Editor’s Note: This is the sixth of eight stories appearing daily in the News Journal on the members of the 2017 Class of the Outstanding Women of Clinton County.
Through building strong bridges between school and home, this teacher/advisor’s work at East Clinton Elementary School and the Clinton County Alternative School has been a true lifeline for children and parents alike. Because of Cheryl Roberts’ deep personal involvement in rescuing families from the kinds of socioeconomic situations that prevent their children from achieving academic success, she has been nominated to the 2017 class of the Outstanding Women of Clinton County.
To quote the person who nominated her, “I have never known anyone like Cheryl who embodies the mentality of community before self.”
A native of Fayette County, Roberts’ career of over 30years of dedication to child advocacy has included being a cheer advisor, track coach, and intervention specialist. As part of her effort to provide students and their families opportunities to improve education through improving their lives, Roberts established the East Clinton Kids Club. This highly successful program gives direction not only to children who need it, but to their families as well.
The widely varying support activities which she supervises include food delivery; arranging of transportation; guidance on resume creation and job application; gardening and cooking lessons; etiquette classes; social nights (including dinner “nights out” prepared by children for their parents); and “dad-only” events.
Roberts has even helped desperate families find new housing. In one case, she collected donations from five organizations to purchase, deliver, and install a trailer as a much-needed Christmas present for two East Clinton students.
At the Clinton County Alternative School, she has likewise worked closely with our community’s most at-risk teenagers, offering them practical knowledge and helping them develop the skills they need to succeed in the classroom and in life.
Roberts has been on the board of the United Way of Clinton County for many years, having served as both Vice President and Secretary, and having been honored at both county and state levels for her extraordinary service. This included recognition as the Top Volunteer of Clinton County. Currently she heads the United Way Allocations Committee, which ensures that donations are invested in the most effective ways.
She also volunteers at the Wilmington Animal Homeless Shelter and helps raise funds for homeless pets.
The overarching goal of all her service has been to connect families with the resources.
Tickets for the March 4 Outstanding Women of Clinton County luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at the Roberts Centre are $25 (cash or check accepted). Reservations can be made at the Wilmington News Journal, 761 S. Nelson Ave., Wilmington, OH 45177. The News Journal’s office hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. If you have any questions, please call 937-382-2574. Reservations will be accepted through March 1.
