| The WSOS Press - February / March 2004 |
Tornado Recovery Project earns award from OACAA
Representatives from three partner organizations were present at the OACAA Best Practice Awards breakfast to be honored for the work they did to help victims of a 2002 tornado that devastated sections of Seneca and Ottawa counties.
WSOS, which was one of the partner organizations that worked to help victims, nominated the project.
"This is really nice," said Pat DeMonte of the Tiffin United Way referring to the award. "The tornado project was a project of love. We are really grateful that we were able to assist people."
The Best Practices award honors proven innovative and effective programs, projects, and processes that member community action agencies have participated in to serve its communities. It is a collaboration of OACAA and the John Glenn Institute for Public Policy and Public Service of The Ohio State University.
The awards breakfast was February 13 in Columbus.
WSOS secures funds to help residents with disabilities
Residents who receive benefits from social security, are between 18 and 64 years of age, who have a disability, and who would like to work, can find assistance finding a job at WSOS Community Action Commission Inc.
WSOS is now one of a few Employment Network providers that assists these residents with job development, case management, or other support services.
Once a beneficiary receives a ticket in the mail from the Social Security Administration that tells them they are eligible for this program, then they can choose an Employment Network such as WSOS. Then, WSOS determines the needs of the person and develops a work plan to help them accomplish their goals.
These individuals can earn between $6 and $12 per hour through this program. The individuals may also keep their Medicare benefits up to about eight years while employed. One benefit of enrolling in the program is that the person is not subjected to Social Security Administration reviews as frequently.
Board member profile
Jerry Dick joins board to help others in his community
|
Name: Jerry A. Dick
Address: Flat Rock, Ohio
Family: Wife Shirley; son Duane; and one brother.
Employment: Jerry is twice retired. He is retired from GTE after 37 years and retired from the Bellevue Fire Department after 30 years.
Goal as a board member: His greatest desire is to help others in the community. So, he sees his involvement with WSOS as a means of accomplishing this goal.
Board Status: Jerry was appointed to the board by the Seneca County Commissioners. His term began January 2004.
Hobbies/Interests: He said he loves camping in the summer time and especially enjoys attending the Ohio Good Sam Samborees in the spring, summer and fall. In the winter, he spends his time playing dartball.
|
CCC camp readying itself for new corps members
|
The Barney Quilter Civilian Conservation Corps Camp in Green Springs is now accepting applications for people interested in participating in the programs provided at the camp. Now under the administration of WSOS Community Action Commission Inc., the camp will continue to provide employment and training skills as well as life skills to young adults 18 to 24 years old.
Some work skills are provided at the recycling center and a Computer Numeric Control Sign Shop, both located at the camp. Other skills are learned through community conservation projects that communities request the camp to complete. The recycling center processes recyclable materials for the Ottawa-Sandusky-Seneca Joint Solid Waste Management District. Using the Computer Numeric Control application, the sign shop creates and designs signs made from recycled materials
|
Excellent services continue during merger transition
|
All staff are now in place in the newly established Family Development department. Next, as each one familiarizes him/herself with new duties, they are continuing to provide excellent services to children, families and individuals who are served by the programs in the new department.
"We are asking others to be patient with us as we transition into our new jobs, environment, and department," said Cheryl Denny, vice president of the new department. "Service to all who come to us for assistance remains our priority.
We promise our partners that the quality of service they have come to expect from us remains the same."
In fact, the new department expects to improve its services since the merger has led to the establishment of a better communication system. President/CEO Don Stricker said he is extremely gratified to see the merger take place as it has been a part of the agency's strategic plan.
"I sincerely believe the outcome will be more effective, comprehensive services to families," Stricker said.
Director's corner
Community Development staff use skills to help others
|
Community Development staff at WSOS are applying their knowledge of community and organizational planning. Completed projects range from a wide-ranging Sandusky County Comprehensive Plan, complete with GIS partner Reveille Ltd. and chapters on transportation, infrastructure, natural resources, demographics, and other factors, to housing improvement strategies, countywide economic development strategies, and downtown development plans.
The planning process includes public hall" meetings, focus groups, conversations, and stakeholder committees. Then, plan facilitators scan today's environment and forces of change. Finally, the plan describes the desired future with words and maps, and offers steps that can be taken to achieve that future.
The WSOS-facilitated Project Good Start, largely funded by USDA Rural Development, provided assistance to about 50 small, rural Ohio communities. Currently, this engagement and planning process is active, through Great Lakes RCAP, in over 18 new towns in 6 states. This project is succeeding in improving communication, leadership, and collaborations to achieve local goals and create a better awareness of community assets on which to build and
• The Clyde Senior Center is expected to move into its new home at Laurelhurst Senior Housing complex in March. A date has not yet been scheduled. The center is soliciting donations to help furnish its new home.
• The Oak Harbor Senior Center will be closed effective March 1. Also, meals to the homebound in Ottawa County have been reduced to a few days each week effective Feb. 1. Call 419-734-1481 for delivery schedule.
• The Child Development programs in Sandusky County will participate again the communitywide Story Book Festival in April. The festival is part of the celebration of Week of the Young Child. Child Development programs in the other counties are also participating in events to mark the celebration in their counties.
• Ottawa County children in the Child Development programs sent "thank-yous" to the Port Clinton Kiwanis Club for their annual Christmas Party. Thank-yous are also in order for The Focus newspaper, which provides an annual Christmas Party for the children at the Fostoria Child Development Center, as well as Sandusky County's Community Christmas, which provided the children at the Fremont Family Development Center with Christmas gifts.
• Rachel Faris of the WSOS Senior Center in Port Clinton was recently elected president of the Ottawa County Board of Social Concerns.
• Housing and Energy's Director Chuck Wright was elected to the Board of Directors of the Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy (OPAE) at the OACAA's winter conference.
A familiar face
Clevenger simply enjoys helping others solve problems
|
Full name: Hortensia V. Clevenger
Address: Huron, Ohio
Family: Husband Jay; son Jason; and Alex, the family dog.
Occupation: Currently, Hortensia is the Child/Youth Manager in the Family Development Department. Her career at WSOS began in 1975 when she was hired as a home visitor. She also worked in Employment & Training as a Youth Coordinator in Wood County. She spent time as Executive Assistant to the President/CEO and more recently was an assistant director in the former Child Development Department.
Favorite part of the job: Hortensia said she gets much satisfaction from working with her co-workers and helping others to resolve problems they may encounter.
Goals: Her personal goal is to earn a master's degree. Her professional goal is to do the best job she is capable of doing.
Interests/Hobbies: She loves gardening, reading, and science fiction movies. But, she gets special joy from her son's sporting events.
|
Top