Gerri Larson and Taryn Stiltner
This week’s speaker was Gerri Larson, a Family Service Specialist with Northwest Ohio Community Action Commission (NOCAC) presented by Kiwanis member Taryn Stiltner. NOCAC is part of The Community Action Partnership which is made up of more than 1,100 local, private, non-profit and public agencies that have been working to alleviate poverty and empower low-income families in communities throughout the United States since 1964.
NOCAC was established in 1965 as a private, non-profit social service agency and has been actively serving the citizens of Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Paulding, Van Wert, and Williams counties for over 50 years. Gerri spoke about a new initiative called Project Community Connection. The program allows volunteers to come and have a meal or snack with the children at Paulding Headstart. Larson has had remarkable success with the project. The volunteers and children alike have a blast and can learn so much from each other.
The program was created to help build connections and positive interactions for the children. If you are interested in volunteering you can contact Gerri at 419-399-5617. As always Kiwanis members will meet over lunch at noon on Thursday.
