Connecting for Kids recognizes four local residents with awards – Morning Journal

Connecting for Kids has announced that it has named several individuals for its 2023 awards, according to a news release.

The recognitions are Parent, Educator and Professional of the Year and Kathleen Louise Nash Board Member awards.

These awards are given to those that exemplify the mission of Connecting for Kids to provide education and support to families concerned about their child, the release said.

Parent of the Year

Patricia Parker, of Olmsted Falls, is the 2023 Parent of the Year.

Parker has partnered with the Mother 2 Mother Community Inclusion Council, a group that provides education and support to minority families, to tackle issues of accessibility and inclusion for individuals with disabilities and their families within the community of Cleveland, the release said.

She worked with the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in adding additional accessibility features to its website and to allow a caregiver for a person with a disability to obtain free Zoo admission, which would include tickets or a caregiver membership pass.

Parker is the co-author of the book, “We Dare Be Brave,” which shares her story as an African American parent to an individual with a disability.

Parker is director of Resource, Education and Community Help Services and currently is in partnership with Hope Behavioral Health Services in the Bridging the Gap: Behavioral Healthcare Initiative, the release said.

Educator of the Year

Heather Lahoski, a resident of Sharon Center and Intervention Specialist at Keystone Middle School, is the Educator of the Year

As an intervention specialist, Lahoski always has been an advocate for students but her nomination indicates how she went above and beyond to help families during the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, the release said.

A parent wrote that Lahoski was her son’s teacher when the pandemic started and the family tried virtual learning then and it was a fail.

Lahoski ended up leaving boxes of books on family’s front porch along with other treats on numerous occasions so that the boy could continue learning in some manner and to help avoid meltdowns in our household as libraries were closed, the release said.

This year, Lahoski worked library field trips into her student’s day. Students walked to the library, checked out their own books and did book reports.

The nomination also indicates how she is teaching students life skills that will help them as adults.

Professional of the Year

Lisa Ruman of Westlake and president and founder of The Child and Family Counseling Center of Westlake, is Professional of the Year.

Ruman has logged countless volunteer hours with Connecting for Kids over the years as a program facilitator.

What makes Ruman an exceptional nominee for this year’s award is not only her ongoing dedication to Share and Support Group programs, but also her willingness to train the organization’s next generation of facilitators, according to the release.

In addition, she has contributed to the design of the “Explosive Child” Book Club and to resources on the Connect For Kids website.

Kathleen Louise Nash Board Member Award

Stephanie McNamara of Bay Village, guardian ad litem at Voices for Children over the past 12 months, has successfully recruited, interviewed and onboarded 11 new board members, the release said.

The Kathleen Louise Nash Board Member Award is named in honor of the founding president of Connecting for Kids and awarded annually to a board member who exemplifies outstanding leadership and dedication to the mission of the organization.

In addition, McNamara created a new orientation process for board members to ensure better integration into the organization.

During the pandemic, she actively took a leadership role, helping Connecting for Kids navigate the return to in-person programming safely.

Currently, McNamara is vice president of the Board of Directors and is a member of the strategic planning, programming, governance and bowling
committees.

According to her nomination, “Her level-headed advice helps the entire board communicate more effectively and ensures strong leadership as the organization continues to grow.”