It is the heart and passion of Caring Communities of Summit County; (CC SC) to promote inter-generational interaction.  Caring Communities’ (CC) heart reaches out to grandparents, kinship care, and foster care parents who overlook their personal desires to raise heart broken children.  Some of these phenomenal guardians have already raised their children and to take on an extra responsibility is the perfect reason to salute and honor their commitment and dedication to the meaning of true love.

The passion of CCSC is to reach out to the community and seek out ways to enhance lives.  Caring Communities mission is to establish an educational economic empowerment that will serve the needs of the general public.  Through educational forums, inter-agency partnerships and client advocacy activities, specific services will be provided to strengthen families and strengthen communities.  The goal is to redirect paths to a brighter future. 

A generous three year grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is responsible for all the current programs.  Instead of waiting for a change, Caring Communities is striving to be that change.  “One person can not do it all, but all can help to do more,” says Vera Thomas, the Executive Director of CC SC.  

In order for the change to be effective, change must start at home.  With this theory in mind, CC SC decided to do just that.  What better way to honor and salute these spectacular guardians than to pamper them in luxury.  It was a time to be refreshed and rejuvenated; even made to feel appreciated and special.  CCSC’S Grandparent on the Rise retreat was held on May 26, 2009. 

This event was created to engage the mind, refresh the body, and uplift the spirits of our most deserving guests, on the most serene grounds of Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens historical site in Akron, OH.  The retreat was scheduled from 8a.m. to 8p.m., with three sessions: Morning, Afternoon, and concluded with a dinner celebration. 

The morning session began with a continental style buffet breakfast and panel discussion: Larry Schaffner and Bob Victory of Akron Public Library shared valuable information about Internet Predators; Lionel Millender, Akron Police Department, shared heart felt methods and programs to prevent juvenile delinquency; while Debra Calhoun discussed the wisdom and traditions of our grandparents and the impact it can have on our youth; Terri Leslie, Child Guidance and Families showed ways to encourage positive behaviors.  A question and answer period followed.  Just after lunch, parents explored the grounds and toured the facilities. 

The 2:00 hour has struck.  Anxiously waiting, the guardians began to gather outside of the Carriage House.  The doors opened and the ears of all the guardians were serenaded by a beautiful instrumental piece and those prepared to serve were patiently waiting to serve their wants and desires.  “Woos” and “Ah” filled the room as manicurists, beauty consultants, barbers, and massotherapists pampered our legacies.

As the parents were pampered in the afternoon, children were divided into specific groups.  Ages 7-12 competed to write the most number of positive “I Am’s”; inter-generational interaction was displayed in the mentoring of boys 6-12 with engagement of male volunteer for play; thirteen year old Ianna, conducted a workshop for girls ages 6-12; which culminated in a fashion show of vintage clothing from the roaring ‘20’s-‘30’s for the parents as they were pampered.

In the midst of story telling, Stan Hywet had twelve “TreeMendous” tree houses for the children to play on.  Each tree house was uniquely designed and with phenomenal creative minds, all of them were represented something different.  On an ordinary day around the house, guardians would cease to hear all unnecessary loudness or playful behavior.  But on this grand day, those things were overlooked.  The loudness and playful behavior on the musical tree house became a joy to our pampered guests’ ears.

“A Time for Celebration” was the theme for the evening session.  Mrs. Patricia Kennard served as the Mistress of Ceremony and started the night with humorous ice breakers to encourage and delight our guests.  VIP’s of Akron’s community joined our distinguished guests.  Awards, praise dancing, and recognition of VIP’s were on the agenda for the evening.  Chicken that melted in your mouth, salad with a strawberry based dressing, home made red russet mashed potatoes, and mouth watering green beans brought the event to a tasty conclusion.  These guardians may have been through the storms and rains of life; therefore, it was CCSC’s pleasure to relax and pamper them throughout the day. 

Throughout everything that these spectacular guardians have been through they still have the heart to reach out and help a life of a young person.  Take the time out to get involved in a child’s life that is less fortunate.  No child is a mistake.  There are children in your neighborhood, just seek.  You don’t have to be a biological parent of a child to direct their lives down a positive path, just have a heart.