Embracing Diversity
For nine months, the Buford Center for Diversity and Service, with assistance from UF's Center for Civic Engagement, paired 10 UF students with staff from seven local nonprofit agencies to develop mutually-beneficial, sustainable initiatives. The “Pursuing Cultural Humility" projects, funded with a grant from The Community Foundation's Madeleine Thomas Schneider Fund, sought to broaden horizons and encourage innovation. One project that resulted from this endeavor included “Cheap Eats," which involved Café at Millstream students preparing six dishes, some of them from India and Bangladesh, to raise public awareness of low income-induced college student hunger. Other projects served dual purposes: they furthered UF's diversity outreach efforts and served residents' interest, expressed in a 2017 “Community Conversations" Foundation report, in developing a more diverse, accepting, and inclusive community.
Art at the Zoo
Select original artwork owned by the Mazza Museum is now being exhibited in the Toledo Zoo's new Mazza Gallery, a comfortable and inspiring space for visitors of all ages housed on the second floor of the recently-opened ProMedica Museum of Natural History. Rotating art with corresponding books, along with tables for people to create their own visual stories, are there, along with comfy seating for reading, artist and author visits, and other interesting activities. The renovated building, a Depression-era Works Progress Administration structure, opened this past summer to rave reviews. “As a member of the community, the Toledo Zoo is often approached to work on collaborations," said Jeff Sailor, Toledo Zoo and Aquarium President and CEO. “Oftentimes they're not to the right scale, but this was absolutely perfect because we have the ability to provide exposure to our million guests a year to the Mazza Museum."
Career Exploration
In May, a daylong camp was hosted on campus for Lima City Schools' Closing The Achievement Gap (CTAG) program, which pairs underserved students with community members who mentor, motivate, and help create pathways to success. Nearly 30 eighth graders learned about careers they can pursue through UF's College of Pharmacy, College of Health Professions programs, and the University as a whole. The camp is just part of offerings and residential camps to be offered during the next three years. Funding is provided by a corporate gift from Nutrien in Lima.
Alzheimers Art with AMA
Three acrylic paintings titled “The Journey Through," which depict the impact of occupational therapy on a patient and family facing Alzheimer's disease, are now displayed in the University's on-campus occupational therapy adaptive living home. The collection was created by Sandy Errett of Findlay, who was diagnosed with the disorder in 2014, alongside her husband John and adult daughters Jodie DiRe and Julie McGlade. The project was made possible through a collaboration with Awakening Minds Art and Lindsey Buddelmeyer, an assistant professor in UF's occupational therapy program who has assisted the Errett family for years.
Combating Addiction
“Trauma & Addiction: Mindful Pathways to Recovery" was a daylong May conference organized by UF's Social Work Program and the Hancock County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board, with support from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. The keynote speaker was Jamie Marich, Ph.D., a clinician and author of five influential books, including “EMDR Made Simple," and “Trauma and the Twelve Steps." Six breakout sessions were offered on topics ranging from human trafficking to the neuro impact of trauma. Cara Davies, Ph.D., associate professor of neuroscience, anatomy and physiology at UF, moderated a lunch discussion about vicarious trauma, which affects people who are caretakers of someone who is experiencing trauma.
It's Debatable
The University's broadcast studio in Egner Center for the Performing Arts has for years accommodated local political debates that inform the public about vital candidate stances on community issues. The debates are organized by Findlay Publishing Company and are typically moderated by editors from The Courier and WFIN/WKXA radio. Debates are broadcast live on UFTV and on WFIN (1330 AM). In April, Republican candidates vying to win the mayoral primary election went head to head on subjects such as property use, taxes, and flood control.
A Collective Effort
In partnership with the Hancock County Alcohol, Drug Addition, and Mental Health Services Board and Findlay Police Department, UF's College of Pharmacy has hosted county medication collection days. With the understanding that proper medication disposal is crucial for the environment and to combat drug addiction, these collection days enable people to drop off old and unused medications at strategically located and easily accessible sites.