On today's episode of Keeping Ashland Healthy, Sunny McCarty and Ashley Williams discuss the Ashland Church Community Emergency Shelter Services (ACCESS) program with David. The ACCESS program is unique in the county and continues to grow, impacting more lives by reducing homelessness, teaching skills, and ensuring people are seen and heard. Learn more by visiting their website at www.ashlandaccess.com or by calling 419-903-0099.
(Record Date: July 24, 2025)
(Record Date: July 24, 2025)
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:03):
Welcome.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
You're listening to the Keeping Ashland Healthy podcast, a podcast
production of the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Ashland County, Ohio.
Thanks for joining us, and welcome back to another episode
of the Keeping Ashland Healthy podcasts in the studio. Very
excited to interview these two special ladies. We've got Sonny
McCarney and Ashley Williams. Welcome ladies.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
Hi.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
They are leading our Ashlan Insurance Community Emergency Shelter Services program.
Nobody calls it that because it's too long, right, we
just call it ACCESS. So that's the Ashland Church Community
Emergency Shelter Services or ACCESS program. And I am your host,
David ro Us here at the Mental Health and Recovery Board.
But ACCESS program is impacting lives every day in this community.
Speaker 1 (00:50):
Not everybody knows about it.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
So I was excited to get you both on the
program so you can tell more and more folks. I
know you have several events where you're the community letting
people know about what you're doing. I just wanted to
do that on the podcast because we can continue to
make this available to folks and hopefully they will learn
more and they will partner with you. Because I know
you have some exciting fundraisers throughout the year too, and
(01:14):
the more people know I think about the good work
you're doing Sunday and Ashley, the better. So I just
want to walk the audience through several things that are
going on both now and maybe in the future, and
just we'll have fun. Right I've told Sonny if you
don't know Sonny and Ashley, they're both very, very fun.
If anything, we're going to have to tamp it down
(01:36):
because they're going to be over the top fun. So
my first question I always like to ask guests kind
of you know they're passionate, and I know you're both
passionate about this, and maybe I'll start with you, Sunny,
where when did you first realize because you're like mining
your own business making you know, peanut butter and jelly
at home. What happened at some point you said I
(01:58):
want to do this access thing to help people that
are struggling with homelessness. When when did all this happen
for you?
Speaker 3 (02:05):
So really, going from making peanut burr and jelly at home,
I've always had a desire to help people, so I
kind of did like help my friends when I was
to stay at home mom, They'd call and I just like, oh,
I have this resource. So it was already kind of
interlocking people with all of the resources and things that
I had because I've always had a really strong desire
(02:27):
for helping and I experienced some poverty myself, and so
I went to North Central State College and started their
human services program and then did my internship at Safe Haven.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
And Domestic Violeent Shelter.
Speaker 3 (02:45):
Kind of got a really a feel of kind of
what it looks like in the community poverty itself, do
Mystic violence just to look at what we experience here.
And at that point, I really honestly didn't know we
had a whole lot of homeless, But then got a
call from Kathy, did an interview with her.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
Kathy Temans previous Access Yeah.
Speaker 3 (03:04):
And we had just kind of hit it off, you know,
She's like, I think you would be a great addition
to the team. And once I started to work with
the people that we were serving, it was incredible. It
was like, this is where I'm meant to be. That's awesome,
Like there was you learned so much from them, and
then you were able to just support and give them resources.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
You know, at the time I don't know if I've
told you this story, but at the time, Kathy was
writing space here at the board and you started to
come in a few times, and I had I was
just walking by and just heard you guys talking, and
I remember coming back up and.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
Said to Kathy, who is that girl? You know? And
she started to tell me a little bit about you.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
I was like, I could tell, even just passing in
the hallway listen to you talk with her about how
passionate you were. And Kathy knew too. She said, She's like, yeah,
she's she's really good. She's she's somebody I'm hoping we'll
maybe take this on. So I think she even knew
from early on your potential, Sonny. So from the beginning, yes,
(04:10):
from the very beginning. Yeah, well, thank you for that.
And so Ashley, maybe maybe the same question, you know,
what maybe what attracted you or what what made you
passionate about working at ACCESS.
Speaker 4 (04:24):
I really owe all of it to Sonny. She had
tried a few years ago to see if I would
join Access in the team, and you know, at the time,
I wasn't ready. I was healing from some things that
I was going through, things that I have experienced.
Speaker 5 (04:43):
And then last year she approached me again and she
did not quit.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
She persistently well.
Speaker 4 (04:52):
She is, and so I said, you know, we talked
and we prayed together about it, and I took that
leap and it was so amazing to walk in to
see how Sonny has taken it from what Kathy was
doing and grown it. And then to be with the
(05:14):
people and knowing, you know, they need someone in their corner,
they need someone fighting in the corner for them too.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
And if the audience doesn't know this, I've had a chance,
luckily to be with Sonny and Ashley at some events
and just to be around them and meetings. But I
think both of you you touched on your stories. I
think the people that are coming through Access recognize more
of somebody that's been there, done that. They recognize more
of that peer element rather some of these homeless programs
(05:44):
that the folks that are operating they've not experienced anything
close to it, And I think that comes out to
the guests if there's that disconnect. But if we're closer
to the issues that were helping people, they get that too,
And I think you're more effective that way.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
I don't know how you feel but.
Speaker 4 (05:59):
I think yeah, absolutely, oh yeah, making yourself more relatable.
You know, we all say that we understand and we care,
but having life experiences that are similar with you in
a different mindset of how they're feeling and how they're
trying to overcome these barriers.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
Sure, and ashlely, if you might, I know it's changed
over time, so to the extent that you know more
more recently about you know, just for the audience, how
many folks maybe that you guys see in the course
of a year, either in calls or actually assisting folks
that maybe that'll help folks get a better understanding of
the scope of the program.
Speaker 4 (06:40):
So in twenty twenty four, we served seventy five individuals.
Of those seventy five, fifty percent of them were children.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
Wow.
Speaker 4 (06:50):
Right now, looking at our call of need for the
current year, it is at two.
Speaker 5 (06:56):
Hundred and thirty four.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
Okay.
Speaker 4 (06:59):
Of that number, one hundred and seventy six of those
individuals are Ashland County residents.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
Is that something that is required? You can only see people, Okay,
So that's important.
Speaker 4 (07:11):
You have to have a ninety day residency in Ashland County.
There are some other requirements that we take into consideration.
Breaking it down a little further when you get into
that one seventy six, one hundred and fifty six of
those individuals are eligible for our program. Okay, so we
have a good wait list going.
Speaker 1 (07:32):
And okay, so there is a bit of a way.
Speaker 4 (07:34):
Right and in the meantime, we really do try to
connect with resources and make sure that we're addressing food
and security and other needs.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Well, that's one thing too. I've noticed it, and I
had said earlier about getting to know you a little bit.
I see you both, either one of you or both
of you, whether it's a meeting over zoom or an
in person meeting. I've noticed you've been intentional about trying
to make those connections, and in your roles at Access
you just said it, Actually that's critical to know the
resources because it's not Access isn't going to solve all
(08:04):
the resources. So you need to know how to partner
where to direct them so that they can get the
additional needs, whether it's food, clothing, shelter, you name it.
