Poverty Simulation
United W
ay Services of Geauga County hosted a poverty simulation on July 28 at the Kent State University campus in Burton, Ohio. Facilitated by the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, the simulation allowed volunteers and participants to experience what it is like to live in poverty in Geauga County.
The event simulated a month in low-income families’ lives, with each week being 13 minutes. Attendees were broken into families based on social work cases from Missouri Community Action Network, which originally designed the simulation kit. Volunteers acted as staff of the social and community agencies that low-income families often interact with.
Approximately 60 people attended the simulation, including business representatives, lawmakers and the staff from local social services agencies. The simulation was very impactful and illustrated the difficulties low income families have navigating the social services system and simply surviving. To read more go to the Poverty Simulation Article.
Young Leaders’ Meet & Cheese
The Young Professional Leaders – United Way Services of Geauga County’s first networking and information event was a great success! Thank you to Sharon James Cellars for hosting! For more information on Young Professional Leaders go to Young Professionals Leaders or check our Young Professionals Leaders Facebook Page.
Help Me Learn Day Gets Even Better!
Geauga Job and Family Services’ Help Me Learn Day, which provides free school supplies to low-income families, got even better this year by partnering with Morning Star Friends Church, United Way Services of Geauga County, the Geauga County Public Library and many other agencies. Free socks, underwear, clothing, books and other resources were provided to families in need. Thanks to the many volunteers who made this day possible!
Thank You Summer Interns!
Olivia Tiber a senior at Berkshire High School while taking college-level courses at Kent State University Geauga Campus this fall. She came to work at United Way Services of Geauga County through the Geauga Growth Partnership intern program. The competition to become an intern through this program was great and Olivia stood out as a mature, competent and capable candidate.
Olivia was a perfect fit for a non-profit seeking to connect people and resources to improve lives. She demonstrated her compassion in continuing her involvement in overcoming homelessness, writing prompts to guide people in journaling as a time and stress management tool, and preparing books for “Help me Learn” events.
Olivia toured 2-1-1 to get a better understanding of the inner workings of the service and witnessing the magnitude of caller needs, she actively participated in meetings with community partners and UWSGC staff offering new perspectives and valuable comments.
Finally, as always needed in a service organization, she exhibited her willingness to pitch in wherever needed – applying stickers, helping with mailings, sorting and counting and most importantly, always greeting people with a warm smile.
Thank you Olivia! We wish you all the best in your future endeavors!
Allie Kovatch, a junior at Chagrin Falls High School and daughter of a board member, Allie was a great help this summer! Through her work she showed that she truly cares about our Geauga County community.
She worked side-by-side with the entire United Way team, engaging in meaningful projects and supporting the development of the 2016 Annual United Way Campaign. Allie worked on independent projects and tasks and joined the staff for several off-site meetings and site visits. For example, she learned the importance of the Community Garden at the Chagrin Falls Park Community Center from the nutritional aspect to cost savings to the positive social impact it has on the community.
Thank you Allie and best wishes as you return to school!
Upcoming Events
Wine in the West Woods
We invite you to be part of the solution as the Women’s Leadership Council Hosts:
Wine in the West Woods
Thursday, August 25th from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Affelder House in the West Woods
15139 Chillicothe Road in Russell
To RSVP or for more information go to
Women’s Leadership Council
or contact Betsy Covington at
bcovington@uws.org
Annual Bill Conway Founders Charity Golf Classic
Date: Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Registration: 10:00 am Tee Off: 11:30 am (shotgun start)
Location: Sand Ridge Golf Club, 12150 Mayfield Road in Chardon
We are pleased to announce Fairmount Santrol and Calfee will be teaming up once again to support United Way Services of Geauga County by sponsoring the 2016 Bill Conway Founders Golf Classic.
We would like to invite you to share with us in honoring Bill Conway’s legacy of community investment.
Please go to Bill Conway Golf Classic to register.
For questions or to pay by check, please contact Kristin Lewis or Laura Vargo at ConwayOuting@FairmountSantrol.com
Event proceeds will benefit the United Way Services of Geauga County and a portion of your contributions will be tax-deductible as a charitable contribution.
As always, we hope you are able to find ways to become involved in our community. It is through our collective efforts that real change can be accomplished. If you are looking for ways to become engaged, please give us a call, we would love the opportunity to speak with you!
Call our office at 440-285-2261.
Pictured In Photo: Top Left: Allie Kovatch, Top Right: Young Leaders’ Meet & Cheese, Bottom Left: Olivia Tiber, Bottom Right: Help Me Learn Day
