Agency aids people in crisis

CELINA - A former police officer and probation officer is now at the helm of Our Home Family Resource Center, a non-profit agency that seeks to empower Mercer County residents to grow from crisis to hope.

Kevin Draiss took over as director in December after spending months learning the ropes from outgoing director Kathy Mescher, who has since retired. She filled Draiss in on Our Home's programs, budgets, agendas, grants, client needs and staff.

"I got to see every aspect, and hats off to the board because they were really wise in allowing Kathy and I to work together for three months," Draiss said. "I don't think we could have had a seamless transition without that time together."

Draiss, who lives in Celina with his wife, Erika, and three daughters, came on during Our Home's busiest times as it prepared for the annual Mercer County Angel Tree program that offers financially-strapped parents a chance to pick up a few toys, stocking stuffers and household items at no cost.

It was also crunch time for getting in applications for grant programs.

The board selection commitee sensed Draiss' "passion just minutes into his interview, believing that he had the necessary compassion and the skill-set that is required," according to an agency news release. Mescher, who led Our Home for 10 years, indicated she's confident Draiss is "prepared and grasps the complexities of this new position."

"From what I've witnessed, Kevin clearly has the ability to tackle the administrative duties," Mescher said. "But much more important are his compassion and empathy, which blend beautifully with the mission of Our Home and with our staff's commitment. Keven has deep concern for people. He's connected and committed to this community, and he has the right tools to take over as director."

Draiss said his experience in law enforcement provides unique insight that will help him in his new role.

"In my previous work you kind of see people at their worst and then you send them off and you don't really know what comes of it, and here I know what the back end of things look like - or at least I know what it looks like then for them, especially with our Family Crisis Network and domestic violence and sexual assault survivors," Draiss said.

Draiss graduated from the University of Toledo with a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies. He worked a few years in office administration before joining the police academy in 2007. He served as a police officer for three years at Minster and for five years at St. Marys before he moved on to Mercer County Juvenile Probation.

"Working with the juvenile court is where I really got my eyes open to how people are usually more a victim of their circumstances," Draiss told the newspaper. "When the director position came open I knew that Our Home was connected to all those agencies and it seemed like a real natural transition for me."

Our Home serves as a sort of one-stop hub for Mercer County residents in need of help.

"We are a family resource center so if we don't have the program or the ability to help you directly, we know where to send you," Draiss said. "Everybody leaves with some sort of answer, some sort of direction to go in."

Originally established as a referral service to direct people in need to resources, the center has expanded over 20 years to offer core primary services. It's supported by federal and state grant dollars but relies nearly exclusively on local donations to carry out its direct services and referral division, which provides emergency assistance and a food pantry.

"Our programs are really strong right now and serving people well and that's largely due to Kathy's direction over the last 10 year," Draiss said. "Some of our programs are truly community driven."

Draiss said it's utterly humbling to see the large outpouring of support from the community, individuals, businesses, churches and civic organizations.

"We couldn't do it without them," he said. "All the day I see all the good and it's just amazing."

Many times the people come to Our Home after facing a series of setbacks - the loss of a job, an unexpected illness or injury or domestic turbulence.

"For an individual who's struggling with something, to navigate that can be really overwhelming. We don't want it to be overwhelming for them," he said.

The center can supply direct assistance or referrals elsewhere to help income-eligible residents to restore their utilities, make a rent payment or obtain a prescription, gas voucher or other items.

The Family Crisis Network administered by Our Home extends to victims of domestic violence guidance, shelter and advocacy to help them escape physical, emotional and sexual abuse.

Support and temporary placement in shelters for victims and their children are available.

The center houses the county's Family & Children First Council, helping parents of children with severe needs requiring numerous services through multiple agencies.

Our Home furnishes supervised visitation services between parents and children from Mercer County and surrounding areas who are separated because of issues pertaining to divorce, paternity rights, addiction and domestic violence

The center has a staff of eight full-time employees.

"The lack of turnover speaks volumes for the consistency in what we do," he said, noting all of the employees besides himself have been with the agency between three to nine years.

Staff have adapted to the COVID 19 pandemic by working remotely as much as possible. They also turned the food pantry into a no-contact pickup on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Calls for services are up in some areas and down in others, Draiss said.

"One area of specific concern is the Family Crisis Network. We know for fact that statewide domestic violence calls are up but calls for help are down," he said. "There's no reason to believe that's not happening here."

With lockdowns, quarantines and social distancing, some victims of domestic abuse may not be able to slip away from home to make a phone call for help, he said.

Asked how the public can best support Our Home, Draiss said the agency is always in need of financial assistance.

"We're able to stretch a dollar here very well, and it stays in Mercer County," he said.

In 2020, Our Home's direct services and referral program responded to nearly 1,625 requests for help with food, medical expenses, utility bills, rent, home repairs, transportation and unexpected expenses.

It's Family Crisis Network provided emotional support services and criminal justice assistance to 409 clients, fielded 1,064 calls through its 24-hour crisis helping and provided over 1,134 bed nights to victims of domestic violence.

Our Home's visitation center monitored 218 family visits, providing for over 426 hours of supervised family interaction.