Ohio First Lady Fran Dewine Visits Cleveland Public Library Collinwood Branch
On Thursday, June 27th, Ohio’s First Lady, Fran DeWine visited the Collinwood Branch of Cleveland Public Library (CPL) as part of a visit to Cleveland to tour the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and the library. Mrs. DeWine shared lunch with neighborhood children as part of the free summer feeding lunch program sponsored in partnership the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. An advocate for healthy eating, Mrs. DeWine wanted to know what foods the kids liked and the ones they did not prefer. In addition, she passed out bags of fresh fruits for the children to take home The First Lady of Ohio took pictures with the children and mingled with guest including CPL Executive Director & CEO, Felton Thomas. Jr.; CPL Board of Trustees members Maritza Rodriguez, Thomas D. Corrigan, and John M. Hairston, Jr.; Councilman Michael Polensek; Jessica Morgan, VP of Agency Programs and Services and Diana Davet, Director of Programs of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. Collinwood Branch Manager Caroline J Peak, gave a brief tour of the branch to talk about services provided to the community with a concentration on the literacy initiatives featuring “Making a Literacy Connection” via the branch Literacy Corner and Literacy Monday activities.
Caroline Peak
Caroline J. Peak, known as “Ms. Peak” to many, is a resident of the Collinwood Community for 30 plus years serving as a committed community leader, engager, and volunteer. Ms. Peak is very passionate about improving the quality of life for citizens by giving back to her community. Ms. Peak serves as the Public Service Manager of the Collinwood Branch of Cleveland Public Library and is a Certified Librarian having earned a Master’s Degree from Kent State University. Ms. Peak also served as a True2U Mentor for 8th graders at Memorial School among her activities and engagement in neighborhood block associations, advisory committees, and civic engagement. She has participated in leadership programs, Neighborhood Leadership Institute and Neighborhood Leader Institute and Management Certification at Cleveland Public Library to support her service as an Executive Committee member of CHN Housing Partners, organizations that are devoted to the mission of improving the quality of life in neighborhoods. She was recently selected to serve on the Bond Accountability Commission as Secretary of the Cleveland Municipal School District and a member of the Health Impact Committee for United Way and a steering member of HIP--Cuyahoga --Health Improvement Partnership to help build healthy communities. She is the 2018 recipient of Resident of the Year for Ward 8-District 5 for the City of Cleveland.