Member of the Week 7/6/2022 — OUTREACH Community Living Services
As they celebrate 45 years of service in Wayne and the surrounding area, we are delighted to feature OUTREACH Community Living Services as our Member of the Week!
A Long History Servicing Wayne and Surrounding Area
Since 1977, OUTREACH Community Living Services has been providing supported living services and non-medical transportation to developmentally disabled adults in Wayne and the surrounding counties. On Thursday July 7th, from 3-6pm, they will celebrate 45 years of providing services by inviting the community to gather for a picnic at Christmas Run Park.
Expanding Services in a Time of Need
The OUTREACH team, pictured from left to right: Amy Flessel, Residential Director, Billy Fralick, Residential Coordinator, Dawn Cannon, Chief Financial Officer, Tyler Claus, Front Desk Receptionist, Carolyn Hutto, Residential Coordinator, Brandy Barnard, Program Coordinator, and Katrina Jackson, Executive Director.
Katrina Jackson stepped into the role of Executive Director in 2019, just before the pandemic, which presented exceptional challenges for the organization. Katrina credits the staff at OUTREACH for banding together to come up with creative methods for continuing to provide services throughout the most challenging phases of the pandemic. In fact, OUTREACH expanded their services during this time, delivering groceries and doing wellness checks in a time when the world shut down. “It was an interesting time to become a new director, jumping in and figuring out what direction we were going to go. But we maintained. After 45 years, we’re still here.”
A Needs-Based Approach to Care
Right now, OUTREACH has four homes in Wayne County and is looking to expand into the surrounding counties. “We are optimistic about rebuilding, rebranding, and introducing ourselves to the community.”
OUTREACH not only provides living services to the community they serve, but they also work to advocate for their community, helping people understand that those with intellectual disabilities still lead rich, fulfilling lives—that they are people “just like you and me.”
“At OUTREACH, we focus on the person—their wants and their needs—and what it is we can do to assist them in that. Just knowing they are happy, safe, and healthy—that’s our goal.”
“Just knowing they are happy, safe, and healthy—that’s our goal.”
In addition to their four 24/7 homes in Wayne County, OUTREACH also provides services to individuals living independently within the surrounding community. Basing their services on the individual’s needs, OUTREACH works with the Wayne County Board of Developmental Disabilities to develop a plan to ensure each person’s needs are met. Sometimes this is as simple as providing an outlet for social interactions or as complex as hands-on assistance with cooking, paying bills, or making sure they have someone who can advocate for them when they’re receiving medical care.
OUTREACH has also opened up their activities to welcome anyone within the community who has a developmental disability or a mental health diagnosis.
In order to determine eligibility for OUTREACH’s services, individuals, 18 years and older can contact the Wayne County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
Community Partnership is at the Core of OUTREACH’s Foundation
OUTREACH is grateful to their group of volunteers who help, who includes the team at Heidi’s Pharmacy. As the year continues, Katrina’s focus will be on encouraging community partnership, as this was something the organization was built upon. Those interested in getting involved or providing a donation to the agency can contact OUTREACH at (330) 263-0862 or email Katrina at kjackson@oclswooster.org.
Looking Ahead to Future Growth
“The big thing we’re focusing on right now is introducing ourselves to the community. Despite being here since 1977, there are many people who still have no idea what we do or the services we provide, which includes providing services to individuals with intellectual disabilities. We are small, but we want people to know we are mighty.”
“We are small, but we want people to know we are mighty.”
We join our community in applauding OUTREACH Community Living Services for their dedication to providing services to the DD community within Wayne County and the surrounding areas. Congratulations on celebrating 45 years of providing services within our community!