In The News

Sixth grader Kate Ihring (middle) and Dianne DePasquale-Hagerty of Medina Creative Housing (left) pose with a check as part of the annual Macy Hallock Essay Contest on Thursday. 

By Chris Studor Z’s Cream and Bean owners donate business to Medina Creative Housing | Scriptype View the full October 2023 Hinckley Record | Scriptype With a snip of the scissors, Hinckley’s Z’s Cream and Bean has officially become the newest business to be operated by Medina Creative Housing. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held the afternoon of Aug. 16 with both future employees and a list of local dignitaries expressing their overwhelming appreciation to Larry and Mary Ann Zirker, founders of Z’s, who turned over the business to the nonprofit group in March. The new name of the popular ice cream store, located on the corner of West 130 th and Boston, is Z’s Cream and Bean, Creatively Made & Operated. “The Zirkers did not do this for publicity but we want the community to know of their great act of kindness and benevolence,” said Dian DePasquale-Hagerty, CEO of MCH. “The Zirkers studied what MCH is all about for three years and then made the decision to give the business to our nonprofit. The plaque we are giving them is hardly enough to thank them. The ribbon cutting represents a re-opening of a favorite local ice cream shop.” Hagerty also held up baseball caps embroidered with little gummy bears acknowledging the practice of Larry Zirker who enjoyed passing out little cups of gummy bears to all the children visiting the store. Larry, Mary Ann and their daughter, Loralie DePiero, owned and operated Z’s, known for its high-quality, hand-churned ice cream with a constantly changing menu of delicious and creative flavors, for the past 13 years. MCH opened its doors 31 years ago and now operates 18 different programs countywide, Hagerty said. Among these programs are innovative housing and a variety of services and supports for individuals with disabilities. Those served by MCH housing enjoy living independently, holding meaningful jobs while earning incomes, having access to recreational and therapeutic programs and being truly integrated into the community. MCH provides jobs for the disabled, operating Medina Creative Pet Play, Grande Café Roaster, Creative Living Coffee and now Z’s Bean and Cream Creatively Made & Operated. Ed Stevens, vice president of Medina MCH, was among speakers. Stevens has a disabled son and said MCH “Provides everything I want as a parent of a disabled child.” “My son works in a nursing home and works in a rehabilitation center and I feel he could work here as well,” he said. “It can be very difficult for the disabled to find employment. In these settings, MCH provides coaches, and mentors. Having a disabled person working side-by-side with typical peers makes disabled people feel accepted and a part of the community and does a great deal for their self esteem. I am so thankful to the Zirkers for their heartfelt gift.” Local officials were on hand to offer a warm welcome. Hinckley Trustee Jack Swedyk said he “couldn’t think a better organization to take the reins.” “It is wonderful to receive such a tremendous gift,” said Trustee Monique Ascherl. “In Hinckley we take care of our own and I think this is a great fit.” Adding to the list of dignitaries was Medina County Commissioner Colleen Swedyk and Ohio Rep. Sharon Ray. Several disabled young adults taking part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony have their eye on a future job at the new Z’s Cream & Bean Creatively Made and Operated. Among them is Dylan Goodman, who currently works at the Grande Café and Roastery. “I’d love to work here if I get the chance and enjoyed being a part of the ribbon cutting,” Goodman said. Kelly Foote, who also works at the Grande Café, added; she likes “the idea of serving ice cream and will probably work here someday.” Following the ribbon-cutting, Hagerty invited guests inside for hot dogs and, of course, ice cream. “We are on a new journey and this gift provides the disabled a new life and opportunity,” she said.

A groundbreaking Sept. 13 of Medina Creative Housing’s Creative Living for Life at Ursuline Sisters development in Pepper Pike.

Bob Sandrick - The Gazette PEPPER PIKE — About 200 people attended a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday evening for 25 new Medina Creative Housing town houses on the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland campus. Attendees included Pepper Pike Mayor Richard Bain, veteran journalist Geraldo Rivera and future residents of the town houses. “I can’t wait to live on my own and be with all my friends,” Jared Stearns, a future town house resident, told the crowd. Medina Creative Housing, which provides housing, vocational training, services and support for those with disabilities so they can live as independently as possible, is partnering with the Ursuline Sisters on the town houses. It’s been an 11-year process. “I see all of our families here, with their children, and it is very emotional for me,” said Diane DePasquale-Hagerty, CEO of Medina Creative Housing. DePasquale-Hagerty said Medina Creative Housing clients are scheduled to move into the new town houses in September 2024. The 3-acre site is next to Ursuline College. “We have a chance to make a real connection between the college and the special needs community,” said Ed Stevens, vice president of the Medina Creative Housing board of trustees. “That is really touching to me.” Jared Stearns’ mother, Trudy Stearns, said she was happy that her son will have a safe, supportive place to live. “The opportunity for growth, friendship and so much more are all possible in this community,” Trudy Stearns said. Families of the residents will pay for the single-floor town houses, some with one bedroom, others with two. However, the sisters have agreed to pay for two of the homes. Also, Medina Creative Housing is raising money for a community center for the residents. The Ursuline Sisters consider the project part of their mission, which according to their website is “transforming society through contemplation, justice and compassion.” “Parents of potential residents have told us how important this project is to them, so they can have the peace of mind that comes with knowing their loved ones will have a permanent place to live when their families are no longer able to care for them,” the Ursuline Sisters website says. “And there simply is not enough housing available for this population,” the website says. “We believe strongly that providing housing for individuals with disabilities is a social justice issue — that they, like everyone else, deserve an opportunity to live in a safe neighborhood, where they can live as independently as possible.” Members of the Ursuline Sisters have experience working with special needs people and have expressed a desire to help residents living on their campus, the website says. “The sisters will not make any money on this project,” the website says. Contact Bob Sandrick at areanews@medina-gazette.com .

