ORWELL – For 22 years, the children at Grand Valley Local Schools have known Kim Valenti, a volunteer who’s spent two or three days a week at The Conversation Station, where they could go after school for a safe place to play, socialize and even get a little help with homework.
On Thursday, June 18, Valenti walked into a regular board meeting to find out she’d received a ServeOhio Award, an annual honor for up to 10 individuals or volunteer groups who are presented with a trophy, a letter of appreciation and a $1,000 cash donation directed to the nonprofit organization benefiting from their service.
Valenti has served on The Conversation Station Board of Directors for 16 years and been an active volunteer for 22 years, spending Friday afternoons at the nonprofit and heading up a monthly Bible study group.
The retired SCAD paramedic also runs all The Conversation Station’s fundraisers, notably its basket raffle, the group’s biggest annual fundraiser, for the past 14 years. She also represents the nonprofit at the Grand Valley Chamber of Commerce.
The Conversation Station sits just off the intersection of Maple and Main streets and offers a dedicated safe space for Grand Valley students.
Operating for over 25 years under founders Gary and Pat Hunter, it provides a supportive environment where children can play games, complete crafts, receive daily snacks and interact with adult mentors.
“It’s a place of support for the kids,” Valenti said. “We have a lot of kids that just don’t fit in. When they come here, they can just be themselves.”
Valenti said her objective is to have a positive effect for the children who frequent The Conversation Station, many of whom she said come from troubled and single-parent homes.
“It’s a haven,” she said.
The Valentis and the Hunters have known each other for over 40 years – their children grew up together. So, it was a natural fit for Kim to volunteer at The Conversation Station. But what’s kept her coming back is the difference she says she’s seen her time and effort make for the children.
“Impacting the kids – making a difference and impacting the kids,” she said.
Valenti gave an example from about a month ago, when she overheard two boys who confided in one another regarding their mothers’ struggles with mental health and self-harm.
“Every couple of years we say, ‘Maybe we’re done here,’ and then you have a situation like that,” she said.
The ServeOhio Award is an annual honor presented by the Ohio Commission on Service and Volunteerism to recognize up to 10 outstanding individuals, groups and initiatives that strengthen local communities through volunteer service.
