IT ONLY TAKES A SPARK
During the last few years an increasing number of Pickaway County
residents have found it necessary to seek help for basic needs such as
housing, utilities, food, clothing. As the number of those seeking
assistance continues to grow, funding through grants and public
assistance has decreased. Working alone churches, community agencies,
service clubs and local charities were struggling to do what they could.
Realizing that the strength of a community comes from pooling our
resources and working together, a number of initiatives have been
established. A Pickaway County Resource Directory is updated and
distributed yearly. The Pickaway County Community Resource Workshops are
held quarterly to give agencies and organizations an opportunity to
share and learn more about the resources available in the community for
adults, children, and families.
In October of 2003 a Faith-based and Community Agency Group was formed
by the Pickaway County Family and Children First Council to promote
cooperation and communication between all providers. They recognized
that something was needed to empower our community. The program “Power
of One “ in Fairfield County was chosen as a model. A planning committee
was formed and thus the “Spark” of an idea was born. The first Pickaway
County Summit “It Only Takes a Spark” was held in the spring of 2004 and
facilitated by Steve Edwards. Work groups were formed around the
specific needs determined by the summit attendees, and each group chose
a project for the coming year. Mid year the summit met again to
celebrate accomplishments and encourage continued efforts. This same
format has continued with the fourth annual summit held April 27, 2007.
| Some of the projects
successfully completed by the work groups: |
• Wrote a ten year plan to
address homelessness in Pickaway County
• Designed, printed, and distributed pocket resource
directories
• Developed a directory of volunteer opportunities in
Pickaway County
• Organized and offered “Bridges Out of Poverty “ trainings
for over 700 county residents
• Designed a Youth-Mentoring Initiative where middle and
high school students served as positive role models for Head
Start children. This program received the 2006 Ohio
Community Action Best Practice Award.
|
| Current Work Groups are:
|
• Homeless Prevention
• Mentoring
• Bridges Out of Poverty
• Information, Referral, and Volunteers.
|
The continued success of the
faith-based and community group summit will depend on each one of us
lighting the fire of caring and support in our community and sharing the
“Spark” with family, friends, church, organizations and agency. Together
we can continue to make a difference. For more information on the Faith
based and Community Group:
Joy Ewing
(740)474 3105 ext. 230
EWINGJ@odjfs.state.oh.us |
Wilma Beerman
(740) 474 3105 ext 701
BEERMW@odjfs.state.oh.us |
|
