NEWSLETTER

P2R is fortunate to have some of the most committed and conscientious staff in the social service field. There is always a staff person that goes beyond the call of duty and this month we celebrate Felicia Baggett. Felicia is a Certified Peer Specialist at P2R, as well as the Intake Coordinator. Her job duties include co-facilitating employment readiness groups (REO) with the Executive Director Wendy Caldwell. Ms. Caldwell’s busy schedule often takes her away from facilitating groups. Felicia has sharpened her skills to the point where she can effortlessly facilitate groups without assistance. REO participants are fully engaged and go through various phases of preparedness before being placed on a job assignment. Felicia has been instrumental in building a relationship with one of our premier employers, Summit Valley. This partnership has led to several job placements including 11 REO participants working at the Cuyahoga and Lorain County Fairs. Felicia coordinated the entire fair project by recruiting the right participants and coordinating their schedules to cover both fairs. She implemented a transportation plan that included P2R staff and made sure workers were transported timely to the fairgrounds on their scheduled work day. Felicia demonstrated exemplary organizational skills. The rapport she had with workers created an atmosphere of cooperation and high productivity. It is our honor to recognize Ms. Felicia Baggett for her extraordinary accomplishments and thank her for creating second chances for the underserved residents of Lorain County. Congratulations on being named Employee of the Month.

P2R is extremely excited about the accomplishments in the month of August. Throughout the month, we have experienced a high success rate of REO graduates being placed on transitional and long term jobs with a livable wage. One example was a workforce collaboration with Summit Valley, one of our premier employment partners. Summit Valley exclusively hired P2R clients to provide janitorial services for the Cuyahoga County Fair and the Lorain County Fair. To prepare our clients for this assignment, P2R conducted an orientation at our office that included the expectations of the employer and a refresher on soft skills learned during REO Sessions. Felicia Baggett spearheaded the project and helped clients complete the onboarding process and provided them with a schedule of their work days. P2R provided snacks, water, and transportation to and from the fairgrounds. Eleven of our clients participated in this venture and their performance was exceptional. This transitional employment opportunity helped prepare clients with limited work experience for sustainable jobs. P2R’s goal is to assist clients with gainful employment and create avenues for independence. We also assist clients with triggers associated with money and substance use through peer mentorship, and discussions on financial literacy. The clients demonstrated positive work ethics and enthusiasm about becoming self-sufficient. We are encouraged by this paradigm shift after months of seeing low motivation to work during the height of Covid 19 Pandemic. P2R believes we have finally turned the corner towards stability for the population we serve.

We are pleased to share this incredible story of hard work and dedication displayed by 25 year old Jahwaun Norris. Jahwaun was referred to P2R by OhioMeansJobs (OMJ) after he ran into transportation issues while attending training at Great Lakes Truck Driving School in Columbia Station. Jahwaun had been working and attending training to obtain his CDL for several weeks and ran into obstacles after his car was in an accident. He lost employment and transportation to truck driving school. These challenges could potentially derail his plans on becoming a truck driver and securing sustainable employment. Our Workforce Supervisor, Isrom Johnson committed to creating a transportation schedule for P2R to transport Jahwaun to and from training for 5 weeks, starting at 6:00 am with pick up at 7:00 pm. During those 5 weeks, Jahwaun faced insurmountable daily life struggles like clothing, food, shelter, etc. He persevered through every challenge, with a firm resolve to accomplish his goal. Jahwaun completed his training, received his CDL and signed on for a truck driving job in Texas. He shared with us his desire to travel the world and be self-sufficient. We celebrated with Jahwaun and helped him prepare for the next leg of his journey. P2R provided Jahwaun with a durable duffle bag, clothing, hygiene products, a fresh haircut and planned to take him to the airport. On the eve of his departure, Jahwaun discovered there was an issue with his drivers license and they were no longer valid. This unbelievable occurrence knocked the wind out of Jahwaun, yet he spoke of his faith and the Executive Director advised him to believe in his prayers and go to Texas. After Jahwaun was in Texas, Team P2R went to work getting fines and reinstatement fees paid, and pleading with OMV to expedite the release of the young man’s license. We are proud to announce, Jahwaun Norris officially has his CDL and he is a truck driver for Trans Am Truck Driving Company out of Texas. Congratulations Jahwaun!!!