Speaker 4 (08:12):
So absolutely, sometimes the calls are not just for I
need shelter, it's what can what information can you give me?
I know someone who's struggling and and I don't know
where to send them.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
Yeah, yeah, well I actually you saied some of the numbers.
But maybe for the audience. I know some people really
respond better to actual people, like like a success story
or somebody that maybe that it's been in the pro
Can you share any of maybe that without I can.
Speaker 4 (08:42):
It's one story in particular, I was able to touch
on with our annual dinner, and.
Speaker 1 (08:49):
I was able to come to that that was a
really good thing.
Speaker 5 (08:51):
It was good food.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
So it was a lot of food.
Speaker 5 (08:54):
Do you remember, Yeah, yeah, what do we have like
three pounds?
Speaker 1 (08:57):
Three pound post?
Speaker 2 (08:58):
I told everybody about that. It's the annual dinner that
you wouldn't believe. People were taking pictures. It was three
pound Lasania slices.
Speaker 1 (09:05):
Nobody finished home hungry.
Speaker 5 (09:07):
It was your fault.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
It was I was going to pay somebody if they
could finish, go ahead, I'm sorry, Okay.
Speaker 4 (09:12):
So during the dinner, I was able to share one
of the stories of one of our clients that I
had worked with last year. She had came into the
program in March of twenty four. I had not been
access yet, and so when she had first came in,
(09:34):
her stay was really short. It was a twenty one
day stay. And she had came in with some history
of addiction and she relapsed. And she was the one
who came to staff and said, Hey, I'm messed up
and I'm struggling and I.
Speaker 5 (09:53):
Need to go get help.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
So that's what she did.
Speaker 5 (09:56):
And fast forward.
Speaker 4 (10:00):
Months, she found herself in need of access and you know,
we sat down with her and talked to her and
reviewed everything about her previous day, and we brought her
back in. And during this time, she had such a
(10:20):
busy schedule. She was going to Worcester three times a
week for outpatient treatment, she was working a full time job,
she was rebuilding connections with her family and her children.
And I got to witness this person transform and really
(10:40):
embrace the love of God. I get a little emotional,
but she embraced the love of God and our support
and really dove into the program. Wow, and she's out
of the program now. Okay, she's still living in her
rental that she got. She's doing well, she's strong in
(11:01):
her faith, were able to stay connected. It's a wonderful
thing to see people come out of the program, but
in a way that they're bettering themselves. Not just hey man,
I got a place to live, right, I found a
better way to live.
Speaker 1 (11:19):
Right.
Speaker 5 (11:19):
That's what we really want.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
You really want to stop that cycle of them, you know,
coming back again. But it was interesting what you said, Ashley.
Even though that first time she wasn't successful, you left
things in such a way that she felt like she
could reconnect with you all. I think that's impressive because,
as we know, sometimes folks the first time through any program,
I don't care if it's counseling, social work, how I
(11:42):
mean anything, maybe they're not ready for whatever reason. But
if an organization ends that relationship in such a way
that the person doesn't feel like they can come back,
that's a shame, especially in a small county like Ashton Kunny.
So kudos to you both that you create the environment
and I know are partners do this where if things
don't work out the first time, it's okay, you know,
(12:04):
maybe we're not ready, but if things change for you,
please come back. And sounds like this person did that
and they really flowered that second time through.
Speaker 4 (12:12):
Right, absolutely, And that's that's us showing God's grace and
being those compassionate individuals where when everyone else says you're
a wash. Yeah, you know, I'm done. I'm not helping
you anymore.
Speaker 5 (12:30):
We're not giving up on you. Yeah, yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 2 (12:32):
That's one of those great stories in the Bible where
you know, God talks about forgiveness and the extent of forgiveness,
and if you might recall, Peter is like, well, how
many times should I forgive somebody that maybe you know.
Speaker 1 (12:46):
Has done something? Seven times?
Speaker 2 (12:47):
You know, and actually seven times Peter thought he was
being really really gracious, and you know, and the Lord says, no,
seventy times seventy, which is a fancy way of saying
as many times as it takes. So I think that
that's another important thing for the audience to hear that
forgiveness is critical because right if we've been forgiven, and
it's a very important figure of others, there's another parable
(13:10):
about that one which we probably don't have time to
get into. So that's important and I appreciate you saying that, Ashley,
because that matters because oftentimes, whether it's counseling, social work,
housing situations, we see people at maybe at the worst
point in their life, and we have to be understanding
and patient and forgiving because you know, we could be
(13:31):
there too, and when we want to be treated in
a similar way. So Sonny looks particularly tan.
Speaker 1 (13:37):
Now.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
I know it is the summer, but there might be
another reason for her tenness.
Speaker 1 (13:42):
Sonny.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
My understanding is that you took a trip out to California.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
I'm thinking of a Katie Perry song.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
But you went out to California and you got a
chance to visit some programming that's similar different obviously, but
similar to what we're doing. And the idea I think
was to maybe learn a little bit, maybe bring some
things back think differently. But tell us about that. How
did that trip even come about. I didn't know if
that had to do with your keynote speaker the last
(14:13):
couple of years, Evan, but yeah, just tell the audience
a little bit about how you got to go out
in California, what you learned out there, some of your experience.
Speaker 1 (14:20):
Don't go into all your.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
Experiences, just some of your experiences that might be relevant,
and then maybe what you've learned that you're gonna maybe
look to implement here in Ashton County.
Speaker 3 (14:31):
Yeah, absolutely so, Evan Craft. His dad, Ken Craft was
my keynote speaker or dinner last year, and he runs
hope the mission.
Speaker 1 (14:41):
Hope the mission over in LA.
Speaker 3 (14:44):
And LA is huge by the way, right, like you know,
I think of like, okay, little La, like no, huge La.
And the trip was sort of life changing, and I
would say in the terms of seeing all of the
homeless out to where here.
Speaker 2 (15:05):
They don't want to be seen, much more visible there
when you were there, okay.
Speaker 3 (15:08):
Yep, to where you would drive and then see somebody
inside of like this hedge, like you could see kind
of them moving around inside, and you're just like, Okay,
you know they weren't maybe as like right on the sidewalk,
but still more visible and definitely keeping in mind that poverty,
mental health, and addiction is not just in Ohio, It's everywhere.
(15:35):
But I also learned that connection is so powerful.
Speaker 1 (15:40):
Oh, tell me more about that.
Speaker 3 (15:41):
So my daughter and I my daughter went with me.
Speaker 2 (15:44):
I know, I met your daughter briefly at another meeting,
so I was afraid that she might be, you know,
tainted by this experience, traumatized.
Speaker 1 (15:52):
Hopefully that went okay.
Speaker 3 (15:53):
She actually is doing an internship for ministry at the church,
so it was perfect for her to tag along. She's
very passionate about what we do. She volunteers all the
time at access it loves to get involved. But we
met a man named Arulu and we had lunch with
this gentleman and he was just sitting on a bench
and we just decided, let's go eat lunch with him.
(16:14):
Talk to him here a story. So we're having this
conversation and his he said, his English isn't too great,
my Spanish is not great. Definitely need to work.
Speaker 1 (16:24):
You anything in Spanish.
