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Oberlin Community Services

Meet the New Staff!

Alex Toutant

Alex Toutant will join OCS as an
AmeriCorps*VISTA Volunteer
Coordinator this summer, where
he will work to increase the volunteer programming and assist with the Ohio Benefit Bank program. He is pursuing a B.A. from Oberlin College, where he studies Politics and Comparative American Studies. Over the past two years, Alex has spent over 700 hours volunteering in nonprofit organizations that specifically seek to improve the lives of low- income and homeless populations in the United States. In his spare time, he enjoys reading and discussing politics.

 

Corey Patrick Harkins, also known as 'Cuy,' will graduate from Oberlin College in May 2012 with a passion for education and community service. Born and raised on an emu farm in the Sierra Nevadas, Cuy values hard work and collaboration. He is excited to work with OCS as the
AmeriCorps*VISTA Math Tutoring Coordinator. In this position, Cuy will be coordinating the America Counts program in Prospect Elementary School, as well as overseeing the training of Ohio Benefit Bank counselors.

The People's Garden is growing and needs your help!

Now in its second season, The People's Garden at OCS is in need of volunteers to ensure a successful growing season! Located along the Bike Path behind the OCS building, the garden has a total of 18 raised beds (2 ADA accessible) as well as areas around the front of the building which provide fresh, organic produce to the community at no cost. There are many ways to volunteer--sign up for a weekly/biweekly shift to weed and water, join us for our weekly garden work hours (Thursday 4-7pm), or stop by anytime to harvest a few veggies and weed the surrounding area.

For more info, contact Cortney at cguelker@oberlin.net or call (440) 774-6579.

NO experience necessary! ALL ages welcome! Come learn about gardening practices and food production while providing the community access to fresh produce. Stop in to check it out!

 

food basket

Expanded Food Pantry Hours

Our Choice Pantry is now open the 3rd and 4th Friday of every month until 7:00 pm.

As always, the Choice Pantry is also open Monday through Friday 9:00 am to noon and 1:00 to 5:00 pm.

Our large food distribution is held on the second Saturday of each month between 10:30 am and 1:00 pm.

Oberlin Community Services serves income-eligible residents of southern Lorain County to include the cities of Oberlin and Wellington and the following townships: Brighton, Camden, Carlisle, Huntington, Kipton, LaGrange, New Russia, Penfield, Pittsfield, and Rochester.

A picture ID and proof of address are requested.

 

Community Giving Campaign Is Under Way

The annual Oberlin Community Giving Campaign is under way. Employees of Oberlin College, Oberlin City Schools, and the City of Oberlin have an opportunity to pledge a monthly contribution via payroll deduction to OCS or another community organization. If you work for the College, the Oberlin City Schools, or the City, you can download the Community Giving pledge form and start that process going now.

Find out more about opportunities to support OCS

 

About OCS

Oberlin Community Services is a responsive community organization that provides direct assistance, referrals, outreach services and educational support to Oberlin, New Russia Township, and southern Lorain County residents who seek help meeting basic needs.

Since 1955, Oberlin Community Services (OCS) has supported the community in sensitive and caring ways. The OCS staff, Oberlin College work-study students, and more than a hundred volunteers join forces with schools, churches, medical and social service providers, civic groups, businesses, and government to offer a wide array of services to low-income citizens of Oberlin and Southern Lorain County.

unloading food

The need is greater than ever today.

OCS provides a safety net to help people get back on their feet. We assist with food, housing, utilities, clothes, transportation, medicine, counseling, and much more. This year the staff met with more than 100 clients each month, a quarter of whom had never needed assistance before.

As the economy worsens, more people are left behind.
* Nearly 20 percent of all Oberlin residents live in poverty.
* More than half of public school children in Oberlin qualify for free or reduced-cost lunches because their families are poor.
* Unemployment in Lorain County is now 10.9 percent, well above the national average of 9.3 percent.

These are our neighbors.

The poor and least powerful are often invisible in our community: older people who need help with food, utility bills or medicines, the newly unemployed, or those who need help with mortgages or rent payments.

You can help.

OCS relies entirely on donations and grants to meet its budget. Through your job, church, club, school, civic group, or on-line donation, you can help. Contributions are needed, and donations are tax deductible.