By Dawn Scotland
The Truth Reporter
The Neighborhood Health Association hosted its second annual Super Heros Need Support Too resource and workshop fair for grandparents and kinship caregivers raising children Tuesday, September 24, at Ceder Creek Church South Campus.
“A group of organizations decided to put this together because there are so many seniors that are taking care of their grandkids or great great grandkids… We want them to know that they are not alone and that there is support out there in the community,” stated Monica Morales, project coordinator of Neighborhood Health Association and the ‘Super Heros’ event planning chairperson.
According to statistics supplied by the state of Ohio, more than 227,000 children in the state under the age of 18 live in homes whose caregivers are relatives other than their parents and, across the nation, approximately 2.6 million children live with a kinship caregiver.
“We wanted to bring in organizations that are able to provide resources that meet the challenges that people face – legal, financial, even where to enroll your kids in school,” she continued.
“This years’ event we are highlighting the mental health aspect because it’s so important for caregivers to remember to stop and take care of themselves,” said Morales.
The one stop shop resource fair featured 14 vendors including Neighborhood Health Association, Lucas County Job and Family Services, Lucas County Children Services, several mental health providers, healthcare vendors, the Ohio Unity Coalition and Ohio Mom’s Demand Action – ‘Be Smart’ program, among others.
The event provided free lunch and keynote speakers who shared tips and tools on how to navigate through different challenges from their varied experiences, giving advice to those in need and letting people know they’re not alone. The free event was held from 9:30am-1:30pm. NHA plans to host this event annually.
Presentations included:
Area Office on Aging (AOOA)
- Marsha Rose, LSW, Supervisor, Kinship Navigator Program, Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc.
- Arcelia Armstrong, LSW Director, Caregiver Support & Kinship Navigator Programs
Harbor/ Lighthouse EAP
– Madison Pakulski – Care Coordinator, Hospital Liaison
Lucas County Department of Job and Family Services (LCJFS)
– Michael Pidsony – Community Outreach Liaison
Unison Health
– Lee Ann Cox, Early Childhood Mental Health Program Manager
- Megan Rinehart, Director of Child and Family Program
Guest speakers included:
- Felica Clark – Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access of Metroparks Toledo
- Kym Pullom – CEO and Founder of Peaceful Pathways, LLC
- Diane Sweinhagen – Clinical Director at the Sophia Center
NHA will be hosting a hygiene drive for the students at Jones Leadership Academy of Business the whole month of October to eliminate period and hygiene poverty for students. To donate visit nhainc.org/hygiene-product-donation-drive/ at NHA’s website for more information.
NHA is collecting these items to support the students:
- toothpaste
-
NHA’s ‘Superheros’ event hosted over 14 vendors toothbrushes
- dental floss
- mouthwash
- deodorant
- bar soap
- menstrual products
- underwear
- body lotion
- face wash
- textured hair shampoo/conditioner
Drop off dates: Tuesday, Oct. 1 – Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024 (view drop off location list at NHAINC.org)