Speaker 3 (16:26):
That was amazing to understand the ti we are learning
so much. But it was he came here in the
eighties with his truck, his motorcycle, and he wanted to
design landscaping, okay, and so he just continued to try
to find a place that would hire him to design
and do landscaping. But it was just him. He didn't
(16:48):
have a team, so he said, he struggled to find
anyone that would hire him. So then he had to
sell his bike. He sold his truck trying to you know,
maintain his living arrangements, and it just got too rough
and he lost it all. And you know, I asked him,
I said, you know, do you believe in Jesus? And
(17:09):
he said, you know him too, And he said He's
the only reason I'm still here. But there's just a
wonderful experience sitting there with him, watching all these people
walk by, almost like he was unseen. It was almost
like he was invisible to us being there. And so
I asked him. I was like, can I give you
a hug? And he shook his head.
Speaker 2 (17:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (17:31):
I gave him a hug and em was like, Mommy
made him cry. And I was like, I'll never I'll
never forget it. And he said, you two are going
to make the world a different place.
Speaker 1 (17:41):
He felt seen by you.
Speaker 3 (17:43):
It was just a wonderful experience. And that's what I
bring back to I mean, that's probably the biggest thing
to bring back is that everybody here just wants to
be heard and seen. I just want to know that
they exist and that they're important. That's great, Tony, which
exciting is inspiring our dinner. Our theme for our dinner,
(18:06):
I'll give you a sneak peek, is titled reflection.
Speaker 2 (18:08):
Okay, all right, that's coming up. When do you usually
is it the same month or date of the year
that you do guys at the dinner.
Speaker 3 (18:15):
Okay, it'll be the week of Valentine's Day week.
Speaker 2 (18:17):
Of Valentine's Day, so folks be planning ahead for that,
and then you actually got to see the way they
do some of their programming out there with Was there
any similarities that you noticed or what were some of
the either similarities or differences what we're trying to do
with access here?
Speaker 3 (18:31):
Okay, so what was really neat? There are a lot
of similarities about like the way they run their program,
They offer the budgeting, They optional Bible studies each one
of their sites. So they have twenty six shelter sites. Wow,
one is designated. It's like a humongous hotel that they
transformed and they're beautiful. You'd never be able to tell
these are shelters. Oh wow, Like I thought it was
(18:52):
a really neat hotel for you to stay at, but
it's actually and they have security to every one of
their shelters. Sure, they have twenty six shelters around LA.
They're trying to get more because the need is seventy
eight thousand.
Speaker 2 (19:04):
Is this one of the largest or the largest homeless
program there or do they have other people with as
many locations as this organization.
Speaker 3 (19:12):
They have other people that have some but they're trying
to kind of merge it together. They're wanting to kind
of that seems.
Speaker 2 (19:17):
Like a very large organization. I can't imagine having that
many properties and programs.
Speaker 3 (19:22):
That's pretty cool. But they have over seventy eight thousand
homeless and they've helped twenty eight thousand. Wow, maybe a
little more now that it's been a month and a
lot changes. Yeah, but they're he was kind of sharing
some of their success. Their success is getting them off
the street. Yep, you know, because they can stay. There
is no time limits.
Speaker 2 (19:42):
I see, I know our local program. You have a
bit of a time a frame and is that ninety
days or what's a typical timeframe that you like folks.
Speaker 3 (19:50):
About ninety days?
Speaker 2 (19:51):
Okay, okay, Well, you know you survive that trip, you
were touched by it, and this idea of being heard
and seen. You're taking that from your trip, and I
think you've already been doing some of that here, but
it's just maybe reinforced how important that is for the
folks to feel that for them to be successful. And
(20:14):
I also like the fact that you notice that they
upkeep their properties.
Speaker 1 (20:18):
Because that's another thing. Right.
Speaker 2 (20:20):
The idea is you shouldn't be able to tell the
difference between some of these programs and any other house, right,
don't we value these folks just as much as anybody else.
And you can see that sometimes if you don't value
that the way they live, the properties and upkeep on them,
then you're really reflecting maybe that you don't value the
person as much. So by keeping those things that you
(20:41):
as you said, you can't tell the difference, I think
that says a lot about them out there as well,
and that leads me into the next line of questioning.
Speaker 1 (20:49):
This is for both of you with that in mind,
And I know you have a board. I forgot to
ask you about your board.
Speaker 2 (20:54):
You've got how many board members now for Access I
don't know ten ten. So these are volunteers, right that
are on the Access board to help give you support,
direction for the programs, et cetera. And I know people
can cycle on and off, but it's nice to have
folks that are around you, both for the fundraising but
also just for the support, right, and guidance and bouncing
(21:16):
ideas off of.
Speaker 1 (21:17):
I imagine so well.
Speaker 3 (21:18):
And we have a wonderful board right now. I couldn't
do what I'm doing with all their supports.
Speaker 1 (21:23):
Same.
Speaker 2 (21:24):
Yeah, I've got twelve members, and yeah, I really rely
on them for the support and direction. Sometimes I need
sometimes people to tell me, David, don't do that.
Speaker 3 (21:32):
Well, yeah, I'm the dreamer and I need them to
be like, Okay, well that's great, but.
Speaker 1 (21:36):
There you go. Well I like that.
Speaker 2 (21:38):
But I wanted to say because talking about capacity and
exciting things, you all have recently, you and the board
have recently purchased a property on Maple Street. And if
folks haven't seen some of the pictures you guys have posted,
you've done some serious demo Sonny and Ash.
Speaker 1 (21:56):
I've seen these pictures. So tell the audience bit about what.
Speaker 2 (22:01):
The vision is for twenty eight Maple Street and where
maybe you guys are at in that process.
Speaker 3 (22:06):
Okay, So it's been really exciting. It's been an exciting
and learning. I mean we've learned a lot. Yeah, because
you know, my whole big vision was to build a building. Well,
remodeling one has taught me maybe to slow down a
little bit.
Speaker 1 (22:21):
There's a lot to remodel, is there.
Speaker 3 (22:23):
It look a lot of work, but I've learned a
lot in the process. But that is going to be
our new headquarters. So we're going to move from Claremont
over to twenty eight Maple. Okay, our office will be
on the left hand side, and then we'll have three
units on the right hand side and they're separated. They'll
have a separate entrance and exit. But the big exciting
(22:46):
thing is the fenced in playgrounds.
Speaker 1 (22:48):
Uh huh.
Speaker 3 (22:49):
That is beautiful. It gives us opportunities, not only for
the kids. As Ashley was saying, last year was fifty
percent and right now we have we have a side
yard eight kids and you know we have.
Speaker 4 (23:09):
Nine nine kids at Claremont right now.
Speaker 3 (23:14):
And they just have the little side yard to play in.
Speaker 2 (23:16):
Right, So this would greatly expand the play space for
the young people.
Speaker 3 (23:20):
Yeah, and not just that, we've got, you know, expanding
our programming. You know, we've talked about all the way
from them growing their own garden food and just gives
us more options.
Speaker 2 (23:33):
And then by by adding those units and then moving
out of Claremont, what do you what will you do
then with that space at Claremont, will that then expand
capacity there Clamont for so.
Speaker 3 (23:45):
Claremont will be we're kind of expanding our services as
far as our foundational growth program. Yeah, about one house
on Lee Avenue. That's kind of piloted our Foundational Growth program.
