Rising Up and Moving On Breakfast

On Thursday, April 27th, we hosted our annual Rising Up and Moving on breakfast for the first time since 2019. After a hiatus due to the pandemic, community members were excited to come out to Williams on the Lake and participate in this event. The breakfast serves to celebrate the achievements of those who have successful moved on from working with Medina County Job and Family Services; and to recognize those individuals and organizations who have helped the agency in some capacity.

The theme for this year's breakfast was "Caring for Our Children." Pastor Bruce Collier delivered the invocation before the buffet breakfast was served. Sharon Holmes, MCJFS supervisor manager, introduced MCJFS staff to present each of the Rising Up and Moving On awards. Among some of the award recipients were:

• Ryan, who will graduate this spring and is working a career in the trades.
• Kaitlyn and her parents, Chris and Christina. Kaitlyn was adopted just before her 18th birthday.
• Kinship family, Brittany & Nicholas, and Jianna
• Kellin and his mother, Stacey
• Chloe, who is getting her GED

In addition to the Rising Up and Moving on awards, community members received awards for their involvement with MCJFS:

• Pastor Bruce Collier and the First Baptist Church of Medina received the Louise Brown Community Service award for their continued support and assistance with the foster care program.
• Layne Hedden received the Helping Hands Award.
• Officer Dan Shonk with the Wadsworth Police Department received the Officer of the Year Award.

After the awards were presented, MCJFS Director Debbie Kiley gave closing remarks, speaking about her childhood and how she personally overcame adversity. She shared a song about strength and faith that has been meaningful to her – MercyMe’s Say I Won’t, then closed by reminding us that we are here to honor the youth and families and to celebrate triumph over adversity.