How Ohio Reach Liaisons Empower Students
By Averey Roof, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Ohio Children’s Alliance
Across Ohio, students with foster and kinship care experience are working toward their educational goals with remarkable determination, and Ohio Reach liaisons are walking alongside them. At UC Blue Ash, Laurie Malone offers encouragement and guidance that helps students feel seen and supported. At Clark State, Joy Haviland provides the same steady support, inspiring confidence and hope for the future. As liaisons, they empower students to believe in what comes next.
Laurie works closely with students who are juggling school, work, and family responsibilities. When challenges arise, most often related to transportation, she focuses on finding solutions that help them stay engaged and on track. She explained that for some students, transportation can affect everything from attending class to completing daily tasks. Removing barriers is why she does this work. “I really enjoy supporting people and getting them to where they want to be,” she shared, reflecting her belief that foster care-connected students deserve the same opportunities and sense of belonging as their peers.
Joy approaches each student with a focus on their potential and the path they are building for themselves. She encourages students to trust their abilities and take pride in the direction they are heading. “You’re so young. You have so much potential. Let’s get you where you need to go,” she reassures them. She also reminds students that success looks different for everyone, and that growth comes from taking steady steps forward. For Joy, supporting students means seeing them as the person they want to become and helping them feel confident in their goals.
Across all campuses, this work is shaped by attentiveness and consistency. Laurie and Joy take time to listen, respond thoughtfully, and adjust their support to each student’s needs. By approaching each interaction with care and intention, liaisons help students feel valued and equipped to pursue their aspirations.
Just like Laurie and Joy, the work of liaisons across the state embodies the heart of Ohio Reach’s mission, ensuring that students feel supported and connected as they pursue their goals. Foster care-connected students carry tremendous resilience, and liaisons like Laurie and Joy help ensure that strength is recognized and nurtured every step of the way.
