WINTERSVILLE — The Jefferson County Resource Network has brought together area service providers and is offering a handy guide for the public to navigate the plethora of resources available.

On June 14, representatives from entities in the network met to exchange information, speak about new programs and upcoming events and learn how they might work together to meet diverse needs. The Resource Network hosted the meeting at the Wintersville United Methodist Church’s Center for Hope.

Developed and offered through the Jefferson County Educational Service Center and funded by the Jefferson County commissioners, the resource network has developed a website and an app as part of a one-stop hub to help the public navigate the many resources on offer.

Beth Rupert-Warren, network service coordinator, greeted the attendees and asked them to introduce themselves. She said there are now 70 categories on the website, with new resources including youth and adult recreation.

Visitors and network participants included representatives from Goodwill, Help Me Grow, the Jefferson County Community Action Council, the Village Network, the Dixon Healthcare Center and the Department of Job and Family Services. Their missions were varied, whether assisting individuals who are coming out of the Eastern Ohio Correction Center join the workforce, providing intensive treatment programs for home-bound people, caregiver support or investigating cases of abuse and neglect.

Dawn Gombar, achieve stability through community education and determination coordinator with the Jefferson Metropolitan Housing Authority, is working with the network to promote the program aimed at helping area residents in public housing to reach self-sufficiency.

There are many success stories. Longtime community partners and newcomers to the organization’s services networked, looking forward to learning about new developments.

Cynthia Morris, administrator with Our Place Activity and Resource Center 50-Plus in Steubenville, said she has found the network highly beneficial.

“It gives a good landing place for seniors to go and discover services and point them in the right direction, because it is very hard for them to navigate the system,” she said. “Transportation is definitely very important and needed, and also just staying connected, socialization and showing them what is out there that they can participate in, whether just themselves or become a volunteer to help others. Just to keep them active and engaged in the community.”

Melissa Evick, account executive for Visiting Angels essential non-medical home care, said this was her first time attending a network meeting. She was impressed by the “wealth of knowledge” and has added her group’s information to the site.

“I’m so excited to be part of it,” she said, noting the opportunities for seniors, whether returning from a hospital stay, downsizing or seeking other assistance.

“Actually being online showing everything out there for all of the community is absolutely amazing,” she said. “I’m looking forward to networking.”

Marti Leake, RSVP program coordinator with AmeriCorps Seniors said the resource network will be a valuable asset as she recruits older volunteers for nonprofits.

“When I have senior volunteers ask different questions, I can connect them to this resource,” she said. “It’s a lot of building that social connectivity for the volunteers.”

Disaster program specialist Seth Kenefick and DPS volunteer partner Spenser Hill, members of the American Red Cross, said Resource Network will be useful in taking a community-based approach to helping during disaster relief and with issues such as housing, medical care and food insecurity.

“The Jefferson County Resource Network definitely helps us fulfill that by working with our community partners, as opposed to doing it all by ourself,” Kenefick said, adding they have worked with the program for the past two months. “There seems to be some good resources there.”

Galen Wade, vocational rehabilitation counselor for Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities commended the Resource Network’s accomplishments in uniting area organizations.

“We can team up and be more aware of what services each one of us provides, so that we’re able to assist our community members. Communication is the key to be able to link people up with the resources that they’re seeking,” he said. “I make use of it on a regular basis. Whenever I have participants that are needing services and we’re not able to provide. One of the things it’s most used for is resources on food assistance, on housing assistance and educational services.”

Wade said the Resource Network has also been useful in connecting people with disabilities and potential employers.

Sarita Asawa, community outreach coordinator with the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County, saw the potential of the effort early on for helping the library provide people with information they were searching for.

“It’s a huge benefit for us to be able to hand all of our patrons resources in the community that most people don’t know about,” she said. “I’ve definitely found as I’ve gone through the website so many things I didn’t know existed. For instance, we had a patron who was looking for mental health services and I was able to open up the website and hand them all of the information, right at their fingertips, so I think this is an incredible initiative.”

Marcy Crawford, executive director of the Steubenville YMCA, saw the connections as valuable in reaching out to partner with other agencies to coordinate events at her venue.

Rupert-Warren looks forward to seeing the network benefit more people as the program grows.

“We had new people in attendance that had never been here before,” she said.

The next network meeting will be scheduled for September in the Center for Hope at 702 Main St. Rupert-Warren said the program hopes to address transportation needs and gaps in service during that and subsequent meetings.

For information, visit jcresourcenetwork.org or e-mail info@jcresourcenetwork.net.