We've had two people cycle through that and so what
four units over on Claremont. The Foundational Growth Program allows
(24:05):
them once that ninety days is up, if they meet
some qualifications and they apply, we send them out to
about five community members to vote on who's eligible. Right now,
that's our process for the one house who they feel
would be eligible to go to that next step. I
see you know, do you know what are their goals
(24:27):
in life? There's a few things on the application.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
And they could stay longer at one of the Foundational
Growth site six months to a year.
Speaker 1 (24:34):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (24:35):
Again, the idea is so it's a longer transitional period
for them to maybe take what they are done in
those ninety days, continue to apply and develop that in
the sixty nine and then they're trying to move on
to again more but forever kind of place.
Speaker 4 (24:47):
Right in doing that with staff support, so they're still
so there's.
Speaker 1 (24:52):
Still the staff walk beside them.
Speaker 4 (24:54):
Oh yes, so staff is still meeting with them, keeping
them on track because they're.
Speaker 1 (24:59):
Paying rent the foundations.
Speaker 3 (25:02):
That's the second phase, yes, right, okay.
Speaker 2 (25:04):
So they've gotten to the point they've got to have
some kind of income, and the income gotta be you know,
enough to pay the bills and.
Speaker 1 (25:10):
Whatever you guys set that.
Speaker 2 (25:11):
I mean, you probably have some flexibility and how you
set the rents I would imagine basic, and we're making.
Speaker 3 (25:17):
Sure that it is, you know, less than what it's
going to be when they go out. So that way too,
they can still save.
Speaker 1 (25:23):
Save a little.
Speaker 2 (25:23):
Yeah, right, first month's rent and deposit is a killer
sometimes right.
Speaker 3 (25:27):
Right, And so far an everybody that came into Foundational
Growth has had their first month's rent and deposit for
that program.
Speaker 5 (25:34):
Wow, because we do the same thing.
Speaker 3 (25:35):
So that way too, that deposits kind of their little
safety net for here you.
Speaker 4 (25:40):
Go absolutely just in a little additional savings and and
for them to also learn how to be good tenants.
We can actually say, hey, yeah, we know they're going
to like they pay their rent on time and they're
not disturbing the neighbors and we can vouch for them.
Speaker 1 (26:01):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (26:01):
So what the landlord's call? Yeah, well, I know you
will do a ribbon cutting. I went to the one
on Claire Mount when you had that one, so the same.
I'm sure it will happen with maple. But do you
have a rough idea. I won't hold you to it, Sonny,
but do you have a rough idea when it might
be open and you'll do your big ribbon cutting?
Speaker 3 (26:20):
Well, I mean we're I'm a little nervous to want
to chins that the beginning of October.
Speaker 1 (26:28):
Beginning of October twenty twenty.
Speaker 3 (26:30):
Five should be done Labor Day weekend. Okay, they're still
saying we're on schedule.
Speaker 1 (26:36):
Okay, that's good.
Speaker 3 (26:37):
Speaking of that. August fifth and sixth, from nine to three,
we are going to be down there painting. So if
anybody's interested in volunteering to come help paint when it
as many hands as.
Speaker 2 (26:47):
Possible, that is something. Thank you for bringing that up.
I mean, when the Access program first started, Sunny this,
you were probably only five, but I was there, Sonny,
I'm very old. When it first the churches, right, they volunteered.
I mean the guests would actually stay at different churches
and move around, you know, on a cycle. But it
(27:08):
was all about this spirit of people volunteering their time,
their talents, their treasure.
Speaker 1 (27:12):
Right.
Speaker 2 (27:12):
So it sounds like you've continued that. I've seen your
post on this, so audience, Sonny is not joking. I
mean she will if you have time and you're willing.
You know, you've got some expertise or just want to help,
they can use you and whether it's painting, and they
will feed you, which is nice, very good. So you know,
(27:36):
maybe early October and then if I got it, I
wrote it down here. If everything works out right, you'll
have the four units at five weight Claremont, which will
be foundational growth. You still have the Lee Avenue for
foundational growth. Then you'll have the three units on Maple
that are more temporary as well as your HQ. You
are growing this program, young lady. I think that's the times,
(28:00):
I think right, and your volunteers. You have wonderful staff
like Ashley and your board members that are supportive of you.
So I'm just excited that Ashton County. I'm excited that
Kathy and I were both right when we noticed in
you big things, uh and Ashley. I know I've met
a few of the folks that have come through working
with Sonny since she's been there, but you and she
(28:23):
seemed to.
Speaker 1 (28:23):
Have a very good rapport.
Speaker 2 (28:25):
And I hope that it continues to be fulfilling to
you because it seems like.
Speaker 4 (28:28):
It is what we go way back where OG's.
Speaker 1 (28:31):
Oh did not know this? Are their photos that could
back that up?
Speaker 5 (28:34):
Yeah, I've got some.
Speaker 4 (28:35):
I've got some real good ones.
Speaker 1 (28:38):
But you should show those at the annual dinner.
Speaker 4 (28:41):
Because her son came and had a play date with
my son when they.
Speaker 5 (28:45):
Were just little babies.
Speaker 4 (28:46):
Now they're big, big boys. And she just touching on
what she had said before she came to access how
she was always helping people. When I tell you that
she was an encyclopedia of what is in Ashland County
to help you, wow, well, things that people had no
(29:08):
clue existed.
Speaker 1 (29:11):
She could just tell you, Yeah.
Speaker 4 (29:14):
It was so helpful to me at times, even you know,
to have that information, have someone who just wanted to help.
And when she says she had a heart of caring
and giving from way back, she's so right.
Speaker 2 (29:29):
Well, I had no idea you had an encyclopedic reference there.
Because when we have conversations at our Ashley Noon Lions Club,
she always looks at me like, what are you talking about?
Speaker 4 (29:41):
She's probably thinking about a bunch of a million other things.
Speaker 1 (29:43):
Probably is, and she always says, I talk about dumb stuff.
So that's probably why she's kind of interested in.
Speaker 2 (29:48):
The things I talk about, which I understand nobody is
Ashley though, That's why I talked to myself a lot. Well,
I know I'm going to put a bunch of the
information contact information in the episode description. But for those
that are listening, maybe what's the best way If folks
they know somebody, they themselves or they know somebody, what's
the best way that they should get a hold of
(30:08):
of access program to take that next step?
Speaker 3 (30:12):
They can go to our website at Ashlandaccess.
Speaker 1 (30:14):
Dot com, Nashinaccess dot com.
Speaker 3 (30:16):
YEP, or call the office at four one nine four
one nine nine zero three nine zero three zero zero
nine nine.
Speaker 1 (30:23):
Zero zero nine nine.
Speaker 2 (30:24):
Well, I can't thank you enough both for coming in
today and doing the program with us and audience. Please
check out the episode description. There are plenty of posts,
but watch the video and like it, share it. Thank
you and Ashley, Thank you, Sonny. Thank you for listening
to another episode of the Keeping Aashline Healthy podcast. The
(30:45):
podcast is a production of the Mental Health and Recovery
Board of Ashland County, Ohio. You can reach the board
by calling four one nine two eight one three one
three nine. Please remember that the board funds. A local
twenty four to seven crisis line through Applese Community Mental
Health Center can be reached by calling four one nine
two eight nine six one one one. That's four one
(31:05):
nine two eight nine six one one one. Until next time,
Please join us in keeping Ashland healthy
Welcome.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
You're listening to the Keeping Ashland Healthy podcast, a podcast
production of the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Ashland County, Ohio.
