Painesville/Mentor Rotary Clubs

In March 2011, the Lake County Juvenile Court computer lab became fully equipped because of a donation from the Mentor and Painesville Rotary clubs and the Rotary Foundation. Adam Sanden of Brunner Funeral Home in Mentor spearheaded an effort to raise funds so the computer lab could meet the needs of all of the children getting their education through Juvenile Court. Mentor and Painesville Rotarians put together some of the funds through their local clubs, and then convinced the Rotary Foundation to offer a matching grant. The computer lab originally was set up to allow juveniles to take advantage of online educational opportunities offered by many local school districts, and because an increasing number of students are attending school entirely online. The lab serves both the detention center and the court's alternative school. Software has been installed on the computers to make sure they are only used to do school work, and juveniles are supervised at all times by either detention center or educational services staff.

Willoughby Elks

In June 2012, the Willoughby Elks donated a fully stocked brochure holder containing drug and alcohol awareness literature. In August 2012, Mike Felice and John Grubb from the Willoughby Elks presented Judge Lawson with a donation to the Court's Achievement Program. The funds were used to purchase sobriety workbooks for the children in the program.

Western Reserve Junior Service League

The W.R.J.S.L. assists the Lake County Juvenile Court's New Voices program, which focuses on building the self-esteem of young girls. The program has four themes: self, connecting with others, healthy living and the journey ahead. Women from W.R.J.S.L. are guest presenters during the program's first seven weeks and prepare a graduation meal during the program's final week.

Dworken & Bernstein

Dworken & Bernstein Co., a law firm based in Painesville, donated $50,000 to the Lake County Juvenile Court to help New Voices, a self-esteem program for adolescent girls. The money, which came from a cy pres settlement, should be able to support the program through 2018. Cy pres funds come from money that is unclaimed following class action lawsuit settlements and can be given to charitable organizations. The New Voices program was previously funded by a state grant, but the donation will open up new opportunities to help those in need.

Fredon Corporation

Fredon Corporation has partnered with the Juvenile Court to offer the "Cannons of Fredon", an innovative apprenticeship and training program for local high-school and vocational-school students. Recognizing the recent lack of qualified skilled machinists, and the rapid disappearance of manufacturing from American cities, the company sought to reach out to schools and students. By educating them about the high-tech nature of modern machining and metalworking, Fredon hopes to re-affirm the viability of careers in American manufacturing. Fredon has accepted several children who are court involved into their program after the children were directly referred to them by the Court.

Lake Erie College

Founded in 1856, Lake Erie College is a private, dynamic and progressive institution of higher education offering 37 undergraduate majors, and masters' degrees in business administration and education. This co-educational institution, grounded in the liberal arts, enrolls approximately 1,200 students of all ages and is nationally recognized for its equine studies program and international learning opportunities. The College hosts the graduation ceremony for the New Voices program at its Mathews House and has hosted joint seminars with the Court on topics such as mediation and proper risk-assessment training.

Chrysalis Adventure

In August 2012 this equine guided therapeutic program offered the management team from Lake County Juvenile Court the opportunity to experience their program through a work in-service. In 2013 the Court is partnering with the Chrysalis Adventure to bring the girls from the New Voices program to be a part of the experience as well.

OSU Extension Master Gardeners

The detention center garden - created in 2009 with volunteers from the Lake County Master Gardener Program and the Ohio State Extension - was one of 25 gardens selected from across the country to be recognized nationally. The Lake County Juvenile Detention Center Garden received the 2010 Mantis Award from the National Gardening Association. In cooperation with the OSU Extension Master Gardeners juveniles in the detention center learn the value of hard work and dedication.

Lake County YMCA

The Work Detail Program began in January 2011 with the help of the Lake County YMCA in Painesville. The restitution program provides an opportunity for juveniles to work so they can pay off their debts to their victims. Debby Speck, branch director at YMCA, and Judge Lawson came up with the idea while attending a luncheon at the Painesville Rotary. Judge Lawson was looking for community service opportunities for her juvenile offenders. The youths, ages 15 and younger, clean the machines, do laundry and help set up programs during their six-hour shift on Saturdays. They earn minimum wage for the hours they work, but receive no money as it goes directly to their victims.

Crossroads and the Lake County A.D.A.M.H.S. Board

The Intensive Community Rehabilitation Unit opened July 2, 2012 at the Juvenile Detention Center. The Lake County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board allocated money to Crossroads for the behavioral health services of the program. Crossroads in turn provides the Court with a full-time treatment specialist who helps court staff teach children behavior modification. Counseling addresses problems such as anger management, drug and alcohol education and handling difficult feelings.

Partners with Paws

Partners with Paws is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to fostering positive academic, social, emotional, and physical development in at-risk and special needs youth. Promoting the benefits of the human-animal connection through professionally designed animal assisted education programs. This service based on the care and training of therapy dogs has lent their time and animals to the New Voices program.