President Amanda welcomed the group by calling the meeting to order at ~12:10pm. Our patriotic song was our America the Beautiful and our tech team of Bill was the “one and only.” Due to absence of key rotarians (i.e., David Dix), there was no second song this afternoon. President Amanda did lead us in the pledge of allegiance.
The Invocation for today’s meeting was offered by Ralph, with Nithya handling photos, and Brian as the newsletter author.
There were no visiting rotarians.
Student of The Month
Our Stanton Middle School Student of the Month was Kai Johnson. Kai has been a student within the Kent City Schools in all but two years - 4th and 5th grades, where he attended the BioMed Academy. He is a straight – A student and quite involved in extracurricular activities. With college aspirations, we look forward to reading about this talented young man in the future.
Visitors / Guests
None
Announcements
· Doug announced that the next Tap Talks will be Tuesday, May 12th, as attendees can look forward to hearing from one of the founders of the Farmers Market, as part of the “Kent History Matters Series.”
· Nithya shared some updates to the Flag program. Specifically, and in response to feedback, the following changes will be implemented:
- The program will ask for a two year commitment and,
- A “donation” option will be added .
- An email is forthcoming regarding next steps.
· President Amanda reminded members about the “Exchange the Banner” district event on Monday, June 29th at the Sleepy Hollow Golf Club in Brecksville, Oh. See Amanda for more details…
Happy Bucks
· Sue Whiting announced that she has now returned from her winter sojourn in Florida.
· Nelson applauded his return from a visit with his 100 year old mother who remains well.
· Tom Larkin extended well-wishes to our student of the month, Kai Johnson, as well as congratulations to Stanton Middle School principal, Kathy Scott, on her impending retirement after more than four decades of
service in public education. Well done Kathy!
· Sue Hettrick also extended congratulations to our Student for the month.
· Kathy Myers wished a happy birthday to Chris and Carol Martin; her husband Tom; and hope for the passage of the Kent City School levy.
· Will Underwood shared with the group that Betty Sweet, UMC Auxiliary, has turned 92.
· President Amanda helped celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of her in-laws. She also was pleased to share with the club that she attended her first “Mother / Son” dance.
Program
Needs of Older Adults in Portage County
KelliJo Jeffries, PhD, MSW, LSW
KelliJo Jeffries, Director of the Portage County Jobs and Family Services (PCJFS), has been charged with the task of managing and guiding the path of PCJFS for a number of years. With thirty-two years of experience in the industry, she oversees a $32mm budget across 177 servant leaders.
The organization itself is comprised of four divisions:
· Child and Adult Protective Services, which ensures that children and the elderly of Portage County are living in a safe, healthy and stable living environment.
· OhioMeansJobs Portage County, assisting local job seekers and employers with job search needs.
· Public Assistance, providing families of Portage County with assistance in applying and securing benefits such as: food assistance; cash assistance; Medicaid services for children and adults; transportation to medical appointments; child care assistance; and emergency assistance.
· Child Support Division, aiding in the healthy development of children across Portage County by assuring children receive the financial support from both parents.
These divisions represent the primary corpus of an organization that strives to be an effective support system designed to promote self-sufficiency. Against this backdrop, funding sources can be uneven, affected not by the “weather of the day,” but, rather, the “climate of the political environment.” Not surprising, much of the assistance provided to county residents are mandated at either the state or federal level, without any corresponding level of financial support that mirrors the need. This lack of reliability of funding sources is further exacerbated by an increase in demand across most divisions:
o 35% increase in Adult Protective Services.
o A steadily-increasing caseload of 200+ young adults per month needing help to transition from public welfare to gainful-employment situations.
o Public assistance in the form of cash or food-insecurity issues remain elevated.
All data is as 12/31/2025.
Despite these financial challenges, the instability of the fiscal landscape has helped mobilize community partners, however, in ways that alert local agencies and residents about assistance and how and where to access the same. This type of communal behavior is not sustainable, with more recognition and action needed at all levels of government.
The needs of Portage County residents are not unique, but do underscore the importance of remembering who we are and how a compassionate community benefits from helping those who are disadvantaged.
Fellow Rotarian and past president, Kathy Myers, delivered the club’s response.
Respectfully submitted,
Brian K Bialik