Thanks for joining us, and welcome back to another episode
of the Keeping Ashland Healthy podcasts in the studio. Very
excited to interview these two special ladies. We've got Sonny
McCarney and Ashley Williams. Welcome ladies.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
Hi.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
They are leading our Ashlan Insurance Community Emergency Shelter Services program.
Nobody calls it that because it's too long, right, we
just call it ACCESS. So that's the Ashland Church Community
Emergency Shelter Services or ACCESS program. And I am your host,
David ro Us here at the Mental Health and Recovery Board.
But ACCESS program is impacting lives every day in this community.
Speaker 1 (00:50):
Not everybody knows about it.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
So I was excited to get you both on the
program so you can tell more and more folks. I
know you have several events where you're the community letting
people know about what you're doing. I just wanted to
do that on the podcast because we can continue to
make this available to folks and hopefully they will learn
more and they will partner with you. Because I know
you have some exciting fundraisers throughout the year too, and
(01:14):
the more people know I think about the good work
you're doing Sunday and Ashley, the better. So I just
want to walk the audience through several things that are
going on both now and maybe in the future, and
just we'll have fun. Right I've told Sonny if you
don't know Sonny and Ashley, they're both very, very fun.
If anything, we're going to have to tamp it down
(01:36):
because they're going to be over the top fun. So
my first question I always like to ask guests kind
of you know they're passionate, and I know you're both
passionate about this, and maybe I'll start with you, Sunny,
where when did you first realize because you're like mining
your own business making you know, peanut butter and jelly
at home. What happened at some point you said I
(01:58):
want to do this access thing to help people that
are struggling with homelessness. When when did all this happen
for you?
Speaker 3 (02:05):
So really, going from making peanut burr and jelly at home,
I've always had a desire to help people, so I
kind of did like help my friends when I was
to stay at home mom, They'd call and I just like, oh,
I have this resource. So it was already kind of
interlocking people with all of the resources and things that
I had because I've always had a really strong desire
(02:27):
for helping and I experienced some poverty myself, and so
I went to North Central State College and started their
human services program and then did my internship at Safe Haven.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
And Domestic Violeent Shelter.
Speaker 3 (02:45):
Kind of got a really a feel of kind of
what it looks like in the community poverty itself, do
Mystic violence just to look at what we experience here.
And at that point, I really honestly didn't know we
had a whole lot of homeless, But then got a
call from Kathy, did an interview with her.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
Kathy Temans previous Access Yeah.
Speaker 3 (03:04):
And we had just kind of hit it off, you know,
She's like, I think you would be a great addition
to the team. And once I started to work with
the people that we were serving, it was incredible. It
was like, this is where I'm meant to be. That's awesome,
Like there was you learned so much from them, and
then you were able to just support and give them resources.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
You know, at the time I don't know if I've
told you this story, but at the time, Kathy was
writing space here at the board and you started to
come in a few times, and I had I was
just walking by and just heard you guys talking, and
I remember coming back up and.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
Said to Kathy, who is that girl? You know? And
she started to tell me a little bit about you.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
I was like, I could tell, even just passing in
the hallway listen to you talk with her about how
passionate you were. And Kathy knew too. She said, She's like, yeah,
she's she's really good. She's she's somebody I'm hoping we'll
maybe take this on. So I think she even knew
from early on your potential, Sonny. So from the beginning, yes,
(04:10):
from the very beginning. Yeah, well, thank you for that.
And so Ashley, maybe maybe the same question, you know,
what maybe what attracted you or what what made you
passionate about working at ACCESS.
Speaker 4 (04:24):
I really owe all of it to Sonny. She had
tried a few years ago to see if I would
join Access in the team, and you know, at the time,
I wasn't ready. I was healing from some things that
I was going through, things that I have experienced.
Speaker 5 (04:43):
And then last year she approached me again and she
did not quit.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
She persistently well.
Speaker 4 (04:52):
She is, and so I said, you know, we talked
and we prayed together about it, and I took that
leap and it was so amazing to walk in to
see how Sonny has taken it from what Kathy was
doing and grown it. And then to be with the
(05:14):
people and knowing, you know, they need someone in their corner,
they need someone fighting in the corner for them too.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
And if the audience doesn't know this, I've had a chance,
luckily to be with Sonny and Ashley at some events
and just to be around them and meetings. But I
think both of you you touched on your stories. I
think the people that are coming through Access recognize more
of somebody that's been there, done that. They recognize more
of that peer element rather some of these homeless programs
(05:44):
that the folks that are operating they've not experienced anything
close to it, And I think that comes out to
the guests if there's that disconnect. But if we're closer
to the issues that were helping people, they get that too,
And I think you're more effective that way.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
I don't know how you feel but.
Speaker 4 (05:59):
I think yeah, absolutely, oh yeah, making yourself more relatable.
You know, we all say that we understand and we care,
but having life experiences that are similar with you in
a different mindset of how they're feeling and how they're
trying to overcome these barriers.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
Sure, and ashlely, if you might, I know it's changed
over time, so to the extent that you know more
more recently about you know, just for the audience, how
many folks maybe that you guys see in the course
of a year, either in calls or actually assisting folks
that maybe that'll help folks get a better understanding of
the scope of the program.
Speaker 4 (06:40):
So in twenty twenty four, we served seventy five individuals.
Of those seventy five, fifty percent of them were children.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
Wow.
Speaker 4 (06:50):
Right now, looking at our call of need for the
current year, it is at two.
Speaker 5 (06:56):
Hundred and thirty four.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
Okay.
Speaker 4 (06:59):
Of that number, one hundred and seventy six of those
individuals are Ashland County residents.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
Is that something that is required? You can only see people, Okay,
So that's important.
Speaker 4 (07:11):
You have to have a ninety day residency in Ashland County.
There are some other requirements that we take into consideration.
Breaking it down a little further when you get into
that one seventy six, one hundred and fifty six of
those individuals are eligible for our program. Okay, so we
have a good wait list going.
Speaker 1 (07:32):
And okay, so there is a bit of a way.
Speaker 4 (07:34):
Right and in the meantime, we really do try to
connect with resources and make sure that we're addressing food
and security and other needs.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Well, that's one thing too. I've noticed it, and I
had said earlier about getting to know you a little bit.
I see you both, either one of you or both
of you, whether it's a meeting over zoom or an
in person meeting. I've noticed you've been intentional about trying
to make those connections, and in your roles at Access
you just said it, Actually that's critical to know the
resources because it's not Access isn't going to solve all
(08:04):
the resources. So you need to know how to partner
where to direct them so that they can get the
additional needs, whether it's food, clothing, shelter, you name it.
Speaker 4 (08:12):
So absolutely, sometimes the calls are not just for I
need shelter, it's what can what information can you give me?
I know someone who's struggling and and I don't know
where to send them.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
Yeah, yeah, well I actually you saied some of the numbers.
