Appreciation for the Ohio Family Care Association

On behalf of ACTION Ohio (Alumni of Care Together Improving Outcomes Now) and the OHIO Youth Advisory Board (Overcoming Hurdles in Ohio), we want to thank OFCA for recognizing our efforts in their December 2016 newsletter.

Christmas 2015

For Ohio foster care alumni and allies, Christmas is about paying it forward. Sending love and gratitude to Starfish Alliance, LINK-22, and Beacon360... And most of all, to Ann Bischoff.

December 10th Training and Planning Meeting with OSU

December Brainstorming for 2016 #ACTION Steps

2015 Central Ohio Thanksgiving Dinner

Link to more photos.

The 2015 Central Ohio Thanksgiving took place in Columbus:  

• Date: Sunday, November 22, 2015 
• Time: 1:00 - 4:00 pm 
• Location: eStem Academy, 8579 Summit Road, Reynoldsburg OH 43068
  *Part of Reynoldsburg High School's Summit Campus 

Sponsors: 

• The Columbus Foundation 
• Reynoldsburg City Schools, including the Leo Club 
• National Council of Jewish Women, Columbus Section 
• Starfish Alliance and LINK-22 
• United Methodist Children's Home 
• Cafe Brioso 
• Half Price Books 
• B'Marie School of Dance 
• Chapel North 
• SAFY of Ohio 
• Frisch's 
• Piada Italian Street Food 

Planning Committee Members: 

• Lisa Dickson, ACTION Ohio 
• Ann Bischoff, Starfish Alliance

Ohio's very FIRST Southeast Thanksgiving Dinner

Link to more photos.

Ohio's very FIRST Southeast Thanksgiving took place in Athens:

• Date: Sunday, November 15, 2015 
• Time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm 
• Location: Ohio University, Jefferson Hall

Sponsors:

• Ohio University 
• Athens AM Rotary Club 
• ACTION Ohio 
• Athens County Children Services 
• Athens County CASA 
• Athens County Foster Parent Association 
• Vinton County Jaycees: The United States Junior Chamber 
• Performance Signs 

Planning Committee:

• Lisa Dickson and Jamole Callahan, ACTION Ohio 
• Jenny Stotts, Athens County CASA
• Jacob Okumu, Ohio University 
• Michael Outrich, Kimberly Moore, OHIO Reach 
• Lisa Seitz, Athens County Children Services

2015 NE Ohio Thanksgiving Together

Link to more photos.

The 2015 NE Ohio Thanksgiving took place in Cleveland:

• Date: Saturday, November 14, 2015 
• Time: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm 
• Location: Saint Ignatius High School, 1911 West 30th St., Cleveland OH 44113 

Sponsors:

• St. Ignatius High School 
• Cuyahoga County and Children and Family Services 
• National Council of Jewish Women
• Cleveland Section Junior League of Ohio 
• Adoption Network Cleveland 
• The Purple Project 
• Fill This House 
• Fostering the Soul 
• Professional Business Associates 

Planning Committee:

• Danielle Green-Welch, Cuyahoga Children and Family Services 
• Lisa Dickson, ACTION Ohio 
• Jennifer Zisk-Vitron, Adoption Network Cleveland 
• LaTasha Watts, The Purple Project 
• Beth Dawson, Fostering the Soul

2015 SW Ohio Thanksgiving Together

Link to more photos.

The 2015 SW Ohio Thanksgiving took place in Cincinnati:

•  Date: Saturday, November 14, 2015 
• Time: From Noon - 2:30 pm 
• Location: Peoples Church, 220 William Howard Taft Road, Cincinnati OH 45219 

Sponsors:

• The Peoples Church 
• Lighthouse Youth Services 
• Forgotten Initiative 
• Home Emporium 
• Montgomery County JFS
• Saint Paul Community United Methodist Church 
• Cody's Caring Clothing Charity 

Planning Committee:

• Katie Deyo, The Peoples Church 
• Val Bairnsfather, Safe Pastures Transitional Living 
• Lisa Dickson and Sarah Callihan, ACTION Ohio 
• Laquita Howell and Tatiana McCormick, Hamilton County YAB 
• Meredith Hicks, Lighthouse Youth Services

Getting ready for upcoming Thanksgiving dinners

#ACTION Update ~ Alumni of Care Together Improving Outcomes Now

Ohio foster care alumni are currently planning ahead to facilitate two on-campus events in for foster care teens (ages 14+) at The Ohio State University in 2016.

