Staff Interview: Cheryl Mason
Cheryl Mason has been giving back to the Medina County community for over 30 years and has been with Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates (JOG) since retiring from Job and Family Services (JFS) in 2019. She started her career by taking the civil service exam and from there diving into her career at JFS.
During her tenure with Job and Family Services, she interacted with the JOG program through a mutual contract while also working with Pamela Crombie, Program Manager at JOG. When at her retirement party, Pamela asked Cheryl if she would like to step in for a vacancy at JOG in Medina County. During our interview Cheryl joked that she was “retired for only about a week before starting a new adventure with JOG.” She continued, “I like that I am still helping the people of Medina.”
Her role with Medina County JOG as Team Lead has her working both with students directly as well as acting as a rock for Career Specialists. For example, she recently drove a student to help them get a social security card. She stepped in and helped chase down documents to make sure the student had what they needed to get their card. Cheryl expressed, “It’s all about leading by example. I am here if anyone needs anything. Technically I am a supervisor, but I don’t feel like it. I feel like I am working with them; we are a great team.”
Working in the same area has been rewarding for Cheryl. As she said, “After 30 years working in Medina at JFS and JOG, I still run into old clients on the street who ask me for advice, and I am happy to give it to them,” she shared with a laugh. She has even been able to work with the children of former clients. Cheryl explained, “Sometimes I get kids who have come up to me and said that their mom is so-and-so.” She said that some parents come in and reminisce while others have been mentioned in name only, but, either way, it is nice to hear how families she has worked with are doing.
The world needs more Cheryls in it, and we are lucky to have her here at Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates. Her helping hand has touched many lives at both Job and Family Services, as well as at JOG. People with passion and work ethic like hers is what makes staff at JOG so special.