The future residents of Pepper Pike's Creative Living for Life at Ursuline Sisters housing development did the honors Wednesday of ceremoniously breaking ground for their homes. In all, 24 homes will be built on Ursuline Sisters property for adults who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. (Jeff Piorkowski, special to cleveland.com)

Cutting the ribbon for the official reopening of Z's Cream & Bean are, from left, Kelly Foote, Ashley Figish, Aaron Walters, Ed Stevens, JP Vandendriesse and Dylan Goodman. (Sam Boyer, special to cleveland.com) 

By Steven Hernandez Published: Aug. 23, 2023 To View Cleveland 19 News Video Report, CLICK HERE . HINCKLEY, Ohio (WOIO) - Z’s Cream & Bean hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday to mark its shift in operations to Medina Creative Housing. “What we’re celebrating today is a first for me and is a first for our organization,” said CEO Dianne DePasquale-Hagerty. The ice cream shop was originally run by Larry and Mary Ann Zirker for over a decade. When it came time to search for a successor, they found Creative Housing. Medina Creative Housing provides a wide palette of services to those with disabilities, including housing and work opportunities. After years of research, the Zirkers passed their business operations to the nonprofit. “They thought that we were worthy, and to receive that gift was a precious moment,” said MCH vice president Ed Stevens. Among those present at the ceremony were those who participated in Creative Housings’ services, such as Dylan Goodman and Kelly Foote, who work at a coffee shop as part of the program. “I’m so excited to be here, I’m going to cry happy tears,” said Foote. “It’s an honor, it’s heartwarming. I’m very happy to be a part of this community,” Goodman added. While members of Creative Housing are excited at the possibility of working at the ice cream shop in the future, the new owners remain eternally grateful at the Zirkers’ act of kindness. “I have a chill running up my spine because of this moment,” Stevens said. Copyright 2023 WOIO. All rights reserved.

Bob Sandrick The Gazette Aug 23, 2023 HINCKLEY TWP. — Larry and Mary Ann Zirker, founders of Z’s Cream & Bean homemade ice cream parlor on Boston Road, watched and studied Medina Creative Housing closely for more than three years. During that time, the Zirkers grew to admire the nonprofit, which provides housing, vocational training, services and support for those with disabilities so they can live as independently as possible. The Zirkers were so impressed that when it came time to leave the business they had launched 13 years ago, they decided to donate Z’s to Medina Creative Housing. They wanted nothing in return. “What an incredible blessing. What an incredible act of benevolence for our organization,” said Diane DePasquale-Hagerty, CEO of Medina Creative Housing. DePasquale-Hagerty was speaking Wednesday during a grand reopening and ribbon-cutting ceremony at Z’s, which has been renamed Z’s Cream & Bean Creatively Made & Operated. The business is at 2706 Boston Road, near the corner of West 130th Street. Also speaking at the ceremony were Ed Stevens, vice president of the Medina Creative Housing Board of Trustees; Ohio Rep. Sharon Ray, R-66; Jack Swedyk and Monique Ascherl, chair and vice chair, respectively, of the Hinckley Township Broad of Trustees; and Medina County Commissioner Colleen Swedyk. Stevens said it’s difficult for special-needs people to find employment and job training. Medina Creative Housing has done so over the years through outreaches like Medina Creative Produce, Medina Creative Property Maintenance and the Grand Café & Roastery. “We can’t do it without the support of our community and the support of people who can make a difference, like the Zirkers,” Stevens said. Ascherl said she couldn’t think of a better business to establish a presence in Hinckley than Medina Creative Housing. “I really think that this is a great fit,” Ascherl said. The Zirkers did not attend the ribbon cutting/grand opening due to their age and health issues. “They have made it known from the very beginning of our relationship that they were not looking for publicity,” DePasquale-Hagerty said. “This was an act of kindness.” According to the Z’s Cream & Bean website, the ice cream parlor has been making fresh, homemade, hand-churned ice cream with locally harvested ingredients since it opened in 2010. “We are committed to maintain the high standards that the Zirkers have established and customers expect,” DePasquale-Hagerty told the Medina Gazette prior to Wednesday’s ceremony. Now, Z’s will also provide jobs for those with disabilities. “As a vocational training and employment site for individuals with disabilities, our store provides the next steppingstone for individuals with disabilities into community employment with supports, job coaching and individual goal-setting,” the Z’s website says. Medina Creative Housing actually took over the Z’s operation in March. “We have been under the tutelage of the (Zirker) family for the past five months, learning the intricacies of ice cream making,” DePasquale-Hagerty said. Contact Bob Sandrick at areanews@medina-gazette.com .

Bob Sandrick - The Gazette