I once heard a proverb that says, “You are either green and growing or ripe and rotten”. I have seen 7 through 40 year olds that are ripe and rotten. We will showcase senior citizens in their 70’s and 80’s that aZre green and growing and who share what gives them their zest for living; what keeps them healthy, happy, and excited about life. Clearly, it is not about age; it is about attitude. Our health and the quality of our existence are determined by our state of mind. In fact, studies show that older people tend to be the happiest. Yet there are so many among us who are “sick and tired” or “tired of being sick”.

While many diseases can be contributed to heredity, medical reports and various studies identify illness such as diabetes and high blood pressure as preventable illnesses and can be determined by our diets and our attitudes.

During spring break, April 7th through 11th, Grandparents on the Rise (GPOR) gathered for a daily luncheon and to engage presenters who discussed a variety of topics including Medicare, juvenile diabetes and high blood pressure, free programs for senior citizens, and taking a holistic approach to healthcare.

Also during the spring break, CCSC computer lab was the site for a five day camp for Crouse 4th and 5th graders sponsored by Tech Camp of Cleveland .

The basic computer class, Intro to Word and Excel will provide grandparents who do not own a computer with a refurbished computer once they have successfully completed the class and the designated volunteer service hours.

CCSC nominated volunteers who have devoted time and commitment to the organization. We will feature two that are green and growing and represent our youth and our seniors who have been honored for their efforts.

CCSC, Grandparents On the Rise, for the past three years has been supported by a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. The grant will climax with a retreat. We will provide an opportunity for a total of 50 grandparent/s, kinship guardians or foster parent/s a time for sharing, receiving tools to enhance their family environment, and a time to be pampered on Thursday, May 29th. A drawing for participants who do not own a computer in their home will provide a chance for three families to receive a refurbished computer. Priority for retreat participation will be given to those living in the Buchtel cluster. Others will be accepted as space is available.

CCSC is participating in the Bridgestone Invitational Birdies for Charity. You could receive the grand prize of $5000, a 42” Flat Screen TV, Bridgestone golf clubs and bag, or a set of 4 Bridgestone tires. Pledges can be as little as a penny. Caring Communities will receive 100% of all proceeds from pledges we receive. This effort will provide opportunity for continued operations and programs for our community.

We encourage you to please help support Caring Communities of Summit County. Our services and programs have helped many since 1994 and may not continue without your help. Help keep us green and growing.

God bless you to bless us to bless others.

Mrs. Juanita Shepherd celebrated her 85th birthday April 4, 2008 and is still driving. In an interview with her she shared the following:

At my age, I did not know how to work on the computer, I thought if I learned the computer, instead of writing letters I can send emails and send them more often then writing letters. I have ten children. I can get an immediate response and communicate with them more often.

I like GPOR because it gives me something to do to get away from home and be involved with other people. Since I am not working any more I do things to keep my mind and keep me motivated to do and stay active. I have always been involved in community work, PTA, worked with the FAST program, and volunteer for nine years for a funeral home as a nurse.

I started raising my grandson when he was fourteen. He was beginning to get into trouble. I figured if I could raise ten successful children who never were in jail or prison; I could raise my grandson. He is now a conductor for the railroad. I am supportive of all of my grand and great grandchildren. If you want to stay young in mind and active you have got to do something. You have got to get off the couch and stop watching television.

I cook for myself and others including Caring Communities of Summit County. If you want to stay alive, you cannot worry about things. You have to leave it alone. Things always work out. You won’t have heart trouble.

Don’t sit around moaning and groaning; do things. I quilt, cook, wash, iron, drive, never get bored because I just don’t have time. I fly by myself. I have been to Hawaii and London. As long as it takes in the Cleveland Hopkins airport, I would rather walk than use a wheel chair. Walking is good and a great form of exercise!

Pastor Norris got me interested in coming to class. It is a good program for me. I am always willing to learn. I tell people all the time, stay active! You have got to stay active. Especially we as Black people; you know, we tend to not live very long. I say it is because with inactivity it’s like a rusty gate, if you don’t open the gate it gets rusty, it is the same with us. If we are not active we deteriorate, period. Knowing it takes fewer muscles to smile than to frown, I smile as often as I can.

I am a veteran; served in the Air Force during the Korean War. I still love to travel, you say “go”, I say “when”. I belong to the VFW, American Legion and AmVet. I am a life member in all and still participate. I am a past Commander of all three and a pass Summit County Commander and District Commander for American Legion.

I have raised grands, great and great great grands. I still drive and whenever they have to go someplace they call “Papa”. To stay up with the world you have got to stay active. I don’t let things stump me. I golf, bowl, swim, exercise and I can run a little bit sometimes.

I have been retired since ‘77 from US Post Office as a letter carrier.

Just had a physical; my weight 177.7, blood pressure 120/60 (without medicine), pulse 68, temp 97.7 and no health problems. Get my eyes checked every six months. I only need glasses to read.

I contribute my well being to something my grandmother way back told me. She said, “I don’t care how bad we think a person is, there is good in everyone. Sometimes we just have to seek it out. I don’t intentionally mistreat anyone. Everyone is human. Every living thing has some good. “No one agency can do it all; however, together we all can do more” Preparation for construction have begun. On June 4th groundbreaking ceremony took place at Crouse Elementary School. Caring Communities will continue to have offices in the new facility. We are looking forward to continued service to families in the community and beyond.

The night of October 24th at Tangiers was truly a night for celebration. Mr. James Toles, CCSC board member and volunteer extraordinaire was recognized by Project Grad Akron as one of two worthy Volunteers of the Year. May 1st will be another celebration, when Mr. Toles will be recognized and honored at the United Way of Summit County’s 7th Annual Volunteer Celebration.

