We are about the whole community – individuals, families, churches, city government, civic organizations – coming together to love and serve our neighbors as God calls us.

Learn the Village Project Story

Our History

Village Project, established on September 24, 2010, was modeled after the Ceres Community Project of Sebastopol, California. After receiving a copy of the Ceres Project cookbook Nourishing Connections, Barb Harrell, Village Project Executive Director, learned Ceres’ innovative concept of gathering community to minister to neighbors in health crises, by providing nourishing meals.

After a trip to California to experience the Ceres Project first hand, God laid the possibility of VP on Barb’s heart. Within a few short weeks, the project became a reality as the community of Bay Village stepped forward to engage in this project with gifts of time and resources.

Thanks go to the generosity of Bay Presbyterian Church, who graciously provided the exclusive use of their kitchen and allowed the VP to operate under the umbrella of their 501(c)(3). On February 1, 2011, nutritious meals were prepared and delivered to four families in Bay Village struggling with cancer. Under the supervision of adult volunteer cooks, teens took responsibility for the major portion of meal preparation and packaging. Through this experience local teens learned about nutrition, meal planning, cooking, and service. After only one year of operation, VP more than doubled its client base and was supported by more than 100 volunteers.

As a result of VP’s success, in 2011 Executive Director, Barb Harrell was named one of the Plain Dealer’s “Holiday Heroes” and Bay Village’s “Citizen of the Year”. 2012 brought the Project further recognition as Harrell received Smart Business’ Pillar Award – “Honorable Mention Non-Profit Executive Director”. Bay Village Community Council awarded VP the title “2012 Project of the Year”.

By mid- 2012, VP had proven sustainability and moved beyond a grass roots project operating in the basement of a church. VP leadership began seeking space to support and continue the expansion of services. In September 2013, VP volunteers renovated and moved into a facility offering meeting spaces, an activity area, office space, storage, and a commercial kitchen.

Today

Over 28,000 meals and extended services have been provided to over 285 families living in Avon, Avon Lake, Bay Village, Rocky River, and Westlake, Ohio. In addition to serving nutritious meals, clients also receive extended support such as yard clean up, errand running, holiday baskets, flower bouquets, and more. Volunteers number beyond 600, from the ages of two to 90 years. The benefit of working in a multi-generational volunteer setting has been a tremendous gift to the more than 600 volunteers involved; resulting in appreciation and respect for others gifts, talents, experience, wisdom, and energy.

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Village Project is proud to share our Mission, Vision, and Ideals.

MISSION:

To come together as a community of all ages to provide nourishing meals and extended care and service to our neighbors experiencing cancer.

VISION:

We provide a vehicle to approach the devastating disease of cancer in a positive hopeful manner by utilizing individual gifts and talents in a corporate, multi-generational setting to provide healthful meals, extended support, and an opportunity for all to experience the joy of serving.

IDEALS :

Christian Witnesses – Jesus is our example, we look for creative ways to offer our lives to others; growing more caring, compassionate, and respectful.
Food is core; yet not means to the end – Food is the most basic human need and the way we initially reach out to our neighbors; however, care is extended beyond meals.
Connect Community – Truly connecting is learning to care for one another, taking time to build relationships, sharing ourselves, and our resources to better our community.
Multi-generational – The gifts and unique qualities of multiple generations are not fully utilized and appreciated on their own, yet combining skills and passions results in a release of contagious energy.
Full of Hope – We are confident that in the midst of challenges, a simple conversation, a smile, or a giggle done during an act of service can transform us and bring the healing we all need.
Education – teaching skills that encourage service to others and foster healthy living.

Meet Our Executive Director: Barb Harrell

Awards:

2008 Bay High School Spirit Award

Pillar Awards, Honorable Mention, Executive Director of Non-Profit

Plain Dealer – Holiday Hero, 2011

Bay Village Citizen of The Year, 2012

Village Project – Bay Village Project of the Year 2013

Hillsdale College – Alumni Spotlight – June 2014

Organizations:

Friends from the Start

Stephen Minister

Bay Village Community Council

Bay Village Mentor

Rocky River Chamber of Commerce

Westside Female Executive Director

Barb has an entrepreneur spirit with a passion to connect individuals of all ages and abilities to make a positive impact in the community.

A 1983 graduate of Hillsdale College, Barb has a degree in Business and English Literature. She received her formal training as a National Sales Manager with Proctor & Gamble. She resigned from Proctor & Gamble after the birth of her first son in 1988. Until her children were of school age, she immersed herself in volunteer and community activities as a stay at home mom.

Barb has spent the last 17 years in the non-profit sector. Prior to serving as VP’s Executive Director, she worked 14 years on the staff of Bay Presbyterian Church as Human Resource Director and more recently Director of Community Connections. While on staff at Bay Pres., Barb continued her involvement in the community as a member of PTA, Junior Women’s Club, and Bay Rockets Booster Club. She chaired the fundraising efforts to bring turf and renovation to the Bay High School football field in 2008 by raising over $1 million dollars and earning The Bay High Spirit Award for outstanding contribution to Bay High School.

In September 2010, Barb founded The Village Food Project. During the second year of operation, Barb learned first hand how it felt to be a Village Project client when her husband, Jeff, was diagnosed with a watermelon sized cancerous tumor in his kidney. While no two cancer experiences are the same, Barb was even more equipped to understand and meet the needs of her clients. Jeff Harrell is two years cancer free and a great spokesman for Village Project.

Barb credits the success of her leadership to her Board of Directors, volunteers, family, friends, the community and most importantly Jesus Christ who called her to begin this project. God led Barb to found Village Project on the scripture, Romans 12.

In her spare time, Barb enjoys biking, reading, and spending time with her family: husband, Jeff, sons, Josh and Brian, and family dog and Village Project mascot, Ernie.