Inspiring Conversations with Jennifer Warner of The Legacy Project of Stark

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Warner.

Hi Jennifer, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself. 
My story has been shaped by the people who have taken the time to invest in me along the way. Growing up as a kid in Stark County, I can trace my life trajectory by the positive adults that surrounded me and spoke words of affirmation and challenge when I needed them most. My parents and grandparents played a huge role in making me who I am today. 

When I reached the age where I believed my family knew NOTHING (this is natural, parents. Don’t worry!) I had tennis, softball, lacrosse coaches, a school counselor, parents of my closest friends and other mentors who stepped in to fill the gap. These relationships planted within me a desire to always surround myself with mentors-people who are a little further along and possess something I’m seeking to grow in, whether that be a skill or a character trait. 

I married an amazing man named Ryan in 2014, and mentors continue to play a huge role in our relationship. We consciously seek out the support and wisdom of couples who are a little further along than us and have the type of life that we aspire to have together. 

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve begun to see a world that is less connected despite the countless technological advances we’ve created to connect. We know what we see each other post on social media, but there’s a lot that we just don’t let others in on. Our kids spend more time watching and gaining wisdom from their favorite YouTuber than they do with people who know them and can speak directly to their strengths and weaknesses, and life circumstances. The need for intentional, consistent mentoring relationships is at an all-time high. The surgeon general even issued an advisory calling attention to a public health crisis of loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection! Seeing the effects on the mental health and overall wellness of this on our local students is what keeps me awake at night and is the reason I get up each morning. We have work to do as a community! 

One mentor that has played a huge role in my life is Eugene Lingenhoel, the founder of The Legacy Project of Stark. For more than a decade, Eugene has had a consistent presence in my life, always offering the right amount of grace, advice, and challenge that I need in the moment to take a step forward. I began volunteering as a mentor for local students with the Legacy Project of Stark in 2015 and joined the staff in 2016. In October of 2023, I accepted the position of Executive Director after having the opportunity to learn with and from Eugene for more than eight years. Together, we have seen the Legacy Project of Stark grow to provide crucial mentorship opportunities to more than 850 Stark County students each year alongside a hard-working team of staff and volunteers. 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Nonprofit work is difficult in general because there is no finish line. At the end of the day, there is always more work to do, always more people you can serve, and never enough money or time to do everything. 

COVID was especially difficult for the Legacy Project of Stark as, at the time, we had been operating only as a school-based mentoring program. We found out through a text message that our programs were being shut down for the school year, and there was no guarantee that we’d be allowed back in schools ever again. 

We immediately sought out mentors for advice and strategy. Within 12 weeks we had purchased a building in Massillon, Ohio (the 708) and got to work developing community-based programs so that students still had access to mentorship opportunities. We knew that programs like ours were needed more than ever during that time of uncertainty, fear, and collective trauma. The 708 is currently being renovated so that we can provide even more students and caregivers with opportunities to connect to people, programs, and resources to help them thrive. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business?
The Legacy Project of Stark exists to ensure that every student has access to a mentor. We believe that every student can benefit from positive adult role models who offer support, guidance, and encouragement. Our programs take place inside local school buildings and in the community. Visit lpstark.org to learn more about how to apply to mentor local students or how to donate to the mission! 

What do you like and dislike about the city?
Likes:
Summer Nights at Blossom Music Center, Great Local Businesses (Erie St. Vinyl is a GEM!), the people, and the Awesome Parks and Trails

Contact Info:

• Website: lpstark.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelegacyprojectofstark/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelegacyprojectofstark/