Links and Resources

Oberlin Organizations

  • The Bridge - The Bridge is Oberlin’s community technology center and is a branch of the Oberlin Public Library. The Bridge has technology and computer skills programs and classes for adults and youth. The mission of The Bridge is:
    “To raise awareness about, and eventually to eliminate, the digital divide in Oberlin; To enhance access to computer skills and electronic information for all Oberlinians; To build a sense of community that transcends social differences among Oberlinians.”
  • City of Oberlin - Information about municipal programs and opportunities, including employment, housing, parks and recreation, public works, recycling, safety, and utilities.
  • Electronic Oberlin Group - The Electronic Oberlin Group is a voluntary organization that seeks to make available in electronic format a wide range of materials and resources about the town of Oberlin, Ohio, its diverse population, and its remarkable history. We believe that recent developments in information technology provide an opportunity to enhance mutual understanding among members of our community by promoting collaborative exploration and education.
  • Firelands Association for the Visual Arts - Located in the New Union Center for the Arts, 39 South Main Street the Firelands Association of the Visual Arts is an independent, non-profit art organization in Oberlin, Ohio dedicated to enhancing public appreciation of and participation in the visual arts through exhibitions and related educational and community activities. FAVA presents changing exhibits of high quality artwork in a variety of styles and media. FAVA also provides a variety of art classes, events and workshops for the community.
  • Kendal at Oberlin - Kendal at Oberlin is a retirement community “serving older adults in the Quaker tradition.” Kendal offers a range of retirement living options from independent living to assisted living and nursing care. A number of Kendal residents have been committed volunteers at Oberlin Community Services.
  • Oberlin City Schools - The Oberlin City Schools website has information about all of the public schools in Oberlin: lunch menus, curriculums, bus routes, summer reading, school calendars, and links to all of the school individual websites and the superintendent’s website.
  • Oberlin College - The Oberlin College website provides information about the college, its students, faculty and on campus events, concerts, lectures, and opportunities.
  • Oberlin College Bonner Center for Service and Learning - The Bonner Center for Service and Learning is an Oberlin College organization committed to provided opportunities for community service in and around Oberlin.
    “Our mission, in partnership with the surrounding community, is to encourage all students to become engaged citizens through curricular and co-curricular initiatives, which enrich the community and enhance students' education.
    Our vision is that Oberlin College students, members of the faculty and staff, and the greater Oberlin community understand the importance and benefits of a civically engaged community. A civically engaged community is one that recognizes and respects the cultures of others and acknowledges community service as a bold and innovative approach to learning.”
    The website has information about their programs, their partnerships with the community and their goals.
  • Oberlin Community Website - The Oberlin Community Website is run by a partnership between Oberlin Main St. and The Oberlin Area Chamber of Commerce. The website provides the dates of annual events in Oberlin, such as The Big Parade, The Juneteenth Celebration, The Chalk Walk and the Summer Music Series. The website also has links to The Chamber of Commerce and The Oberlin Main St. websites.
  • Oberlin Weekday Hot Meals - All are welcome for hot meals served Monday through Friday, from 5:15 to 5:45: singles, seniors and families. No proof of need required, no questions asked. Christ Episcopal Church Parish Hall (the red building behind the church), 162 South Main St., Oberlin. (440) 775-2501.

Lorain County Organizations

  • Lorain County Mental Health Board - The Lorain County Board of Mental Health website lists a wide variety of resources for families and individuals that are funded and monitored by the LCBMH to provide an array of mental health services, including counseling, peer support, community support programs, prevention, consultation, crisis intervention, housing development and management, and vocational employment support.
  • Lorain County MetroParks, Splash Zone- Since 2002, OCS has collaborated with the City of Oberlin and the Lorain County Metro Parks Splash Zone on the Summer Pool Pass Program for low income youth. OCS certifies children to receive free or reduced pool passes to Splash Zone for the summer. Splash Zone has both indoor and outdoor pools and waterslides, and the website provides the pools hours and special classes and programs for kids and adults.
  • Nord Family Foundation - “The Nord Family Foundation, in the tradition of its founders, Walter and Virginia Nord, endeavors to build community through support of projects that bring opportunity to the disadvantaged, strengthen the bond of families, and improve the quality of people’s lives. Grants are awarded in the fields of Health and Social Services, Education, Arts and Culture, and Civic Affairs.” The Nord Family Foundation website also provides an extensive list of Health and Social Services in Lorain County.
  • The NetWork -The Employment Network is a collection of agencies and organizations that have joined forces to deliver a seamless system of employment, training and community services to Lorain County residents. The website has a calendar of events for job training and employment opportunities and provides a forum for discussion.
  • Second Harvest Food Bank - Second Harvest Food Bank is Oberlin Community Services main provider for our food pantry. Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio works with many partner agencies to help those at risk for hunger in our community. The Mission of Second Harvest Food Bank is “to gather and provide resources to hunger-relief agencies serving individuals and families in Crawford, Erie, Huron and Lorain counties.” The Second Harvest website offers both “How to Help” resources and suggestions as well as “Hunger Resources.” There are listings of events, contact information and suggestions about how to get involved as a volunteer, an agency or an individual.
  • 211 - First Call For Help - United Way's 211/First Call For Help is a free and confidential information service ready to direct you to the health and human services you need in Cuyahoga County.

National Programs

  • America Counts - America Counts is a multifaceted Federal initiative to help students master the mathematical skills necessary for higher education and be prepared for college and promising careers. Oberlin Community Services’ Tutoring Coordinator Sydney Olsen hires Oberlin College students to be math tutors in the Oberlin Public Schools. The America Counts program is funded by the Federal Work Study Program.
  • America Reads - America Reads is a federal initiative to promote literacy and to ensure that every American child can read well and independently by the 3rd grade. America Reads has a partnership with Oberlin College that enables Oberlin College students to become literacy tutors in the Oberlin Public Schools an get paid through the Federal Work Study Program.
    “The America Reads Challenge is a grassroots national campaign that challenges every American to help all our children learn to read, including English Language Learners and students with disabilities. America Reads sparks collaborations between educators, parents, librarians, business people, senior citizens, college students, and community and religious groups.”