SUMMIT COUNTY, OHIO—Gabi Shainoff, a student at Hudson Middle School and a Girl Scout, recently completed a collection of toiletry items for refugees arriving in Summit County. Shainoff partnered with Summit County Department of Job and Family Services (SCDJFS) to collect and distribute the toiletry kits. Summit County is one of six counties in Ohio receiving funding for refugee resettlement social services. SCDJFS administers public assistance programs for refugees and contracts with various local groups to provide social services.
“Summit County prides itself on being a welcoming community,” said Executive Ilene Shapiro. “Not matter who you are or where you are from, you are welcome in our community. It is rewarding to see one of our youngest residents so committed to this idea.”
Shainoff collected enough supplies to create 136 toiletry kits. She received donations from Quest Diagnostics, Hudson City Schools, Pure Health Dental and Hudson Presbyterian Church. The kits will be distributed by SCDJFS in partnership with local refugee community groups.
“I am very fortunate to have this opportunity to welcome the newly entering refugees in Summit County, Ohio,” said Shainoff. “Although we are living through these nerve-racking times of COVID-19, we are all able to benefit and strengthen our community in some way!”
The project was completed as part of Shainoff’s Silver Award Project for Girl Scouts. This award is the highest honor for a Girl Scout Cadette. In addition to collecting and distributing the toiletry kits, Shanioff also presented her project to fellow students at Hudson Middle School to raise awareness about refugees in Summit County.
