H2O Brings In The New Year With Changes
New addition to the H2O team, Vanessa Lange.
H2O, “Help to Others” will celebrate its twentieth year as a program of the City of Lakewood’s Division of Youth in 2013. It is a program that has grown and blossomed under the leadership of its founder, Celia Dorsch. Effective December 31, 2011 Ceil has retired and it has been a bittersweet farewell for those who worked with her; colleagues in the city, school staff, community leaders, social service agencies – and of course the kids. There have been thousands of kids who have participated in H20 programming and have had the chance to develop as leaders and activists while participating in any or all of the H20 program components.
Celia was hired 22 years ago to be a youth activities coordinator for the Youth Office. Her duties and responsibilities centered around developing meaningful, safe and fun activities for Lakewood youth…and did she ever! She planned dances and games and all kinds of after school and summer social activities, always with the goal of engaging a wide range of adolescents and teens. While attending a Service Learning Conference in Columbus, Ceil and Mary Hall, the assistant Director for the Division of Youth, had a critical realization: kids didn't need to be entertained, they needed to be actively involved in their community. Kids could be engaged, valued, learn and have fun through community volunteering... That moment of realization formed the guiding vision of what has become a dynamic, responsive, and treasured program that is still growing.
The service learning will continue! Emmie Hutchison has assumed the role of coordinator, and we are proud to announce that there is a new addition to the team, Vanessa Lange. She comes to H2O with five years of professional and volunteer experience in youth development and service learning. After graduating from the College of Wooster in 2006, Vanessa served as an Americorps VISTA in San Jose, California, where she coordinated a volunteer ESL and citizenship tutoring program for elderly immigrants. Vanessa has also worked as a site manager for an after-school literacy program and, most recently, as a youth development program assistant with Ohio State University Extension’s 4-H program. Outside of work, Vanessa spends her time volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Cleveland Metroparks’ Youth Outdoors program. She is also currently working towards her Master’s Degree in Education at Kent State University. She resides in Lakewood and enjoys hiking, reading, traveling, and exploring the Cleveland area. Her passion for service and working with young adults made her an ideal fit for working with H2O, and we are so pleased to have her on board.
With staffing in place, H2O will continue its after-school, extra-curricular programs at the Middle Schools, February through April. Middle school participants work alongside trained high school volunteers to create service projects to help their community. The high school program calendar is filled with a wide variety of opportunities for kids to actively get involved at including, the Food Bank, Ronald McDonald House, nursing homes, food delivery in collaboration with Lakewood Community Services Center, and daily calls for assistance for local agencies and organizations. In addition, H2O volunteers will be helping at numerous community and school events.
SAVE THE DATE: The annual Breakfast With the Bunny pancake breakfast will be March 31 at Lakewood Park Women’s Pavilion. This event sells out each year, so watch for details in March! Also watch for registration information for H20’s Middle School Summer Service camp.
While facing the challenges that come with change, we are also embracing the spirit and excitement it can bring. It is a wonderful time to become involved with H2O, and there are plenty of ways to support our year-around programming. For example, we will be kicking off our “For the Kids” campaign in March. With your tax deductible contributions, YOU can help us ensure that these amazing programs will be available for Lakewood youth for another 20 years…
If you have any questions about how to become involved with H2O, call Emmie Hutchison at 529-6045.
Emmie Hutchison is the coordinator of H2O.