Special bricks to raise funds for service center

Jason Robertson, executive director of Sylvania Area Family Services, says the 5,000-square-foot expansion now under construction is being built largely by labor donated by members of local trade unions. The goal of the brick sale is $30,000. THE BLADE/DAVE ZAPOTOSKY Enlarge | Photo Reprints

The Patti Baidel Memorial "Ray of Hope" campaign is under way at Sylvania Area Family Services.

The goal is to raise $30,000 by April 15 by selling bricks inscribed with donors' names to pave a walk in front of the social service agency's building at 5440 Marshall Rd.

Jason Robertson, the agency's executive director, said the money is needed to help pay for the 5,000-square-foot building expansion that started last summer.

Most of the labor is being done by volunteers from local trade unions.

"The community is very supportive, and we're asking it to continue that support," Mr. Robertson said.

The walkway will be named for Patti Baidel, who was Mr. Robertson's predecessor.

She died of a heart attack in 2007 at the age of 50 while working in the garden outside her office.

Mrs. Baidel changed the name of the agency from the Huntington Farms Community Center to Sylvania Area Family Services and held its first community awards dinner to raise money.

The inscribed bricks are available for $75 (4 inches by 8 inches), $100 (8 by 8) , $500 (12 by 12), and $1,000 (16 by 16). They can be purchased at the agency or by downloading a purchase form at sylvaniaareafamilyservices.org. The expansion will double the size of the agency's facility, to 10,000 square feet.

The project is funded by a $250,000 matching grant from the state and strong assistance from the Sylvania Rotary, which raised $100,000, and other donors, including the Landman Goldman Foundation, which gave $25,000. The city of Sylvania and Sylvania Township each gave $50,000.

Sylvania Area Family Services made more than 6,000 food distributions last year to individuals and families in need, according to Mr. Robertson. He said the demand for services has increased by a third in the last few years "and is pretty steady."

With a $200,000 annual budget, the agency is small and struggling. Mr. Robertson said he is the only full-time employee. Operating funds for 2012 include $30,000 from the city and $10,000 from the township. The agency also depends on grants and private gifts.

The expansion project includes the demolition of a worn-out structure next to the main building and the extension of the latter. Parking will be increased and drainage improved.

The shell of the extension is up, but electrical, plumbing, and drywall work needs to be done. The new space will house youth programming and will be available for rent. It will also be used for an expanded domestic violence program the agency is planning in collaboration with Sylvania Municipal Court, the YWCA, and Lourdes University.

Agency services include after-school programs, summer camp, and the Sylvania Youth Diversion Program, completion of which allows first-time, nonviolent youth offenders to wipe clean their juvenile conviction record. More than 100 offenders complete the program each year.

A new service is the backpack program, which on Thursdays distributes food to children in the after-school program to hold them over for the weekend.