A new program targeting fathers will begin in Sandusky County in February. The Family Works Fatherhood Initiative aims to serve 120 fathers with diverse backgrounds who are interested in creating and strengthening a healthy, stable family.

"We are excited about this program," said Julie Oliver, family services coordinator at WSOS. "We really believe this program will be a good service to our families."

Those who participate in the program will be involved in skill-based parenting education, learn about good parenting practices, work ethic training, have access to housing counseling, job placement and maintenance.

The only requirement participants need to become involved in Family Works is to be a father.

The goal of the program is to assist participants learn to counterbalance their strengths, motivations, and supports. Fathers will have the opportunity to learn and apply basic life skills such as problem-solving, goal-setting, prioritizing, relationship building, leadership, conflict resolution and budgeting.

At the same time they will receive assistance with job search and placement.

More information on Family Works is available by calling David Hunt or Will Weinheimer at 419-334-8911 or toll free at 1-800-775-9767,

This program is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.

Senior Programs celebrated the approval of a new levy in November to help support the program. It was the only levy of four countywide levies that voters approved on the November ballot.

"We are so grateful that voters supported us. We appreciate their confidence. The seniors we serve will benefit greatly from their generosity," said Senior Programs Director Robin Richter. The WSOS Board of Directors showed its appreciation to the members of the levy committee who worked tirelessly to distribute the levy information. Some of them are pictured at left.

Seated, from left, are Sally Wyant and Kathy Burkin. Standing, from left, are Tom Gonya, Joe Wyant, Tom Rutherford, and Ralph Chisholm. Missing from the photo are Dana Dorsey, Suzy Carson, Marguerite Skeels, Oma Pump, Kay Szymanowski, Bill House, Bill Kelly, and Jeanne and James Walter. Gonya and Dorsey served as co-chairs of the committee while James Walter was the treasurer.

Board Profile
Burkin eager to learn and serve WSOS communities

KATHY BURKIN

Full name: Kathleen "Kathy" L. Burkin

Address: Fremont, OH

Family: Companion and business partner Ken Humbard; stepson Sean; and the 56 residents at the Fort Stephenson House.

Occupation: Kathy is the co-owner/co-operator of Fort Stephenson House apartments in Fremont with Ken. The Fort Stephenson House is a HUD Section 8 project of 56 apartments for low-income, elderly, and disabled residents.

Board Status: She joined the board in November 2006.
Goal as a board member: Kathy hopes to be an active part of the WSOS team that creates opportunities for low-income individuals and families to become self-sufficient. "I hope to enable them to acquire the skills and knowledge that will empower them to more fully participate in our community," she said.

Interests/Hobbies: She enjoys traveling and recently returned from a wonderful 18-day cruise through the Panama Canal. She also enjoys dinner and a Broadway play whenever she gets to visit New York City. Also, she participates in several community groups such as the Reader Advisory Board for the News-Messenger, Fremont, the Advisory Board at Valley View Healthcare Center, and the Sandusky County Area Real Estate Investors Association.

In her spare time, she’s a student in the Advanced Small Business Management program at Vanguard Adult Career Center. Also, she is working toward certification as a State of Ohio Professional Housing Provider.

With the resignation of four board members and the election of two new members, the WSOS Board of Directors adds five new faces to the 2007 board that will convene on January 9. They are:

Jeremy Gutierrez, of Perrysburg, who was appointed by the Wood County Economic Development Commission. Gutierrez is currently a vice president for Commerical Lending at Key Bank in Bowling Green. He replaces Traci DiBlasio who served on the board for eight years.

Carol Smith, of Port Clinton, who was appointed by Port Clinton City Schools. Smith is a language arts teacher and she replaces Robert Hathaway who resigned after one year on the board.

Kathy Burkin, of Fremont, who was elected to fill the unexpired term of the Rev. Dennis Richey. She represents the Sandusky County low-income population. The term expires December 2008.

David Sauber, Seneca County commissioner, who will fill the seat previously held by Jerry Dick. Dick was a Seneca County commissioner appointee.

Jennifer Buxton, of Port Clinton, who was elected as the low-income representative of Ottawa County. She will replace Krista Underwood, who held that seat for the past five years.

