Partnership for Success - Council Members

Three community members were recently recognized for their passionate and tireless work on behalf of Geauga families and children at the 5th “John Murray Commitment to Families and Children Award” reception held at the Geauga Public Library System Administrative Center. The Geauga Family First Council, a collaborative of local agencies and community representatives, sponsors the event.

“This award is presented on a bi-annual basis to individuals in Geauga County, who have exhibited a continued commitment to Geauga’s families and children, coupled with a special passion for their work,” says Betsy Griffin, President of Geauga Family First Council and the Geauga County Outreach Coordinator for Starting Point, Northeast Ohio's child care and early education resource and referral agency.

Since 2001 Geauga Family First Council has presented the John Murray Award to individuals who “go above and beyond” in supporting and advocating for children and families whether as a direct service volunteer, a board member, a human service professional or some combination of all three. This year the Council received 19 nominations for 16 individuals “all of whom significantly impact the lives of Geauga’s children making the selection process extremely difficult,” according to Nancy Seelbach, the Geauga Family First Council Coordinator.

As Brad Welch, the Council’s Case Services Coordinator, said in his presentation, the 3 award winners had many special qualities in common. According to Tracy Jordan’s nominators, “Tracy’s sensitivity, diligence and energy make her a tireless advocate on behalf of families.” While Meredith Myers was described as someone “who arrives at work each day with a drive and passion towards her ongoing commitment to achieve a successful outcome for Geauga children and families.” Helyne Walker was nominated because she is someone who “gives people hope, her goal being to help families so they can help themselves.”

This award is named in honor of John Murray, an original member of Geauga Family First Council and the Geauga County Administrator from 1993 to 1999. “John Murray epitomized the phrase ‘above and beyond the call of duty’”, Jim Adams, the Geauga Mental Health and Recovery Services Board Executive Director recalls. “John was interested in the progress of each child and in his own quite but effective way, pushed Geauga Family First Council and other local agencies and administrators to keep the best interest of each child and family at the heart of their decision-making.”

The John Murray Award was established by Council in 2001. Past winners include: Martie & Bob Ballish, Ruth Carlton, and Joann Leach in 2001; Susan Hallums, Judge Charles Henry, and Andrea Pollock in 2003; Deputy Joe Keough, Linda Myers, and former County Commissioner Bill Repke in 2005; and Dr. Heng Wang, Lynn Kempf, Wally Waldbauer, and Frank Scarano in 2007.

The Geauga Family First Council is a partnership of government agencies and community organizations committed to improving the well-being of children and families. Through prevention, early intervention and the provision of services which support the entire family the Council is strongly committed to helping remove barriers for Geauga’s children. The Council has helped develop, and currently funds, a wide range of community-based services which include the BRIDGES Program, Family Strengths, the Family Stability Program, Geauga Therapeutic Youth Center, and Help Me Grow.

Back row: Tracy Jordan, Tina Bongiovanni, Helyne Walker, Patti Gallagher, Matt McClelland, Natalie Smith, George Purgert

Front row: Janis Dicorleto, Sandra Coffee, Gina Symsek, Meredith Myers

Not pictured: Thomas Rehnert

John Murray Commitment to Families and Children Award

The 2009 Nominees

John Murray
Commitment to Families and Children Award