Fostering Independence | Akron.com
BATH — A Bath woman grateful for her lot in life is working to help those who are not so lucky.
Cecilia O’Donnell, a mother of five, said she learned of a need to help youth emancipating from foster care by a friend who volunteers for RAHAB Ministries, located in Fairlawn.
“That put a spark in my head,” she said. “I remember that while I was in high school, a friend of mine was kicked out of her home in the middle of her senior year by her biological mother. I can’t imagine being only 18 and on your own.”
As a result, in February 2017 she started Fostering Independence Inc., a nonprofit volunteer organization that provides resources, mentoring and support to at-risk, emancipated youth transitioning from foster care and to those that lack parental support who are pursuing life goals through higher education or job skills training. O’Donnell said SCORE officials helped her get a 501(c)(3) designation for the organization and she now serves as its executive director.
“There is a huge need in Summit County for kids aging out of foster care,” said O’Donnell. “Summit County Children Services has done a great job, but they need help to help these kids.”
O’Donnell said in Summit County, 29 foster children aged out in July and about five more aged out since then. She added shortly after the organization was formed, she quickly expanded its scope to include those a little younger than age 18 and young adults who do not have parental support.
“There are also 250 homeless students who lack parental support for various reasons in Akron Public Schools as identified through Project RISE,” said O’Donnell. “They live in homeless shelters or are couch surfing. These kids are so vulnerable to the piranhas out there and especially to sex trafficking.”
O’Donnell stated the students need material things in addition to mentoring that will help them get through their senior year at high school.
According to O’Donnell, the organization helps these students by offering household and kitchen items, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, new bedding and towels and more. This year, the organization received a grant from WITAN to help fulfill the needs of various requests. It also helped 13 high school graduates by giving them college supplies.
O’Donnell added she works with Maria Paparella, of Chair-ity, which supplies beds and other furniture items to the students, as well as caseworkers at Summit County Children Services, the court system and Project RISE, to identify those in need.
“I really love kids and I love teenagers — they have such great ideas and they are so optimistic,” said O’Donnell. “I am too fortunate and too blessed not to reach out and help these kids. They are perfectly capable of taking care of themselves — they just need opportunities through mentorship.”
O’Donnell said she would like to add mentoring to the organization’s services and reach students at a younger age and is in need of volunteers to accomplish this goal.
The organization accepts new or very gently used household items such as dishes, flatware, cups, glasses, pots and pans, cooking utensils, toasters, microwave ovens, kitchen towels, cleaning supplies, bedding, bath towels, first aid kits, flashlights, dorm supplies and more. The items can be dropped off at Today’s Bride, located at 1930 N. Cleveland-Massillon Road.
A wish list of needed items can be found at www.fosteringindependence.net or the organization’s Facebook page.
Area residents, schools, churches and youth groups can also host a collection drive or organize fundraisers to support the purchase of items from the wish list, she said. O’Donnell stated Dr. Thomas Semans, a dentist located at 2660 W. Market St., Suite 200, held a collection drive in May for the organization, raised over $1,650 and accepted a number of items. The business has offered to do this annually, she added.
In addition, the organization’s Sept. 28 Ante Up for the Kids Casino Night fundraiser drew over 60 supporters and surpassed its fundraising goal of $8,000 to collect $12,700.
“We are overwhelmed by the support that we received to provide supplies for the young adults’ apartments and dorm needs,” said O’Donnell.
The organization is also seeking volunteers to make deliveries, mentor youth and assist with bookkeeping. Also needed is someone to serve on the organization’s board. To volunteer, email fosteringindependencevolunteer@gmail.com.