Boy Scouts of America, Simon Kenton Council
Boy Scouts of America, Simon Kenton Council instills values in young people to prepare them to make ethical choices over their lifetime and achieve their full potential. 

"Jon Dorph recently received his Eagle rank. This is the highest award a Scout can receive and only 2% of all Scouts nationwide make it to this milestone. Jon began his trail to Eagle as a Tiger Cub in Minnesota. Shortly after becoming a Star Scout, two ranks away from an Eagle, he moved with his family to Lewis Center, Ohio and joined Troop 843. For his Eagle Scout project, Jon approached the Center United Methodist Church. Previously, another Scout had done his project that involved building a bridge across a stream behind the church. Jon decided to expand on that project by building a 60 foot stone path toward an embankment, on top of which was a meditation area. Jon also used flagstones to build a staircase that led from his path to the meditation area. Jon led a troop of Scouts and leaders to implement this project. In addition to the countless hours that were put in by Jon's troop, Jon accounted for 250 hours himself. The Eagle Scout Project is the capstone to a young man's Scouting trail."

HelpLine of Delaware and Morrow Counties
HelpLine of Delaware and Morrow Counties provides 24-hour telephone crisis management services; offers information and referral services; presents prevention and training activities and mental health education.  

"In one of HelpLine's Stewards of Children presentations at a pre-school training for teachers and school staff, one building principal, who had been within education for over 25 years, stated "I'm ashamed to believe that all these years, as students came forth with struggles, I never once imagined – I just didn't want to believe – that the underlying issue could have been child sexual abuse. This is actually what needs to be on all school staff's minds as a possibility when students present with a wide range of problems." Stewards of Children is a remarkable training program in that it requires participants to acknowledge the pervasiveness of child abuse and commit to reacting responsibly to report it, and through community and policy work, to prevent it.." 

American Red Cross - Delaware County Chapter
The American Red Cross - Delaware County Chapter offers disaster services; assistance to military families; blood services; and safety services, including instruction in CPR, first aid and water safety training.

"When Deana Rosi came to the aid of an ill airline passenger, her Red Cross CPR/AED and first aid training immediately kicked in. The gentleman was waiting for a flight and became terribly ill. Rosi knew the key questions to ask, checked vital signs and directed a guard to make a 9-1-1 call. The passenger was stabilized and ultimately recovered. Deana, in turn, was deemed an "Angel" by the passenger."

Senior Services for Independent Living
Senior Services for Independent Living helps elderly residents to remain safely in their homes and community. Services include homemaker, personal care assistance, respite, transportation and outreach.

"Mr. V had to put his wife of 60+ years in a nursing home and now needed someone to assist him with his daily needs. SSIL was able to provide personal care and homemaking so that he could remain at home and be independent. His wife did recover and came home and we continued to provide services to the both of them until Mrs. V passed away. After Mrs. V passed away, Mr. V needed us even more. His care plan allowed us to go 2 times a week for 3 hours each time. On the days when we didn't go to his home, the office staff called him just to "check in" and make sure he was alright. Mr. V told us over and over that he feels like there are "angels watching over him" due to the attentiveness of SSIL staff."

Delaware Speech and Hearing Center
Delaware Speech and Hearing Center provides speech, language and hearing services by offering the highest quality assessment and treatment.

"When the baby boy was only a day old and still in the hospital, audiologists checked his hearing, using an infant hearing screening device. They discovered a profound hearing loss in both ears. In fact, the baby could hear no sounds at all. His parents were quite distraught to discover their son's condition. As a toddler, the boy underwent a four-hour surgery to receive a cochlear implant. A hole was drilled into his skull and a magnet and antenna were implanted. The boy received speech therapy two times a week for two years with his speech therapist at the Delaware Speech and Hearing Center. Through time, he learned to communicate with his parents about his needs, how to stop and listen to sounds, and how to dance when music played. His parents say they are not embarrassed of their son's cochlear implant. In fact, they call the magnet and antenna, the wire, processor and battery pack (which he wears in a backpack) his "special ear". Their son is now six years old and in a mainstream kindergarten. With the help and encouragement of the Delaware Speech and Hearing Center, the boy's parents know this is just the beginning of all their son will accomplish."

