Existing Medina business offers Youth Outreach Services at Local Cafe. Tim Van Arsdale has created a place in Medina, which opened its doors in November 2007, where young people facing a dark time in their lives can pause to catch their breath and hang with their friends over a soft drink and a sandwich. Cups Café is a nonprofit community café at 126 N. Court Street, that doesn’t need a cash register because everything on the menu is free.
Faith has always been a big part of Van Arsdale’s life. He spent five years with Youth for Christ in Medina helping at-risk kids and partnering with other local nonprofits and he felt like he was making a difference. But he also felt like God wanted him to go in a new direction and do something even more impactful.
We are encouraged by our community partnerships with Let's Make a Difference -- after school programs, STEM -- OSU Extension Office' s vocational programs for youth, and Medina Sunrise Rotary -- youth literacy and Life Skills Training programs.
“When a student comes in and sits down and says, ‘Tim, the Café literally saved my life,’” says Van Arsdale, the Café’s founder and executive director. “That’s when you’re like, ‘OK, this is a success. We’re having an impact. We're giving hope.’
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Medina Sunrise Rotary is a caring, busy and fun community service club. Partnering with Medina County District Library, The Children's Center, Feeding Medina County, Medina Creative Housing, Empower Sports, Let's Make a Difference, BSA and many other community and youth-focused organizations which meets each 7:15 am on Tuesday mornings at Pride One.
You can make a difference in the lives of children in our community and beyond. Do not hesitate to contact us, ask any question or make suggestions as we move forward with another year of adventure and "Service Above Self". www.medinasunriserotary.com
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PHOTO (L to R):
Ed Jakubick, Wayne Nieman, Kevin Lauterjung, Kerry Gregoire, Tim Van Arsdale, Shail Jain
