be put together, framed and kept at the center.
Stricker was a strong advocate of the education of young children and for involving parents in the education of their children. He worked diligently with legislators at both state and federal levels for funding to assist parents with their children.
"This is the perfect way to honor Don's memory," said Acting CEO Ruthann House. "He worked hard to do what he could to make a difference in the lives of families."
Stricker joined WSOS in 1970 as a pro-gram specialist. Two years later, he was hired as Executive Director, a position he held for 32 years until his death in December 2004.
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| GLC hosts Tanzanian delegation - its second delegation of the year |
After an eventful month with the delegation of Afghan businesswomen in March, the Great Lakes Consortium (GLC) of International Training and Development is hosting a delegation of eight Tanzanian businesswomen.
The Afghan delegation left NW Ohio on April 4 and the Tanzanian delegation arrived April 12. Before they left, the Afghan women received national media attention when the van they used to travel around the area was stolen
while they were in Cleveland. Several of the women lost all their luggage while one lost passports and other personal papers.
The Cleveland mayor held a fund-raiser for the women and many community groups donated to them to help replace some of the lost items. Donations are still being accepted.
The Tanzanian women were expected to visit WSOS on May 9 for a roundtable discussion with area government and business leaders.
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| AARP again assist area seniors with tax preparation |
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| Tax Aides, above, work at the Fremont Senior Center to complete tax returns for Sandusky County residents. |
Each year, local members of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) save area senior citizens thousands of dollars in tax preparation, and the 2005 tax season was no exception.
The group provided Tax Aide volunteers in both Sandusky and Ottawa counties where they took appointments twice weekly and helped local residents prepare and submit their income tax returns.
In 2004, the group saved seniors more than $50,000 in tax preparation fees, logging more than 300 hours and more than 740 area seniors prepare their 2003 income tax returns. In some cases the volunteers even made visits to help home-bound seniors complete their tax returns.
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Director's corner
Early Childhood Programs get good reviews in its 1st year of operation |
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| JACQUIE WELLS |
Early Childhood Programs are part of the Comprehensive Family Department. The department is led by Vice President Cheryl Denny and Early Childhood Programs fall under the direction of Jacquie Wells.
After only one year of operating an Early Start program, WSOS received many compliments from the reviewers who conducted the Program Review Information for Systems Monitoring (PRISM) review in March. In fact, Team Leader Ivan Hurey commented: "This is the best first-year Early Head Start Program I have ever seen."
Of 600 Head Start Performance Standards that Early Head Start is required to meet, WSOS achieved a 98 percent compliance rating. For the remaining areas that need correction, program staff are already working on a corrective action plan.
However, the work is not done. We are required to conduct a comprehensive self-assessment of the Head Start program each year. This process took place the week of April 25. With the help of the program's Policy Council, parents, staff, and community members, this review enables us to evaluate our management systems and program operations to determine that WSOS is providing the best quality services to children and their families.
In addition, Early Childhood Programs began contract negotiations with its union. A contract was developed that union members were to vote on in May. The new contract year begins June 1.
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Housing & Energy hopes to expand its operations in Erie and Huron counties. Director Chuck Wright recently submitted a proposal to operate the Home Weatherization Program (HWAP) in those counties.
Heartfelt Thanks goes out to the Sandusky County Department of Job and Family Services (DJFS) for the grant they provided to the New Directions Summer/After School Program. DJFS provided $200,000 to be used to enhance the current program. The funds will allow for the addition of a middle school site in Fremont for the summer and before and after school services at the middle school in Clyde-Green Springs school district.
Emergency Services completed on March 31 another year of Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program, and is readying itself for the Summer Cooling Program on June 1. The summer program provides an air conditioner and/or payment of electric bills for senior citizens and/or those suffering from illnesses that are alleviated by the use of an air conditioner. Details of the program will be available in Mid-May.
Mark your calendar! Agency Day has been set for Friday, September 9.
WIA Youth participant and mentor, Kelly Coleman sends heartfelt thank-yous to Personal D'Signs and two other local businesses. The local dress shop donated a prom gown for Coleman, a Ross High School senior, who found herself unable to buy one for herself. Also donating services to make prom possible for Coleman were the family of Becky Hahn, and Kathi Schell, a local hairstylist.
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A familiar face
Cooking and his daughter give Dean Hillman a sense of purpose |
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| DEAN HILLMAN |
Full name: Dean Hillman
Address: Fremont
Family: His family consists of one daughter in addition to his five brothers and one sister.
Occupation: He is the Entree Cook in the Food Service Department of Senior Programs, a position he's had for the past year. He said he has worked in food service for the past 30 years and he really likes cooking for others. He is a Certified Restaurant Manager.
Favorite part of the job: Dean did not hesitate to say that the best part of his job is the chance to work with the kind of co-workers he has.
Goals: He said his goal is always trying to serve hot, tasty meals every day.
Interests/Hobbies: Spending time with his daughter is his number one interest. He also likes to travel, cook and cater parties.
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