June 30, 1999
WSOS adding trio of programs to help people help selves
By Sara Eaton
Staff Writer
The Wood-Seneca-Ottawa-Sandusky Community Action Commission is adding three programs.
They will involve international education, expanded child care and job training.
Public Relations Director Joyce Huntley said the idea of WSOS is to "help people help themselves."
The first new program is the Northwest Ohio Consortium for International Training and Development, which will help women from Lebanon become leaders.
Coordinator Al Baldwin said the consortium includes the University of Toledo, Bowling Green State University, Lourdes College of Sylvania and WSOS.
Baldwin said the idea is for the professional Lebanese woman to shadow someone here with similar professional interests. Lebanon will choose women who have potential to be leaders to come to Northwest Ohio, he explained.
"This will be tailor-made to the individuals. We will specifically meet the needs, try to make it a meaningful experience," Baldwin said.
"We are taking advantage of the expertise and networks of all (of the institutions)," Baldwin said.
Although everyone involved is excited, the consortium will not find out if the grant proposal has been approved by the U.S. Information Agency until the second week of August.
U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, supports the consortium, Huntley said.
He said if the project is approved, the funds will be used for the fiscal year of Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, 2000.
A new child care center at Salem United Methodist Church, 106 Michael St., Bettsville, is the second new project on WSOS's list.
Children 3 to 4 years old who meet eligibility requirements will be allowed to spend half a day or a full day at the center.
The child development service is planning for the center to be open 6 a.m.-6 p.m. However, Hoover said they are willing to change the hours based on the needs of the families.
"We are excited about this new venture. We try to meet the needs of the community and we've identified a need in this area," Hoover said.
The children who attend the day care will learn school readiness skills as well as healthy habits like brushing their teeth and washing their hands.
Hoover said WSOS is looking to open when school starts back up, near the end of August.
The last new program involves on-the-job training.
WSOS applied to Pepperidge Farms, which will then apply to the Private Industry Council, to provide skills training to eligible community members.
Ruthann House, assistant to the WSOS president, said there will be about 100 unemployed and underemployed residents who will be chosen to receive the training.
It will take place at several different businesses in Sandusky, Ottawa, Seneca, Erie and Huron counties.
Huntley said the deal is still in the planning stages, so no more information is available.
While those projects have not been finalized, a Family Learning Center, which is to be built in Fremont, received approval on all loans and grants Tuesday afternoon, Huntley said.
The center will house Child Development services, the central offices and other services which the Hayes United Methodist Church of Fremont does not already hold, she said.
The ground-breaking will be in July. WSOS hopes to have it built by 2000.