On April 22, 2015, Ohio foster care alumni partnered with Dr. Terrell Strayhorn and OSU campus organizations including the Center for Higher Education Enterprises, the P12 initiative and the OSU Social Work Field Department to host(and field-test) “College for a Day.”

This all-day on-campus experience was designed specifically to measure and then increase youth knowledge and awareness when it comes to higher education. It included presentations from the Admissions and Financial Aid Departments, a campus tour, a basketball game at the Rec Center, a student panel, and youth focus groups.

The event was a success, we were able to reach 44 Franklin County foster youth. Afterwords, we met with Dr. Terrell Strayhorn's staff from CHEE to discuss what went well, and what we might tweak in order for the event to be even more successful in the future... His staff members, Chris Travers and Trevion Henderson, are wonderful, and his entire team is committed to support this event. We are scheduled to lead a training for his staff on Dec. 10, 2015.

In order to reach, empower and prepare additional young people, we will be holding two “College for the Day” events on April 20, and October 5, 2016. We are planning for 40 youth per event, and would like to extend this opportunity -- and share this model -- to Ohio counties throughout the state.

We continue to build on-campus support for this endeavor. The latest ally on our team is Lauren Heatherly: she works for OSU Financial Aid, and has a Social Work background. She is passionate, energetic, and visionary -- she can truly see how, with support, our young people can succeed in higher education.

2015 Ohio CASA Conference

Representatives from the OHIO Youth Advisory Board and ACTION Ohio (Alumni of Care Together Improving Outcomes Now) partnered to make the youth empowerment presentation during the 2015 Ohio CASA conference a success.

Youth panelists included: 

• Shameka Smith 
• Brittany Jackson 
• Hunter Daniels 

ACTION Ohio representatives were:

• Olena Sowers 
• Doris Edelmann 
• Lisa Dickson

Foster care youth, alumni and allies were able to meet with Senator Rob Portman, and thank him for being a champion for our youth -- particularly those who "age out" of foster care and experience couch surfing.

ACTION Ohio featured in ODJFS First Friday

2015 Fostering Pathways to Success Conference

Two members of the ACTION Ohio leadership team received "Founder Awards" during the 2015 Fostering Pathways to Success conference.

Miami County Youth Advisory Board Retreat

Representatives from ACTION Ohio were honored to facilitate the Miami County YAB Retreat.

ACTION Ohio Leadership Meetings

Alumni of Care Together Improving Outcomes Now (ACTION)

Foster Care Youth Express Their Creative Talents

Many thanks to Jessica Hollins and My Very Own Blanket for hosting...

2015 Canoeing Trip to Celebrate Academic and Personal Progress by Youth

Many thanks to Domenic Buccilla and Hero USA:

2015 Mahoning County Youth Leadership Retreat

Facilitated by Lisa Dickson

2015 SW Ohio Youth Leadership Training

Facilitated by Doris Edelmann and Lisa Dickson:

Stark County YAB Youth Leadership Retreat

 The Stark County Youth Advisory Board Retreat took place on June 12, 2015. This one-day event was proudly facilitated by Olena Sowers and Lisa Dickson. 

Link to more photos.

Stark County Youth Advisory Board

Who We Are:

• We exist to be the countywide voice for foster youth, in and out of the system

• We are a group of current and former foster youth, along with adult support

• We are ONE!

What We Do:

• We give foster care a good name

• We speak on behalf of thousands of youth in care

• We advocate for those with NO voice

• We inspire and empower youth: “You are important and can succeed”

• We try to improve foster care for current and former foster youth

• We help create “normal” lives for youth in care

Our Goals and Action Steps:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Three Days on the Hill ~ Sightseeing and Trip Home

Link to more photos.

2015 Three Days on the Hill ~ Legislative Visits and Celebratory Banquet

Link to more photos.

Three Days on the Hill ~ Legislative Visits and Meeting with HUD

Link to more photos.

2015 Three Days on the Hill ~ Training Day

During Three Days on the Hill 2015, our subject matter experts during training were:

• Ruthie White, Executive Director of the National Center for Housing and Child Welfare 
•  Matt Aronson, Program Specialist at the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development

Link to more photos.

Spring 2015 - College for the Day at OSU

2015 Planning Committee for OSU Visit

2015 Ohio Fostering Connections Advocacy Day

Link to more photos.

Spring 2015 - Paul Mitchell's Visit

Spring 2015 - Columbus State Community College Visit

Hamilton County Youth and Alumni Leadership Retreat