https://soundcloud.com/cara-daily-1/wonderfully-made-october-20th-2015-michael-rush
GUEST FOR TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20TH AT 7:30PM – MICHAEL RUSH FROM OPTION FOR FAMILIES AND YOUTH
Michael was born and raised in a Cleveland Westside suburb; He graduated from Padua High School in 1969; Cleveland State University in 1973 with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Psychology; and Case Western Reserve School of Social Sciences (now the Mandel School of Social Sciences) with a Master of Science in Social Administration in 1980. He is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with a Supervisor designation (LISW-S).
Michael began his vocational career at St. Anthony’s Home For Boys and Young Men in October, 1973 and has worked in the private sector field of Human Services ever since (42 years). He has been a child care worker, supervisor, counselor, family therapist, social service director, residential treatment program director, foster care director, adoption assessor, and for the last 26 years, the Executive Director of an agency he co-founded with his wife, Debbie, in 1989…Options for Families and Youth (OFY). The website is: www.ofycares.org.
OFY is a non-profit, social service organization providing specialized foster care and adoption services to the abused and neglected children of Cuyahoga County; offers private domestic adoption services; is a Hague-accredited agency completing home studies and post adoption reports; and has a developing behavioral health program serving the Medicaid population.
Michael has been married to his high school sweetheart, Debbie, for 43 years and they have three adult daughters (who attended Malone University and Bluffton University) and seven grandchildren ranging in age from 7 to 17 years old.
Michael has been a member of Grace Christian and Missionary Alliance Church (Middleburg Heights) for over 40 years and has been a member of their Elder Board for more than 20 years. He has participated in short-term missions trips to: Ecuador, South America (twice); Dominican Republic; Juarez, Mexico; Waveland, Mississippi (for Hurricane Katrina relief); Pine Ridge Indian Reservation (Oglala, South Dakota); and Chang Mai, Thailand.
Michael is currently involved in developing orphan care initiatives in Uganda, East Africa. He has made five (5) previous visits to that country in February and November of 2013; March and August of 2014; and March, 2015. He has visited areas around Kampala, Jinja, Mityana, Mukono and Bombo. Michael has visited over three dozen orphanages and ministries on his trips and continues to solidify and develop trusting relationships. He is particularly interested in investigating foster care and adoption of Ugandan children by Ugandan parents and working on raising money to fund specific projects that serve Ugandan children and families. Mike also hopes to lead a short term missions team from his church sometime in the fall of 2016.
Michael loves to read, work in his yard, watch baseball and spend time with his wife, daughters and grandchildren.
Michael’s contact information is:
Michael D. Rush, LISW-S
Options for Families and Youth
5131 West 140th Street
Brook Park, Ohio, USA 44142
216-267-7070 (Office)
216-392-5460 (mobile – U.S.)
0783 581 455 (mobile- in Uganda)
Email: mrush@ofycares.org
Website: www.ofycares.org