Concord Counseling Services
Concord Counseling Services provides professional mental health and recovery treatment, as well as prevention services to the community that are effective, accessible, affordable, and responsive to the ever-changing needs and challenges facing those they serve.

"For the past six months, an older gentleman who lives in Delaware County received transportation to a nursing home in Franklin County, where his wife is a resident. The gentleman is receiving hospice services himself. He is often weak and tired, and he would not have been able to keep that much needed face-to-face connection with his wife without the transportation and support provided by the Senior Support Program at Concord Counseling."

Community Action Organization
Programs and services that support self-sufficiency, including free earned income tax credit counseling and filing.

"One woman came to receive free tax preparation and after saving hundreds of dollars she immediately got on the phone at our site and called her family and friends to tell them about it.  She liked what we were doing so much she became a volunteer, helping set up appointments.  The earned income tax program gave her the opportunity to help others financially as well as receiving help herself."

Legal Aid
Emergency legal assistance to help clients become more self-sufficient.

"Staci called us for services after her husband had filed for divorce.  He was abusive towards her and the children had witnessed the violence.  Staci had been a stay at home mother for years, so she had very little work experience and had no job or income to fall back on, which put her at risk for losing her children.  The husband was asking for custody of the children, was trying to keep the marital residence, trying to get her to pay him child support and spousal support leaving her with nothing.  After seeking help from Legal Aid, the parties entered into a Shared Parenting Plan.  Staci was granted child support, her portion of equity out of the marital residence, funds to help cover day care expenses, and an adequate amount of the tax refund.  Without Legal Aid's assistance, Staci could have lost custody, been paying child support, and probably would not have received any sort of property settlement."

People In Need
Providing advocacy and emergency assistance to residents in the areas of food, utilities, housing, medical and dental.

"Jim was referred to PIN by the Council for Older Adults for assistance with a prescription.  Jim and his wife Sally are both enrolled in the Council's prescription assistance program, but Jim was prescribed a pain medication not covered under the program.  PIN was able to purchase the needed prescription and since this is a temporary condition the continuing prescriptions or "maintenance medications" are covered under the Council's program."

Council for Older Adults Food and Nutrition Services
Council for Older Adults Home-Delivered Meals delivers nourishing in-home meals to homebound/ill Delaware residents under the age of 60 at moderate cost, assuring them of friendly, daily interest.

"I really appreciate all of the helpers for providing this service to me. Before, I would not eat regularly and now I at least have a 'Hot' lunch. The volunteers are all so nice to me, and they always have something nice to say to make me laugh or smile. It makes my day to see them. I would be very lonely if it weren't for the kind people. Thank you all for everything from the bottom of my heart. God Bless and keep up the good work."

Salvation Army
The Salvation Army provides transitional housing for Delaware County residents who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless; assists families in securing and maintaining permanent housing.

"Sonya is a single mother with a severe mental health disability which makes it difficult for her to maintain employment. When Sonya could not pay her rent, she and her son were evicted from her apartment. They went to stay temporarily with a friend in their trailer but were quickly kicked out because her son scratched the friend's television. Sonya contacted HelpLine and they were quickly made a referral to the Salvation Army's Direct Housing Program. The case manager quickly assisted Sonya and her son with obtaining emergency hotel lodging and began assisting with housing search efforts. The program case manager located a landlord who was willing to rent to the family, advocated for a quick movie-in date and assisted with payment of the deposit and first month's rent. Sonya and her son have successfully maintained safe housing and have recently exited the Direct Housing Program."

Turning Point
Turning Point serves victims of domestic violence in six counties; provides emergency shelter, crisis hotline, victims' rights advocacy, peer support and community education.

"Even though most men are embarrassed to access our services, Turning Point has begun seeing an increase in men utilizing our programs. Jared and his young son came into the shelter after Jared's wife tried to shoot both him and his son. Jared was embarrassed at first but he knew that drastic changes in his life were necessary in order to protect his son and create a better life for both of them. Jared will tell you that his story is not any different than the women who came to Turning Point – a victim is a victim regardless of gender. Jared is now working, saving his money, and making plans to live independently free from violence. Jared never misses an opportunity to tell others how Turning Point saved his life."