Difference Makers virtual gala honors inspirational leaders in Lorain County

For the second year in a row, Leadership Lorain County's Difference Makers Gala and Excellence in Leadership Awards Ceremony went virtual to honor local leaders making a difference in the community. This year's honorees were Wendy Caldwell, Ann Schloss, Parris Smith, Jon Veard and the Lorain County Urban League. Caldwell received an Excellence in Leadership Award for her work as CEO of A Place to Recover, and as a former corrections officer. P2R connects individuals reentering society with resources. Caldwell credited her mother with instilling the spirit of community activism in her, she said. Caldwell is a licensed chemical dependency counselor and qualified substance abuse professional, and has provided workshops for women in transitional housing at the Elyria YWCA and later with the WE3 collaborative. From 2010 to 2016, Caldwell co-owned Professional Integrity Consulting and Training, which conducted intervention services for first time intoxicated driving offenders. Less than six months into retirement, she was chosen by the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services Board of Lorain County to be the project coordinator for a workforce development grant that addressed employment barriers for those in recovery and reentry. In 2019, Caldwell spearheaded Lorain County's First Restored Citizens Summit. In her acceptance speech, she implored Lorain County residents to love each other and keep a positive attitude and live life to the fullest. "Make sure you tell your loved ones that you love them and try to be as positive as you possibly can because we're leaving here quickly," she said. Schloss, Elyria Schools superintendent, received her award not only for her work as superintendent, but for her impact with decades of experience at Elyria Schools. Schloss started as a teacher and then served as director of academic services and assistant superintendent. She took over the district in 2019 — and less than a year later had to lead the district through the COVID-19 shutdown and ongoing pandemic. At its height, Schloss prioritized meeting the critical needs of Elyria's students and their families, and se helped deliver more than 2 million meals to families in need. Schloss said when she's recognized with awards during a long career, it is a moment to step back and reflect on life goals, achievements and the future. The idea of helping others is what drew her to education, she said, and it has been rewarding to help develop individuals into important community members. While the past few years have put educators to the test, Schloss said her district's work has been successful in meeting the needs of its students — and she hopes to continue to do so and never lose sight of how important it is to give back. Parris Smith, president and CEO of the Lorain County Urban League, received the Emerald Award for Inspirational Leadership. Her work started as a student in the Urban League's rising star program, then as program manager and operations manager before her promotion to president in 2020. She said receiving the award confirmed her decision not to conform and to remain a reflection of the community the Urban League serves as a young Black woman with natural hair. She noted the group, and others like it, must continue to empower the County's youth and give them opportunities to become the next generation of leaders. Veard was recognized with the Eric Nord Award for Excellence in Leadership for his decades as president of United Property Management Company and his work to revitalize Lorain. United Property Management Co. formed in November 1970 and in its first decade of operation took over 68 struggling properties. It now owns and manages 78 rental complexes in 42 cities in nine states and has received funding and awards from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development program. He said he has a knack for spaces that need a second chance – like the Antlers Hotel he rehabbed 35 years ago, or the Duane Building on Broadway. Winning the award was overwhelming, he said, as he never dreamed his work would be recognized to the extent it has been. The Lorain County Urban League was awarded a separate Excellence in Leadership Award for its work to empower African Americans and underserved communities in Lorain County. Founded in 1978, LCUL has provided a beacon of hope and been a catalyst for change, Mark Ballard II said. Its programs include road to success college tours and internship programs for youth in Lorain and Elyria; financial empowerment, voter engagement, and first-time homebuyer programs for families in the county. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.