Celebrating our 40th Year
The Shaker Heights Youth Center has served thousands of Shaker Heights youth
Founded by Ann Landefeld and Fran King in 1970, as the Shaker Heights Drug Council, the organization soon evolved into the Shaker Heights Youth Center as the need to provide a wider range of services became evident. Over the years, the Center has continued to address the changing needs of adolescents and their families.
In 1977, following part time directors, Kay Sasbauer and Ed Carter, the Center hired its first full time director, Joe Rock. With this hire, the Center initiated significant partnerships with the Shaker Heights City Schools and formed the foundation for the agency as it exists today. Joy Willmott and Jack Angelotta, the Center’s second and third full time Directors, continued these partnerships, renewed the agency’s commitment to serving youth and families with chemical dependency issues, and broadened the spectrum of services offered by the Center. John Lisy, Executive Director since 1996, has further expanded the Center’s services by developing extensive academic and prevention programming.
The Shaker Heights Youth Center has received numerous awards in recognition of its service to youth in Shaker Heights.
The Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services (ODADAS) recognized the Youth Center for exhibiting excellence in addressing community needs and demonstrating measurable positive life changes in the youth that are served. Awards were given for the following major programs:
SFY 2005 Award for the Academic Success Aid Program
SFY 2001 Award for the Comprehensive Community Intensive Prevention Program
SFY 2000 Award for the Mentoring Project
In 2004, the Youth Center received two addition awards from the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board of Cuyahoga County (ADAS):
Matthew Dunlap Prevention Service Award
The selection committee cited the high quality of services provided to at risk youth in the Shaker Heights community. This tribute recognizes the skill, compassion and dedication of the Center’s staff. The outstanding community partnerships that have been developed in Shaker Heights were also recognized in the award. The Shaker Heights City Schools work with the Center to provide a seamless system of care for at risk youth. Additionally, the Center works with the City of Shaker Heights where ongoing collaboration with the Shaker Prevention Coalition and the Shaker Heights Police Department’s Juvenile Unit enrich our mutual missions. Finally, Open Doors for Youth and the Shaker Heights Public Library provide joint projects to expand the positive choices for at risk youth.
The Calvin Thomas Community Leadership Award
Presented to Executive Director, John Lisy, for his efforts in promoting policies, funding initiatives and/or legislation which is intended to minimize the harmful impact of substance use, as well as advancing wellness, prevention and recovery for residents of Cuyahoga County.
In 2005, the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors awarded John Lisy the Advocate of the Year Award in recognition of his efforts on the Workforce Development Project and his statewide work on Licensure of Addiction Professionals. Also recognized was the leadership at the Shaker Heights Youth Center which has seen a 350% increase in funding and a 500% increase in services.