But maybe for the audience. I know some people really
respond better to actual people, like like a success story
or somebody that maybe that it's been in the pro
Can you share any of maybe that without I can.
Speaker 4 (08:42):
It's one story in particular, I was able to touch
on with our annual dinner, and.
Speaker 1 (08:49):
I was able to come to that that was a
really good thing.
Speaker 5 (08:51):
It was good food.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
So it was a lot of food.
Speaker 5 (08:54):
Do you remember, Yeah, yeah, what do we have like
three pounds?
Speaker 1 (08:57):
Three pound post?
Speaker 2 (08:58):
I told everybody about that. It's the annual dinner that
you wouldn't believe. People were taking pictures. It was three
pound Lasania slices.
Speaker 1 (09:05):
Nobody finished home hungry.
Speaker 5 (09:07):
It was your fault.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
It was I was going to pay somebody if they
could finish, go ahead, I'm sorry, Okay.
Speaker 4 (09:12):
So during the dinner, I was able to share one
of the stories of one of our clients that I
had worked with last year. She had came into the
program in March of twenty four. I had not been
access yet, and so when she had first came in,
(09:34):
her stay was really short. It was a twenty one
day stay. And she had came in with some history
of addiction and she relapsed. And she was the one
who came to staff and said, Hey, I'm messed up
and I'm struggling and I.
Speaker 5 (09:53):
Need to go get help.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
So that's what she did.
Speaker 5 (09:56):
And fast forward.
Speaker 4 (10:00):
Months, she found herself in need of access and you know,
we sat down with her and talked to her and
reviewed everything about her previous day, and we brought her
back in. And during this time, she had such a
(10:20):
busy schedule. She was going to Worcester three times a
week for outpatient treatment, she was working a full time job,
she was rebuilding connections with her family and her children.
And I got to witness this person transform and really
(10:40):
embrace the love of God. I get a little emotional,
but she embraced the love of God and our support
and really dove into the program. Wow, and she's out
of the program now. Okay, she's still living in her
rental that she got. She's doing well, she's strong in
(11:01):
her faith, were able to stay connected. It's a wonderful
thing to see people come out of the program, but
in a way that they're bettering themselves. Not just hey man,
I got a place to live, right, I found a
better way to live.
Speaker 1 (11:19):
Right.
Speaker 5 (11:19):
That's what we really want.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
You really want to stop that cycle of them, you know,
coming back again. But it was interesting what you said, Ashley.
Even though that first time she wasn't successful, you left
things in such a way that she felt like she
could reconnect with you all. I think that's impressive because,
as we know, sometimes folks the first time through any program,
I don't care if it's counseling, social work, how I
(11:42):
mean anything, maybe they're not ready for whatever reason. But
if an organization ends that relationship in such a way
that the person doesn't feel like they can come back,
that's a shame, especially in a small county like Ashton Kunny.
So kudos to you both that you create the environment
and I know are partners do this where if things
don't work out the first time, it's okay, you know,
(12:04):
maybe we're not ready, but if things change for you,
please come back. And sounds like this person did that
and they really flowered that second time through.
Speaker 4 (12:12):
Right, absolutely, And that's that's us showing God's grace and
being those compassionate individuals where when everyone else says you're
a wash. Yeah, you know, I'm done. I'm not helping
you anymore.
Speaker 5 (12:30):
We're not giving up on you. Yeah, yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 2 (12:32):
That's one of those great stories in the Bible where
you know, God talks about forgiveness and the extent of forgiveness,
and if you might recall, Peter is like, well, how
many times should I forgive somebody that maybe you know.
Speaker 1 (12:46):
Has done something? Seven times?
Speaker 2 (12:47):
You know, and actually seven times Peter thought he was
being really really gracious, and you know, and the Lord says, no,
seventy times seventy, which is a fancy way of saying
as many times as it takes. So I think that
that's another important thing for the audience to hear that
forgiveness is critical because right if we've been forgiven, and
it's a very important figure of others, there's another parable
(13:10):
about that one which we probably don't have time to
get into. So that's important and I appreciate you saying that, Ashley,
because that matters because oftentimes, whether it's counseling, social work,
housing situations, we see people at maybe at the worst
point in their life, and we have to be understanding
and patient and forgiving because you know, we could be
(13:31):
there too, and when we want to be treated in
a similar way. So Sonny looks particularly tan.
Speaker 1 (13:37):
Now.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
I know it is the summer, but there might be
another reason for her tenness.
Speaker 1 (13:42):
Sonny.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
My understanding is that you took a trip out to California.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
I'm thinking of a Katie Perry song.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
But you went out to California and you got a
chance to visit some programming that's similar different obviously, but
similar to what we're doing. And the idea I think
was to maybe learn a little bit, maybe bring some
things back think differently. But tell us about that. How
did that trip even come about. I didn't know if
that had to do with your keynote speaker the last
(14:13):
couple of years, Evan, but yeah, just tell the audience
a little bit about how you got to go out
in California, what you learned out there, some of your experience.
Speaker 1 (14:20):
Don't go into all your.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
Experiences, just some of your experiences that might be relevant,
and then maybe what you've learned that you're gonna maybe
look to implement here in Ashton County.
Speaker 3 (14:31):
Yeah, absolutely so, Evan Craft. His dad, Ken Craft was
my keynote speaker or dinner last year, and he runs
hope the mission.
Speaker 1 (14:41):
Hope the mission over in LA.
Speaker 3 (14:44):
And LA is huge by the way, right, like you know,
I think of like, okay, little La, like no, huge La.
And the trip was sort of life changing, and I
would say in the terms of seeing all of the
homeless out to where here.
Speaker 2 (15:05):
They don't want to be seen, much more visible there
when you were there, okay.
Speaker 3 (15:08):
Yep, to where you would drive and then see somebody
inside of like this hedge, like you could see kind
of them moving around inside, and you're just like, Okay,
you know they weren't maybe as like right on the sidewalk,
but still more visible and definitely keeping in mind that poverty,
mental health, and addiction is not just in Ohio, It's everywhere.
(15:35):
But I also learned that connection is so powerful.
Speaker 1 (15:40):
Oh, tell me more about that.
Speaker 3 (15:41):
So my daughter and I my daughter went with me.
Speaker 2 (15:44):
I know, I met your daughter briefly at another meeting,
so I was afraid that she might be, you know,
tainted by this experience, traumatized.
Speaker 1 (15:52):
Hopefully that went okay.
Speaker 3 (15:53):
She actually is doing an internship for ministry at the church,
so it was perfect for her to tag along. She's
very passionate about what we do. She volunteers all the
time at access it loves to get involved. But we
met a man named Arulu and we had lunch with
this gentleman and he was just sitting on a bench
and we just decided, let's go eat lunch with him.
(16:14):
Talk to him here a story. So we're having this
conversation and his he said, his English isn't too great,
my Spanish is not great. Definitely need to work.
Speaker 1 (16:24):
You anything in Spanish.