Special Thanks

P2R would like to thank the Workforce and Outreach Supervisor, Isrom Johnson for his unwavering support of clients overcoming extraordinary challenges. The entire P2R Team played a significant role in helping Jahwaun complete the Great Lakes Truck Driving School, but Mr. Johnson provided the majority of the transportation in the early morning hours and the late evenings. Without his willingness to work outside of his normal work schedule, Jahwaun would have been incapable of finishing his training. Mr. Johnson has also been instrumental in assisting clients with linkage to employment and housing, as well as getting food boxes to clients in need. In addition, Mr. Johnson has assisted the Executive Director in launching the Chance House where eligible clients can live for 90 days while they work toward employment and permanent housing solutions. P2R is fortunate to have committed staff who go to any lengths to help our clients win.

George Janosik came to P2R in June and was uncertain about the course of his life. He has had bouts with the criminal justice system and expressed a sincere desire to do something different with his life. George began attending our REO Sessions and was on track to complete the phases necessary to be placed with an employment partner. In the midst of his journey, he was faced with a dilemma that required him to do jail time. Instead of running or ignoring this legal obligation, George turned himself in and did 30 days in Medina County Jail. When it came time to be released, George advised the reentry coordinator at the jail that he would like to continue services at P2R. P2R was contacted by the jail and escorted George back to Lorain County where he was provided a reentry reception and connection to case management services. George met the criteria for placement at the Chance House for 90 days while he worked through barriers to employment and permanent housing. He immediately made himself useful by working on the garden, doing yard work and repairing bikes to be used by house residents. George engaged in services at P2R and completed his final phase of REO. P2R was able to give George a favorable recommendation and he secured employment at Valu Rooter within a couple weeks of his release from jail. George has been contacted by LMHA to apply for permanent housing and is in the process of clearing up his driver license. George has shown ambition and fortitude to gain his independence. We celebrate George and welcome him to the Winner Circle.  

Betty Gibson came to P2R as a client in June 2022. Since that time, she matriculated into an independent contract position as a Certified Peer Specialist. Betty has worked diligently assisting underserved Lorain County residents with gaining resources to improve their quality of life. She has been responsible for ensuring that P2R provides many pathways for recovery support. In her personal journey, Betty experienced some life circumstances that resulted in having a felony on her record. She often dreamed of having her record cleared, and during a Chance to Change Workshop the opportunity she had been looking for became available. During the workshop, Henry Walker from the Walker Foundation, presented information about sealing felony records. Betty listened intently about the steps required to accomplish this goal. During that same workshop, Inez James of the MHARS Board offered to donate funds to help seal records of anyone in attendance. Of all the attendees, Betty was the only one to follow through with the requirements. Betty faithfully completed all the necessary paperwork and filed for record sealment with the court.  As promised, Ms. James provided Betty with the funds to pay court fees. On August 8, 2022, Betty prayerfully entered the Court of Common Pleas to hear the disposition of her case. Betty Gibson's record was sealed and she accomplished another milestone in her journey. Betty is ecstatic about having a clean record and shows her gratitude by giving back to communities that desire a second chance. Betty is a fine example of walking by faith. Well done Betty!

Staff and Board Members launched P2R’s first employee retreat by having a dinner at Outback Steakhouse in Westlake on August 21, 2022. The weekend retreat took place at the Holiday Inn in Westlake and staff engaged in activities to strengthen their effectiveness as a team. Staff engaged in exercises to enhance their understanding of the agency mission and reviewed the collaborative partners that help us serve Lorain County residents. The retreat included skill development training on evidence-based strategies. The Executive Director, an experienced program administrator - certified in several evidenced based programs, conducted the training to equip P2R staff with the tools that increase the probability of  positive outcomes for at risk populations. . 

143 Purple Flags are waving across Lorain County to remember the number of accidental overdoses in 2021. We offer the families our sincere condolences and pay tribute to those who lost their lives. We continue to bring awareness to the opioid epidemic by promoting services that reduce the stigma and support those who need help. 

P2R spent a considerable amount of time doing community outreach at Church events, Rockin’ on the River, and Resource Fairs. Our experience with a boots on the ground approach has proven effective. Being visible in the community plays a huge role in connecting to the residents in Lorain County.. We pride ourselves in being an agency that is flexible, accessible and compassionate. When asked what we do, our response is “WE HELP PEOPLE.” We closed out our summer outreach with the Chance to Change Raffle for Reentry. The proceeds went toward supplies for the Chance House, a workforce development housing project. Shout out to Mrs. Phoebe Kirk, Operations Coordinated who enthusiastically sold the most raffle tickets for this worthy cause. We raised 2376.00 and gave out 950.00 in prizes. The residents of Chance House were grateful for the supplies and services we were able to provide due to the fundraiser.