There are days when Bev Jordan feels as if she is carrying the weight of the community on her shoulders. But she wouldn’t give up one worry if it meant someone in need wouldn’t get help.
Jordan is executive director of the Stark Social Workers Network, a multifaceted agency designed to address the community through education, training, and development plus direct and indirect services to improve the quality of life for families and individuals.
Stark Social Workers Network focuses on the needs of people identified as hard-to-service, at-risk, or lacking a safety net. Each program provided addresses the needs of a specific population.
“We serve the underserved population,” said Jordan. “When they come here, we start at the beginning.”
Sometimes, the beginning is just letting the client vent.
“People come in here with a lot more resources, skills and resiliency than they think they have. Once they realize their worth, they feel empowered to move forward,” Jordan said.
Lack of funding caused the Nurturing Hands Childcare Network Respite Program to slow, but Jordan hasn’t given up. She is looking for new funding and resources to get the program back up and running.
The goal of the program is to support the family by giving assistance and resources needed to maintain the family unit.
“With the help of several community individuals and organizations ... we don’t turn anyone away.”
WHO: Stark Social Workers Network, 1221 Harrisburg Rd. NE, Canton (330) 455-2260
WHAT: A small community-based social service agency.
BOARD MEMBERS: Delores McNeal, Margo Jackson, Dr. John Schuster, Rick Nicodemo, Rita Barrett, Gwen Singleterry, John Green, Dan Toussant.
PROCEEDS: Proceeds benefit school-based after-school programs, Students Understanding Nature program for Canton City Schools’ elementary students, mentoring for children ages10-17, respite for families with no income guidelines (restriction: Children cannot be in the custody of the Department of Job and Family Services), children at risk of abuse and neglect, community outreach activities (Blessing of the Babies, Holiday Help, Blanket Give-Away) and free baby clothes (St. Rosa and Nanncy Harriet’s Baby Closet).
DONATIONS: Send cash donations to PO Box 8223, Canton, OH 44711 or drop off donations directly at the agency. …
