Fort Recovery Senior Plans Youth Community Center Serving Mercer and Auglaize Counties

Click to Listen

FORT RECOVERY — A Fort Recovery High School senior who created a local youth support program is now working toward opening a community center for children throughout Mercer and Auglaize counties.

Taylor Schoonover discussed the Mercer County Support Squad and her plans for the Open Door Community Center during an appearance on WCSM Radio’s Spectrum program.

Schoonover started the Support Squad to help children who struggle at home or school or simply need someone they can trust. The program serves children in second through seventh grades and has grown from seven participants to 18.

“My main goal is to give kids a safe place to make friends and build the confidence that these kids need, and just that feeling that they belong,” Schoonover said.

The group addresses bullying, kindness, friendships and making good choices. Participants also take part in outings, activities and community service projects. Previous projects have included creating a kindness rock garden at Eastview Park and making cards for nursing home residents.

The Support Squad is now making tie blankets for children experiencing traumatic situations or serious illnesses. The group is selling World’s Finest Chocolate to help pay for the blankets and future activities.

Schoonover said her own experience with bullying inspired her to establish the program.

“I wanted to take something that I went through and turn it into something positive for other kids,” she said.

Schoonover plans to expand the Support Squad into Auglaize County in September 2027. Her larger goal is to open the Open Door Community Center by 2031, following her graduation from college.

The proposed center would serve students in first through 12th grades and provide a central location for programs, activities and support. Schoonover envisions rooms dedicated to life skills, homework and tutoring, art, meetings, recreation and sensory needs.

The life skills program would teach cooking, cleaning, laundry, organization and money management. The center would also offer study areas, an art gallery displaying children’s work, games and a quiet room with calming lights, comfortable seating and sensory equipment.

Schoonover hopes to raise $500,000 to purchase and renovate a building. The project has already reached its first $10,000 milestone through fundraisers and support from family members, community members and local businesses.

An Open Door Community Center fund has been established through the Mercer County Civic Foundation to accept donations for the project.

Schoonover recently received acceptance to The Ohio State University at Lima, where she plans to study social work while remaining close to home and continuing the Support Squad.

“At the end of the day, it’s not about how big Support Squad becomes or how big the community center becomes,” Schoonover said. “It’s about making the difference in the kids’ lives.”