Lorain County JVS

Lorain County JVS Staff Participate in Day of Service

On Monday, Aug. 18, Lorain County JVS staff stepped out of their classrooms and offices and into the community for a Day of Service, volunteering across the county with local nonprofits in Lorain County.

The effort, designed to give back to the community partners that support students and their families, connected LCJVS staff with agencies that provide essential resources, care, and opportunities in Lorain County. The event reflects a growing commitment to corporate responsibility and community-service projects in Lorain County and highlights the impact of volunteer work in Northeast Ohio.

“LCJVS has always been about more than preparing students for careers,” said Megan Champagne, Associate Principal. “We are part of this community, and this day was an opportunity to support the organizations that lift up our families every day.” “We are giving back to nonprofits that give so much to our students and their families.”

Cynthia Andrews, President, Community Foundation of Lorain County, added:
 “Lorain County JVS continues to set an example of what it means to give back. When educators and staff step into the community to support local nonprofits, it strengthens the fabric of our county. Their Day of Service not only advances the missions of these organizations but also models for students what active citizenship and community leadership look like.”

 

Supporting Local Nonprofits Across Lorain County

Staff teams spread out across the county to serve at multiple locations, completing hands-on projects and assisting with community needs:

• Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio – Sorted and packed food for distribution.
• Good Knights of Lorain County – Built and assembled beds for children.
• Common Ground The Cindy Nord Center for Renewal – Replaced and rebuilt landscaped steps from the parking area to the office and meeting space.
• Lorain County Safe Harbor – Completed outdoor landscaping work with flower and vegetable beds, and indoor carpet and ceiling tile removal.
• Life: A Dementia Friendly Foundation – Spent time one-on-one with individuals with dementia, engaging in crafts, snacks, activities, and conversation.
• Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio, Camp Timberlane – Assisted with trail and challenge course cleanup.
• North Ridgeville Community Care – Refreshed flower beds and organized the stock room.
• LCJVS Caring Closet – Organized the on-campus caring closet to better serve students in need.
• Gathering Hope House – Helped reorganize the Hope Closet to better serve community members.

 

Partnering for Impact

Community partners underscored how the work moved missions forward:

Jenny Rivera, Director of Volunteer Relations, Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio: “Thank you so much to the LCJVS Staff for inspecting and sorting thousands of pounds of shelf-stable food donations. This food will be packed and delivered to our partners for their pantry or other program.”

Roger Dorsey, Founder and President, Good Knights of Lorain County: “The LCJVS team jumped right in — sanding, staining, drilling, and completing quality checks to help prepare beds that will soon provide kids with a safe, comfortable place to sleep. They did a great job!”

Ken Fraelich, Executive Director, Common Ground: “These steps were put in over twenty years ago, and we started to realize about five years ago that the timbers were starting to show their age and rot out. The LCJVS staff did a phenomenal job. I honestly didn’t expect this many people, and they got to work immediately. The work they have done today is impressive, appreciated, and wouldn’t be getting done otherwise… thank you!”

From sorting food and organizing clothing, to building beds and brightening up community spaces, the LCJVS staff’s work helped advance the missions of local nonprofits in Lorain County. These community-service projects also showed how schools supporting local nonprofits can make a direct difference in people’s lives.

Connecting Service and Education

The Day of Service reflects LCJVS’s commitment to community partnership and real-world learning—modeling teamwork, responsibility, and care for the county the district serves.

Annie Carstarphen Cheeseboro, LCJVS Board Member and Executive Assistant to Mayor Kevin Brubaker, shared: “When LCJVS staff dedicate their time to supporting local nonprofits, they’re modeling the same skills—teamwork, responsibility, and compassion—that we want our students to carry into their careers and into their lives as engaged citizens. It’s a powerful reminder that education is about preparing students not only for the workforce, but also for the role they will play in strengthening our community.”

LCJVS Superintendent Dr. Glenn Faircloth reflected on the day’s impact: “Service is at the heart of what we do as educators. By supporting these nonprofits, our staff shows students that community engagement and leadership go hand in hand.” “The district is a critical puzzle piece to Lorain County’s rich assets—we want to model corporate responsibility to inspire, connect, and champion this type of work—for other institutions in the county.”

The district hopes to continue the tradition of service in future years, strengthening ties with the organizations that support Lorain County families and expanding volunteer opportunities in Lorain County.