However, Underwood will not leave the board. She was elected to fill the remaining term of Grace Albert, who retired after six years on the board.

Albert and DiBlasio were presented with plaques for their years of service to the WSOS community at the board’s annual holiday party in December.

Ottawa County commissioners also have a seat, previously filled by Commissioner John Papcun to fill. Papcun did not seek re-election.

Beverly Hemmerly-Lake and Tammie Wolfelt, both of Seneca County; and Monica Thompson of Wood County, were re-elected to new two-year terms as low-income representatives.

WSOS also lost Rev. Jack Ridley who died in December. He represented the Fremont Clergy of Sandusky County on the board. Ridley had served on the board since 1999.

Beginning January 1, TRIPS will expand its service hours. Passengers will be able to receive service that begins at 5 a.m. and ends at 7 p.m. from Monday to Saturday.

"We are hoping to meet the demands of our customers," said TRIPS Specialist Chad Pridemore.

TRIPS is a partnership of WSOS and 11 other community organizations. The Ohio Department of Transportation began providing funding for the program in 2000, and since then the services have grown. TRIPS is a public transportation system but also which works with member agencies to provide transportation to clients of the member agencies.

Costs of using TRIPS are $2 for one-way trips around Fremont and $3 per one-way trip to addresses in Ballville and Sandusky townships. Other areas of the county is $4 per one-way trip. TRIPS will also transport passengers to other counties as well as to Columbus, Detroit, Cleveland and other area towns. Those trips are on a separate fee schedule. Passengers interested in that schedule should call the TRIPS office at 419-332-8091 or the Ohio Relay at 1-800-750-0750. Reservations are required for all trips. Call the TRIPS office to make a reservation at least 24 hours in advance.

TRIPS vehicles are equiped with wheelchair lifts and allow personal care attendants and/or service animals to ride free.

It was 6:45 a.m. when TRIPS Driver Gary Nossaman pulled up in front of the home of the person he was supposed to pick up. He did not see anyone waiting that December morning, but did notice that a walker was standing outside the home and there was a dark form next to the walker. So, he investigated. The form was that of the elderly woman he had arrived to transport. She was unconscious. He called 911 and she was transported to the hospital.

Only a month earlier, Drivers John Nause and Christine Seibert had a similar experience. When they tried to deliver a meal to a Clyde senior, no one answered the door. After knocking a few times, they entered the home to find that the elderly woman had fallen and hurt herself. They quickly called 911 and she was taken to the hospital.

Good job, guys!

Members of Seneca County Homenet program, above, pose for a holiday photo with Homenet Family Advocate Sue Madden and Employment Services Coordinator Ragan Claypool.

From left, front, are Julie Betz, Tuesday Wyss, Madden, Melissa Meyers, Kris Stennet, Kenny Sauber, Anita Sanchez, Claypool, and Pam Farrar. In the back, from left are Norbert Benevidez, Heather Hardy, Becky Brucker (of First Step), Annette Cleveland, Valerie Cap, and Shar Harmon.

The group were the guests of the Tiffin VFW Ladies Auxiliary at a dinner prepared by the ladies. While the parents dined, their children were also treated to an evening of fun, pizza and a visit from Santa Claus. The ladies have provided this service to the Homenet program for the past four years.

A familiar face
After five years as a home visitor, Billie Weiser still loves helping families

BILLIE WEISER

Full name: Billie J. Weiser

Address: Fremont OH

Family:Husband Mark; sons Jody, 30; college freshman, Doug, 19; and high school sophomore Kyle 15.

Occupation: Curently, Billie is a Family Advocate for Elmore and Oak Harbor Child Development Centers. She joined WSOS as a Home Visitor, a position she held for five years.

Favorite part of the job: Billie said the best part of her job is working with the great team of co-workers that she has. In additon, she said it is a special joy to get to know the families she works with as a family advocate.

Goals: Her ongoing goal is to continually become a better person and improve in her job performance.

Interests/Hobbies: She said she loves to watch her sons participate in their various activities. Her youngest son Kyle plays hockey. Also, the boys, along with husband Mark, enjoy riding motorcycles, and she joins them in their various adventures on the motorcycles.