Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
Cardinal Stritch senior Olivia Ford has been named the Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Club of Toledo.
Ford started volunteering with the organization her freshman year and fell in love with the program and its mission.
"I realized that when working with the kids, I could really be myself around them, and I discovered a real passion for working with younger kids,” Ford said.
Ford began her journey with the Boys & Girls Club by playing games, running events, and helping with schoolwork for young children. A few months later, she was invited to apply for a position as a member of the Teen Employment Corps as a junior staff member at the East Toledo branch of the organization. In that role, she mentors younger members and assists adult staff with implementing youth programs.
Last year, the East Toledo branch recognized Ford with its John E. Gunckel Award for Service for community service, leadership, and mentorship.
Ford was awarded Youth of the Month through the National Exchange Club in Oregon. Not only is she a full-time student while working for the Boys & Girls Club, but she also coaches youth volleyball through Legacy Elite Volleyball Academy.
Ford is also very active at Stritch. As a team captain for the volleyball team, she was named the Toledo Area Athletic Conference (TAAC) Player of the Year, TAAC All-Academic, Second Team All-District, and Academic All-District. She is a member of the National Honor Society and student council, as well as a Stritch ambassador, and she holds numerous other leadership roles.
Ford takes college coursework at BGSU, where she plans to major in inclusive pre-k through fifth grade education.
Ford encourages others to join the Boys & Girls Club in a volunteer effort.
"The opportunities to help are endless, and working with younger children is highly rewarding," she said.
The Youth of the Year is available to any high school senior who has been a team member for over a year with the Boys & Girls Club.