Speaker 3 (16:26):
That was amazing to understand the ti we are learning
so much. But it was he came here in the
eighties with his truck, his motorcycle, and he wanted to
design landscaping, okay, and so he just continued to try
to find a place that would hire him to design
and do landscaping. But it was just him. He didn't
(16:48):
have a team, so he said, he struggled to find
anyone that would hire him. So then he had to
sell his bike. He sold his truck trying to you know,
maintain his living arrangements, and it just got too rough
and he lost it all. And you know, I asked him,
I said, you know, do you believe in Jesus? And
(17:09):
he said, you know him too, And he said He's
the only reason I'm still here. But there's just a
wonderful experience sitting there with him, watching all these people
walk by, almost like he was unseen. It was almost
like he was invisible to us being there. And so
I asked him. I was like, can I give you
a hug? And he shook his head.
Speaker 2 (17:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (17:31):
I gave him a hug and em was like, Mommy
made him cry. And I was like, I'll never I'll
never forget it. And he said, you two are going
to make the world a different place.
Speaker 1 (17:41):
He felt seen by you.
Speaker 3 (17:43):
It was just a wonderful experience. And that's what I
bring back to I mean, that's probably the biggest thing
to bring back is that everybody here just wants to
be heard and seen. I just want to know that
they exist and that they're important. That's great, Tony, which
exciting is inspiring our dinner. Our theme for our dinner,
(18:06):
I'll give you a sneak peek, is titled reflection.
Speaker 2 (18:08):
Okay, all right, that's coming up. When do you usually
is it the same month or date of the year
that you do guys at the dinner.
Speaker 3 (18:15):
Okay, it'll be the week of Valentine's Day week.
Speaker 2 (18:17):
Of Valentine's Day, so folks be planning ahead for that,
and then you actually got to see the way they
do some of their programming out there with Was there
any similarities that you noticed or what were some of
the either similarities or differences what we're trying to do
with access here?
Speaker 3 (18:31):
Okay, so what was really neat? There are a lot
of similarities about like the way they run their program,
They offer the budgeting, They optional Bible studies each one
of their sites. So they have twenty six shelter sites. Wow,
one is designated. It's like a humongous hotel that they
transformed and they're beautiful. You'd never be able to tell
these are shelters. Oh wow, Like I thought it was
(18:52):
a really neat hotel for you to stay at, but
it's actually and they have security to every one of
their shelters. Sure, they have twenty six shelters around LA.
They're trying to get more because the need is seventy
eight thousand.
Speaker 2 (19:04):
Is this one of the largest or the largest homeless
program there or do they have other people with as
many locations as this organization.
Speaker 3 (19:12):
They have other people that have some but they're trying
to kind of merge it together. They're wanting to kind
of that seems.
Speaker 2 (19:17):
Like a very large organization. I can't imagine having that
many properties and programs.
Speaker 3 (19:22):
That's pretty cool. But they have over seventy eight thousand
homeless and they've helped twenty eight thousand. Wow, maybe a
little more now that it's been a month and a
lot changes. Yeah, but they're he was kind of sharing
some of their success. Their success is getting them off
the street. Yep, you know, because they can stay. There
is no time limits.
Speaker 2 (19:42):
I see, I know our local program. You have a
bit of a time a frame and is that ninety
days or what's a typical timeframe that you like folks.
Speaker 3 (19:50):
About ninety days?
Speaker 2 (19:51):
Okay, okay, Well, you know you survive that trip, you
were touched by it, and this idea of being heard
and seen. You're taking that from your trip, and I
think you've already been doing some of that here, but
it's just maybe reinforced how important that is for the
folks to feel that for them to be successful. And
(20:14):
I also like the fact that you notice that they
upkeep their properties.
Speaker 1 (20:18):
Because that's another thing. Right.
Speaker 2 (20:20):
The idea is you shouldn't be able to tell the
difference between some of these programs and any other house, right,
don't we value these folks just as much as anybody else.
And you can see that sometimes if you don't value
that the way they live, the properties and upkeep on them,
then you're really reflecting maybe that you don't value the
person as much. So by keeping those things that you
(20:41):
as you said, you can't tell the difference, I think
that says a lot about them out there as well,
and that leads me into the next line of questioning.
Speaker 1 (20:49):
This is for both of you with that in mind,
And I know you have a board. I forgot to
ask you about your board.
Speaker 2 (20:54):
You've got how many board members now for Access I
don't know ten ten. So these are volunteers, right that
are on the Access board to help give you support,
direction for the programs, et cetera. And I know people
can cycle on and off, but it's nice to have
folks that are around you, both for the fundraising but
also just for the support, right, and guidance and bouncing
(21:16):
ideas off of.
Speaker 1 (21:17):
I imagine so well.
Speaker 3 (21:18):
And we have a wonderful board right now. I couldn't
do what I'm doing with all their supports.
Speaker 1 (21:23):
Same.
Speaker 2 (21:24):
Yeah, I've got twelve members, and yeah, I really rely
on them for the support and direction. Sometimes I need
sometimes people to tell me, David, don't do that.
Speaker 3 (21:32):
Well, yeah, I'm the dreamer and I need them to
be like, Okay, well that's great, but.
Speaker 1 (21:36):
There you go. Well I like that.
Speaker 2 (21:38):
But I wanted to say because talking about capacity and
exciting things, you all have recently, you and the board
have recently purchased a property on Maple Street. And if
folks haven't seen some of the pictures you guys have posted,
you've done some serious demo Sonny and Ash.
Speaker 1 (21:56):
I've seen these pictures. So tell the audience bit about what.
Speaker 2 (22:01):
The vision is for twenty eight Maple Street and where
maybe you guys are at in that process.
Speaker 3 (22:06):
Okay, So it's been really exciting. It's been an exciting
and learning. I mean we've learned a lot. Yeah, because
you know, my whole big vision was to build a building. Well,
remodeling one has taught me maybe to slow down a
little bit.
Speaker 1 (22:21):
There's a lot to remodel, is there.
Speaker 3 (22:23):
It look a lot of work, but I've learned a
lot in the process. But that is going to be
our new headquarters. So we're going to move from Claremont
over to twenty eight Maple. Okay, our office will be
on the left hand side, and then we'll have three
units on the right hand side and they're separated. They'll
have a separate entrance and exit. But the big exciting
(22:46):
thing is the fenced in playgrounds.
Speaker 1 (22:48):
Uh huh.
Speaker 3 (22:49):
That is beautiful. It gives us opportunities, not only for
the kids. As Ashley was saying, last year was fifty
percent and right now we have we have a side
yard eight kids and you know we have.
Speaker 4 (23:09):
Nine nine kids at Claremont right now.
Speaker 3 (23:14):
And they just have the little side yard to play in.
Speaker 2 (23:16):
Right, So this would greatly expand the play space for
the young people.
Speaker 3 (23:20):
Yeah, and not just that, we've got, you know, expanding
our programming. You know, we've talked about all the way
from them growing their own garden food and just gives
us more options.
Speaker 2 (23:33):
And then by by adding those units and then moving
out of Claremont, what do you what will you do
then with that space at Claremont, will that then expand
capacity there Clamont for so.
Speaker 3 (23:45):
Claremont will be we're kind of expanding our services as
far as our foundational growth program. Yeah, about one house
on Lee Avenue. That's kind of piloted our Foundational Growth program.