There are many reasons for Caring Communities of Summit County to celebrate their nominee, Board Member, James Toles, for his relentless and diverse volunteer commitment. James Toles, fondly known as Jim wears many hats. In addition to serving on the Board of Trustee for Caring Communities, he participates in Keep Akron Beautiful by maintaining two community flower gardens, volunteers at Rankin and Caring Communities Computer Labs; is active with Grandparents on the Rise Support Group. He provides transportation to other seniors for doctor visits and errands. He babysits and has been a mentor to two Crouse students. He has extended himself to them through middle school. He provides school supplies and makes himself available to them at anytime to encourage and help keep them in school and doing well. He also serves on the 2010 Quality Life Community Committee. He is President of the Buckeye State Credit Union.

Mr. Toles is really a jewel in our community and Caring Communities wants everyone to know just how special he is to us. As a volunteer extraordinaire, on any given day you can find him helping someone. Here is a young man in his 70’s who has pep in his step and pride in his stride which is one of the keys to his happy and productive life. He moves faster then many of the youth we see today and says a positive attitude and staying busy is what keeps him in shape mentally and physically.

CCSC has been fortunate to have youth volunteers in our office. While we have had several youth volunteers who have helped us tremendously; on April 23rd, three of them were honored or recognized at the City of Akron 2008 Youth Volunteers Award ceremony. All three were diligent in their efforts to help make our first grandparents retreat and the summer camp a success.

Jasmine Wyatt received an Outstanding Volunteer, the Summit County High Point and National & Global Youth Service Day Awards. She also received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition. She has skills and abilities far beyond her fourteen years of life. She typed, answered and made phone calls, and worked at the retreat to make it a memorable event for grandparents. She learned aspects of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and became more proficient in typing letters, creating forms, signs, and flyers. She is a resourceful young lady with computer skills that will be beneficial to her throughout her life.

The twins, Savannah and Savaunah Bates were also recognized for their service. They answered phones, made phone calls and assisted with typing mailing lists and other forms. All three volunteers brought skills to the table, learn new ones and continue to be a great asset to CCSC.

Brenda Allen from Care Source Advantage shared information about Medicare and changes in the Senior Plan. Maryann McGluckin, Akron Health Dept. expressed the urgency to address the growing problems of juvenile diabetes and high blood pressure. She provided statistical information and some approaches for grandparents living with this issue.

Myron Lewis, employed by the Akron Health Department and housed at the Summit County Juvenile Detention Center shared invaluable information about juvenile incarceration and delinquency. He provided the participants with tools to identify and address juvenile delinquency.

Dr. Jeremiah Freedman, discussed a holistic approach for some medical conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure and other physical conditions that may be treated with chiropractic adjustments. He shared information that was highlighted on Good Morning America based on a study that indicated a decrease in high blood pressure and the elimination of medication through chiropractic care. Dr. Jeremiah is one of a few chiropractors in the nation qualified in the technique.

GPOR programs and luncheons are sponsored by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

During spring break Crouse Elementary 4th and 5th graders participated in an interactive technology learning camp sponsored by Camp Tech from Cleveland.

Student experiences included digital photography, filmmaking, game design and they learned how to create a digital family tree.

It was a wonderful week filled with exciting learning and exploration of many technical possibilities.

Students chose one of their classmates for a computer. The criterion was based on not having a computer in their home, behavior and attitude. Christian Ruffin a fifth grader received the most votes.

“ I learned how to do some things on a computer that I did not know. This computer will be helpful with school work and playing my video games,” said Christian.

With changes in the foster care system, data indicates the number of cases of grandparents and kinship caregivers is growing daily. Grandparents on the Rise is extending an effort to reach all grandparents in the Buchtel cluster.  Mrs. Reva Henderson will assist in sharing GPOR efforts with Schumacher grandparents and kinship guardians. The meeting date will be announce in May. Mrs. Henderson is a former Schumacher grandparent raising granddaughter Lyric who now attends Simon Perkins Middle School.

For the past year CCSC has provided basic computer classes for grandparents and kinship caregivers. Participants learn basic computer operations. The class has been so successful we have partnered with Rankin to meet the needs of those who registered with us after the class began. Mrs., Beverly Woolridge developed and teaches both Basic Computer and Basic Excel and is employed by Akron Public Schools.

Joel Mellor, a student at the University of Akron is completing his internship at CCSC. He developed and taught Microsoft basic Word. The first class was such a success; a second class began in April.

Participants are eligible for a refurbished computer if they do not own one in their home, have successfully completed the class and volunteer service hours.

Crouse Elementary Gospel Choir has been the entertainment for the monthly Grandparents On the Rise Luncheon since the beginning of December. The 32 member choir meets every Wednesday and Thursday morning at 7:30 am for rehearsal before school. The choir is comprised of kindergarten thru 5th grade students who anxiously get excited when they have to perform.

The Grandparents luncheon is a good place for the group to get exposure as well as accustom to performing before an audience.

Director’s Rhonda Ferguson, the school’s secretary and Glorya Porter, CCSC Activities Specialist. “We have a good group of children that join us on those early mornings, even when it is cold and snowy “said Ms Porter.

It has been a delight to the grandparents attending the monthly meetings. Mrs. Ferguson works really hard with making sure the children are involved in community events. They sang at Buchtel PTA annual “Taste of Culture” in February, Simone Perkins Family Fun Night in November and constantly are asking “when are we going to sing again.”

They were a very inspirational group at the Crouse 1st Black History program.

The proud principal is none other than Mrs. Angela Harper Brooks, who is always encouraging the children and wears a big smile.