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Assets Toledo 55th Class Holds Graduation
Ceremony
By Tricia Hall
Sojourner’s Truth Reporter
Assets Toledo has served the Toledo area for years and last
week added 22 new graduates to their history of success. The
August 10, 2018 ceremony was held at Toledo Mennonite Church
on Nebraska, and the church sanctuary was filled with family
and friends of the graduates.
“These aren’t just students, but my family. You made my
life, over the past 12-weeks, beyond exciting. Each of you
showed so much excitement and now here you are, in front of
your families with your head held high. You are now entering
into another world, and I’m excited to see what’s next for
each of you,” said Assets Toledo Executive Director Oliva
Holden.
The program began with a social and fellowship hour before
the graduation ceremony. Holden opened the ceremony with
welcoming remarks, followed by reflections and remarks from
the graduates, and the featured keynote speaker Toledo Mayor
Wade Kapszukiewicz.
The mayor’s speech focused on how Toledo has impacted
different historical events, including World War II and
astronauts going into space. “Toledo has done a lot of
wonderful things over the years and we are our worse
critics. We built the Jeeps that helped to win World War II.
We’re never afraid of hard work. None of us know what the
future holds, but whatever happens it will be of our own
doing,” explained Kapszukiewicz. |
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Mayor Kapszukiewicz and Olivia Holden
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LaRhonda Walker, Assets graduate |
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The mission of Assets Toledo is to assist self-motivated
individuals in northwest Ohio who have a personal vision for
self-employment and small business initiatives, but limited
resources, by providing hands-on-training, peer networking,
and support network and capital.
“My nonprofit’s main mission is to focus on veterans. There
are too many homeless veterans. They serve and give their
time, so something has to be done, and someone needs to
speak up and advocate for them,” explained LaRhonda Walker,
Assets graduate.
The 55th graduation class: Tonica Ross-Benton,
Jean Billops, Ericka Bonds, Dalon Clark Sr, Jabria Easter,
TiaTianua Fuller, Christian Hair, Marcel Hampton, Darnisha
Harris, Travis Ingram, Jordan Jones, Debra Murphy, Anisa
Odoms, Derek Reece Sr, Tyrell Schuler, Valerie Secord,
Ayanna Sims, Jennifer Smith, Nancy Smith, Shamika Taylor,
Kimberly Temple and LaRhonda Walker.
Assets Toledo sent special thanks to the following
contributors to the program: The Andersons’ Foundation, Dan
Sauder of Sauder Woodworking, Key Bank Foundation, Rupp
Seeds Inc, Steve Elzinga, James Brien, Judith A Godsell,
Kimberly Friesen for Kevin Friesen, Bob Aschliman, Edward
and Carol Nofziger, Kevin and Sandra Sauder, Maynard Sauder,
Kenneth Fallows, Dale and Geneva Wyse, Edward L. and Mildred
L. Roth Family Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Elvin Yoder, Mr. and
Mrs. Brent Ringenberg, Alta Grieser, Marjorie Grieser, Fifth
Third Bank, Frank and Cara Ulrich for Fern Schrock, Doug and
Patricia Schmucker, Frank Ulrich, Kevin Friesen and Toledo
Mennonite Church. |
