For over 70 years, CYO and Community Services has offered a unique blend of programming to address the societal needs of the young, disabled elderly and poor.
CYO and Community Services is proud to serve our area youth through Athletics, Camp Christopher, Youth Ministry, and Youth Enrichment, while additional support for the greater community is provided through Adult Day Services, Home Service Project, and programs for individuals with mental and physical disabilities.
We invite you to become a part of CYO and Community Services. Come explore our programs, visit our volunteer or employment opportunities, or learn how to donate your talents or resources. Together we can build a better community.
| CYO and Community Services 812 Biruta St. Akron, OH 44307-1104 |
330.762.2961 | Phone 330.762.2001 | Fax 330.762.2000 | Adult Day Services 330.374.8326 | Athletics 330.376.2267 | Camp Christopher |
CYO and Community Services is a partnership of youths, adults, and parishes, rooted in Catholic values, committed to fostering a culture of community service, and dedicated to serving the young, the disabled, the elderly, and the poor.
We Value
Spirituality…CYO and Community Services shall promote the spiritual development of program participants, volunteers, staff and trustees.
Dignity…CYO and Community Services shall contribute to the dignity of each person, especially those whom we serve.
Inclusiveness…CYO and Community Services shall foster the development of inclusive communities with God as their center.
Service…CYO and Community Services shall nurture a spirit of selfless service, as Jesus taught.
Hope…CYO and Community Services shall engender among participants, volunteers, staff and trustees a spirit of hope, which is rooted in faith in a loving God who calls us to action as a caring community.
A group of leaders at the Catholic Service League founded CYO in 1936 out of concern for area youth in the later years of the Depression. The program operated as a division of the Catholic Service League until 1967, when it was spun off as a separate corporation. CYO services now spans into seven primary areas: Adult Day Services, Athletics, Camping, Home Service Project, Recreational Respite and SumFun for persons with disabilities, Youth Enrichment and Youth Ministry. These programs are open to persons of all races, faiths and ethnic backgrounds.
- 1936
- Akron CYO is founded and begins building the program on the twin foundations of athletics and camping. Early CYO activities includes leagues for baseball, softball, football, basketball and bowling, along with Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, marble tournaments, track meets, model airplane competitions, pistol and rifle shooting teams, and leadership training courses. The staff works with the Knights of Columbus to provide camping opportunities for needy young boys.
- 1954
- In operation since 1924 (by the Knights of Columbus which later turned over the entire camp to the Catholic Service League), Camp Christopher relocates to its present location on Hametown Road in Bath, on land purchased by Catholic Charities.
- 1963
- In conjunction with the Summit County Council for the Retarded, CYO organizes a day camp at Camp Christopher for people with mental disabilities.
- 1967
- CYO becomes autonomous, making CYO and the Catholic Service League separate organizations.
- 1968
- CYO sponsors its first Search for Christian Maturity retreat (Youth Ministry).
- 1977
- With a funding award by the Area Office on Aging, CYO initiates the first adult day care program (Adult Day Services) in the Akron area.
- 1980
- CYO of Summit County assumes responsibility for CYO programming in Medina, Wayne and Ashland Counties.
- 1984
- Summer Recreation Program for Physically Disabled Youth (SumFun) begins in conjunction with the Summit County United Way, Catholic Charities and City of Akron Recreation Department.
- 1989
- Recreational Respite started to provide weekend programs for persons with disabilities and respite for their caregivers
- 1993
- In June, CYO changes its name to CYO & Community Services to better reflect the breadth of services offered.
- 1995
- CYO & Community Services relocates its offices to the former St. Peter’s School building, breathing new life into the facility and creating a new presence in the community.
- 1998
- CYO adds Neighborhood Services (Youth Enrichment) to its list of community services. The afterschool program begins by offering tutoring and recreation for 4th and 5th graders.
- 2000
- CYO Adult Day Services on Biruta St. reaches capacity of the facility. A second CYO Adult Day Services opens in Cuyahoga Falls and remains open until February, 2003.
- 2002
- CYO begins a pilot mentoring program with Summit County Juvenile Court.
- 2004
- CYO accepts full responsibility for the diocesan Environmental Education program offered at Camp Christopher.
- 2005
- CYO begins the Home Service Project to serve disabled older adults in their homes with yard work and light home maintenance.
CYO and Community Services is honored by the valuable support of our donors, foundations and funders who grant CYO the opportunity to provide programming to the thousands of participants in our programs. Thank you for your support!
Catholic Charities
Diocese of Cleveland CYO and Community Services is a member corporation of Catholic Charities Health and Human Services, a system of services organized under the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. CYO participates in joint planning and sharing some administrative services to best serve our community. Under the leadership of the bishop of Cleveland, our diocese conducts an annual Catholic Charities Appeal, which benefits CYO programs.
Foundations
Numerous Akron area foundations and trusts provide essential funding to various CYO programs and initiatives.
Individual Contributions
Individual donations to CYO – through the annual Partners in Giving Campaign, memorial gifts, special event participation or other initiatives – assist CYO in extending services to persons who cannot afford fees or qualify for other aid. These gifts also support key initiatives to improve services for others.
Adult Day Services
Area Agency on Aging 10B, County of Summit Board of Mental Retardation & Development Disabilities, Louis Stokes, Cleveland VAMC, Ohio Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summit County Department of Job and Family Services, United Way of Summit County
Athletics
United Way of Summit CountyPrograms for Individuals with Special Needs
County of Summit Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, United Way of Summit CountyYouth Enrichment Program (Neighborhood Services)
Summit County and Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, United Way of Summit County Donald P. Finn - Executive Director
Tess Flannery - Associate Director
Louise Grizer - Director of Development
Kim Ausel - Human Resource Manager
Mary Kase - Volunteer Services Coordinator
Mary Cooper - Licensed Social Worker
Celeste Thayer - IT Specialist,
Camp Registrar
Program Directors
Jim Mazzagatti - Director of Adult Day Services
Mary Ann King - Director of Athletics
John Litten - Director of Camp Christopher
Rebecca Anderson - Home Service Project Coordinator
Tess Flannery - Director of Programs for Persons with Disabilities
Sara Woolridge - Youth Enrichment Coordinator
Maureen Capellas - Director of Youth Ministry
Please contact Celeste Thayer at cthayer@clevelandcatholiccharities.org or 330.762.2961 ext. 227 if you have any problems or questions about this website.
