February Minutes

Collaborative Meeting Minutes

February 24, 2011  –  1:00 – 2:30 pm

Lakewood Family Y.M.C.A.

Our Mission:

“The Lakewood Family Collaborative is a group of agencies, organizations and concerned individuals working together to make sure a network of services and supports are available and accessible to children, youth and families.”

2011 Focus – “Building and strengthening relationships in order to increase participation

for the betterment of Lakewood families and the community.”

 

All were welcomed by Bruce Chamberlin and asked to tell something awesome that they bring to the community.  A few of the responses included working with families; hunger relief and neighbor support; this group making a difference; sense of dedication to help people connect and get help; past experience; willingness to help; passion for working with families in the community; resources; working on getting the information out; help and support to one kid at a time; enthusiasm and passion to create solutions; bringing Collab to the City and advocacy work; addressing hardships; being optimistic with kids; amplify good deeds of people in community; knowledge of resources; personal history of what has been done to help people; taking a pro active approach in community.

 

Collaborative Spotlight & Discussion

Bryan Kessler, Program Director, Opportunity House in Garfield Heights which is a permanent supportive housing program that targets 18 to 24 year old homeless males who have aged out of foster care and have a diagnosed disability.   These males must pass a drug test, go to work or school 20 hours a week, have mandatory case management, pay rent of 30% of their income (they get financial assistance – minimum of $50 a month). They are accepting referrals from all areas.

Table discussion followed wherein members were asked to imagine themselves as 18 and homeless…what would you want?  Responses included job and training skills; a place to sleep; informal support (friends, faith based, like-minded); food; need to know where to go; independence; cell phone; bus pass; someone to end the chaos; a sense of family; encouragement and expectations; opportunity to interact with peers; respect; point of direction; stability in mentoring.

Lakewood Collab By-Laws – Copies of the by-laws were distributed for members to peruse.  These will also be sent out in the newsletter and voted on in March.  A slate of officers will be available by April.  The new Leadership Team will be voted on in May.

 

County Corner – Update

• Deb Forkas’ last day is March 14^th A search committee is being set up and interviews will take place in the next two weeks.  No interim director has been assigned.
• RFPs are being written for F2F grants and will be out by June.  This process will be highly competitive this time around.

 

Positive Education Program presentation by Ann Ganin introducing a new project at DCFS involving early childhood (0 – 5) with mental health concerns for which they need referrals.  They must have a DCFS worker, mental health issues (aggression, anger, parent/peer relationships, in-home counseling for kids 0-5).  Service is immediate.

Committee Reports –

Adoption/Foster Care – The first quarterly meeting of this committee will be in March.  Plans are to refine the same events as in 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

Job Seekers – The job searching skills and personal career/job search coaching has been a success was it was when first offered.  People can also call Tri-C to avail themselves of these services.

 

Education/School Supplies – Committee is meeting next week.  Focus this year is specific to needs of middle and high school students.

 

Membership – Attendees who have not filled out the membership form were requested to do so.

 

ASIA/Drug Free Communities – Moving forward with grant to be submitted in March.  There is a Westshore Young Leaders program through WEB centered around creating a leadership group from each school and promoting events.

 

Announcements/Updates – Lakewood Community Relations Committee’s Diversity Potluck was very successful.

 

• Next meeting is March 24^th at the Lakewood Family Y.M.C.A. 2^nd Floor meeting room from 1 – 2:30 p.m.

THANK YOU for building and growing with us!

The Lakewood Family Collaborative

Usually meets the fourth Thursday of each month, 1:00 – 2:30 pm,

at the Lakewood Family YMCA, 16915 Detroit Avenue.

All are welcome and encouraged to attend, so please spread the word!

·          “LIKE” us on Facebook – “Lakewood Family Collaborative”

·          Check us out on the Observation Deck of the Lakewood Observer

• Follow our monthly eNewsletter – subscribe @ lakewoodfamilycollab@gmail.com

January Lakewood Collab Minutes

Lakewood Family Collaborative

Collaborative Meeting Minutes

January 27, 2011

Lakewood Public Library

1:00 – 2:30 pm

Our Mission:

“The Lakewood Family Collaborative is a group of agencies, organizations and concerned individuals working together to make sure a network of services and supports are available and accessible to children, youth and families.”

2011 Focus – “Building and strengthening relationships in order to increase participation

for the betterment of Lakewood families and the community.”

 

All were welcomed by Bruce Chamberlin in Mary’s absence.

Collaborative Spotlight & Discussion

• Dr. Henry Ng, Clinical Director of MetroHealth Medical Center’s Pride Clinic located at The Thomas E. McCafferty Health Center, 4242 Lorain Ave., Cleveland.  The Pride Clinic opened in April of 2007, serving the health needs of the LGBT community, however, anyone can receive care, however appointments are needed.  The question of where to refer clients was raised and they may be referred to the LGBT Center (651-LGBT).  The Pride Clinic is planning to open an office in Lakewood with the deadline of April of 2011.  A brief discussion followed on how to broach this subject with someone and then discreetly refer them.
• Lakewood Observer Publisher, Jim O’Bryan, and Mel Page presented the history and an overview of both the paper and online newspapers.  Maneuvering the site, listing on the Community Calendar, registering to submit stories or add to the online discussion on the Observation Deck, and classified ads were among the areas covered.

Committee Reports – Due to the Spotlight presentations going longer than expected and technical problems that caused a delay in starting the meeting, Committee Reports and Updates were tabled.

 

JOB SEEKERS
Cuyahoga Community College will be facilitating job searching skills workshops once again in Lakewood.  The dates are Tuesdays; February 1, 8. 15. 22 from 9:30am-12:30pm at the Lakewood Library Main Branch (Multi-Purpose Room).  Also tying into this, personal career/job search coaching will be offered on Fridays.  An appointment is needed to see one of the Tri-C professionals on Fridays (Feb 4, 11, 18 and 25) between 1pm-4pm.

Updates – Lakewood Community Relations Committee’s Diversity Potluck will be tonight at the Women’s Pavilion from 6:00 to 8:15 p.m.

 

• Next meeting is February 24^th at the Lakewood Family Y.M.C.A. 2^nd Floor meeting room from 1 – 2:30 p.m.

THANK YOU for building and growing with us!

The Lakewood Family Collaborative

Usually meets the fourth Thursday of each month, 1:00 – 2:30 pm,

at the Lakewood Family YMCA, 16915 Detroit Avenue.

All are welcome and encouraged to attend, so please spread the word!

·          “LIKE” us on Facebook – “Lakewood Family Collaborative”

·          Check us out on the Observation Deck of the Lakewood Observer

• Follow our monthly eNewsletter – subscribe @ lakewoodfamilycollab@gmail.com