We've had two people cycle through that and so what
four units over on Claremont. The Foundational Growth Program allows
(24:05):
them once that ninety days is up, if they meet
some qualifications and they apply, we send them out to
about five community members to vote on who's eligible. Right now,
that's our process for the one house who they feel
would be eligible to go to that next step. I
see you know, do you know what are their goals
(24:27):
in life? There's a few things on the application.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
And they could stay longer at one of the Foundational
Growth site six months to a year.
Speaker 1 (24:34):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (24:35):
Again, the idea is so it's a longer transitional period
for them to maybe take what they are done in
those ninety days, continue to apply and develop that in
the sixty nine and then they're trying to move on
to again more but forever kind of place.
Speaker 4 (24:47):
Right in doing that with staff support, so they're still
so there's.
Speaker 1 (24:52):
Still the staff walk beside them.
Speaker 4 (24:54):
Oh yes, so staff is still meeting with them, keeping
them on track because they're.
Speaker 1 (24:59):
Paying rent the foundations.
Speaker 3 (25:02):
That's the second phase, yes, right, okay.
Speaker 2 (25:04):
So they've gotten to the point they've got to have
some kind of income, and the income gotta be you know,
enough to pay the bills and.
Speaker 1 (25:10):
Whatever you guys set that.
Speaker 2 (25:11):
I mean, you probably have some flexibility and how you
set the rents I would imagine basic, and we're making.
Speaker 3 (25:17):
Sure that it is, you know, less than what it's
going to be when they go out. So that way too,
they can still save.
Speaker 1 (25:23):
Save a little.
Speaker 2 (25:23):
Yeah, right, first month's rent and deposit is a killer
sometimes right.
Speaker 3 (25:27):
Right, And so far an everybody that came into Foundational
Growth has had their first month's rent and deposit for
that program.
Speaker 5 (25:34):
Wow, because we do the same thing.
Speaker 3 (25:35):
So that way too, that deposits kind of their little
safety net for here you.
Speaker 4 (25:40):
Go absolutely just in a little additional savings and and
for them to also learn how to be good tenants.
We can actually say, hey, yeah, we know they're going
to like they pay their rent on time and they're
not disturbing the neighbors and we can vouch for them.
Speaker 1 (26:01):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (26:01):
So what the landlord's call? Yeah, well, I know you
will do a ribbon cutting. I went to the one
on Claire Mount when you had that one, so the same.
I'm sure it will happen with maple. But do you
have a rough idea. I won't hold you to it, Sonny,
but do you have a rough idea when it might
be open and you'll do your big ribbon cutting?
Speaker 3 (26:20):
Well, I mean we're I'm a little nervous to want
to chins that the beginning of October.
Speaker 1 (26:28):
Beginning of October twenty twenty.
Speaker 3 (26:30):
Five should be done Labor Day weekend. Okay, they're still
saying we're on schedule.
Speaker 1 (26:36):
Okay, that's good.
Speaker 3 (26:37):
Speaking of that. August fifth and sixth, from nine to three,
we are going to be down there painting. So if
anybody's interested in volunteering to come help paint when it
as many hands as.
Speaker 2 (26:47):
Possible, that is something. Thank you for bringing that up.
I mean, when the Access program first started, Sunny this,
you were probably only five, but I was there, Sonny,
I'm very old. When it first the churches, right, they volunteered.
I mean the guests would actually stay at different churches
and move around, you know, on a cycle. But it
(27:08):
was all about this spirit of people volunteering their time,
their talents, their treasure.
Speaker 1 (27:12):
Right.
Speaker 2 (27:12):
So it sounds like you've continued that. I've seen your
post on this, so audience, Sonny is not joking. I
mean she will if you have time and you're willing.
You know, you've got some expertise or just want to help,
they can use you and whether it's painting, and they
will feed you, which is nice, very good. So you know,
(27:36):
maybe early October and then if I got it, I
wrote it down here. If everything works out right, you'll
have the four units at five weight Claremont, which will
be foundational growth. You still have the Lee Avenue for
foundational growth. Then you'll have the three units on Maple
that are more temporary as well as your HQ. You
are growing this program, young lady. I think that's the times,
(28:00):
I think right, and your volunteers. You have wonderful staff
like Ashley and your board members that are supportive of you.
So I'm just excited that Ashton County. I'm excited that
Kathy and I were both right when we noticed in
you big things, uh and Ashley. I know I've met
a few of the folks that have come through working
with Sonny since she's been there, but you and she
(28:23):
seemed to.
Speaker 1 (28:23):
Have a very good rapport.
Speaker 2 (28:25):
And I hope that it continues to be fulfilling to
you because it seems like.
Speaker 4 (28:28):
It is what we go way back where OG's.
Speaker 1 (28:31):
Oh did not know this? Are their photos that could
back that up?
Speaker 5 (28:34):
Yeah, I've got some.
Speaker 4 (28:35):
I've got some real good ones.
Speaker 1 (28:38):
But you should show those at the annual dinner.
Speaker 4 (28:41):
Because her son came and had a play date with
my son when they.
Speaker 5 (28:45):
Were just little babies.
Speaker 4 (28:46):
Now they're big, big boys. And she just touching on
what she had said before she came to access how
she was always helping people. When I tell you that
she was an encyclopedia of what is in Ashland County
to help you, wow, well, things that people had no
(29:08):
clue existed.
Speaker 1 (29:11):
She could just tell you, Yeah.
Speaker 4 (29:14):
It was so helpful to me at times, even you know,
to have that information, have someone who just wanted to help.
And when she says she had a heart of caring
and giving from way back, she's so right.
Speaker 2 (29:29):
Well, I had no idea you had an encyclopedic reference there.
Because when we have conversations at our Ashley Noon Lions Club,
she always looks at me like, what are you talking about?
Speaker 4 (29:41):
She's probably thinking about a bunch of a million other things.
Speaker 1 (29:43):
Probably is, and she always says, I talk about dumb stuff.
So that's probably why she's kind of interested in.
Speaker 2 (29:48):
The things I talk about, which I understand nobody is
Ashley though, That's why I talked to myself a lot. Well,
I know I'm going to put a bunch of the
information contact information in the episode description. But for those
that are listening, maybe what's the best way If folks
they know somebody, they themselves or they know somebody, what's
the best way that they should get a hold of
(30:08):
of access program to take that next step?
Speaker 3 (30:12):
They can go to our website at Ashlandaccess.
Speaker 1 (30:14):
Dot com, Nashinaccess dot com.
Speaker 3 (30:16):
YEP, or call the office at four one nine four
one nine nine zero three nine zero three zero zero
nine nine.
Speaker 1 (30:23):
Zero zero nine nine.
Speaker 2 (30:24):
Well, I can't thank you enough both for coming in
today and doing the program with us and audience. Please
check out the episode description. There are plenty of posts,
but watch the video and like it, share it. Thank
you and Ashley, Thank you, Sonny. Thank you for listening
to another episode of the Keeping Aashline Healthy podcast. The
(30:45):
podcast is a production of the Mental Health and Recovery
Board of Ashland County, Ohio. You can reach the board
by calling four one nine two eight one three one
three nine. Please remember that the board funds. A local
twenty four to seven crisis line through Applese Community Mental
Health Center can be reached by calling four one nine
two eight nine six one one one. That's four one
(31:05):
nine two eight nine six one one one. Until next time,
Please join us in keeping Ashland healthy
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