About Crawford Connects
Crawford Connects exists to make it easier for people in Crawford County to show up for their community.
We connect individuals, families, nonprofits, and local organizations with meaningful ways to help — whether that means volunteering once, committing long-term, or simply staying informed about local needs and opportunities.
At its heart, Crawford Connects is about connection:
connecting people who want to help with work that matters, and strengthening the relationships that already hold this community together.
Our Story
Crawford Connects did not begin as a new idea.
In 2019, the Family, Children & Community Association (FCCA) helped preserve a long-standing volunteer network in Crawford County when changes to federal guidelines threatened how community service was being formally recognized. Rather than allowing years of volunteer effort to disappear, local leaders chose to rebuild the work as a locally supported, community-first initiative.
Then 2020 happened.
COVID disrupted nearly every part of community life. Programs paused. Priorities shifted. And the steady leadership that had guided so much of this work was lost with the passing of FCCA Executive Director Regina Merritt.
Some things simply stopped — not because they weren’t important, but because the world changed.
Still, the need never went away.
Years later, looking back at what had been built — and at what the community had already proven it was willing to give — it became clear that this work was worth continuing.
Crawford Connects is that continuation.
Not a rewind.
Not a replacement.
But a renewed commitment to community connection, built with experience and what we’ve learned along the way.
How Crawford Connects Works
Crawford Connects provides a shared place for:
One-time volunteer requests
Ongoing and long-term volunteer opportunities
Community service events and needs
Organizations can submit requests.
Volunteers choose how and when they want to help.
Coordination becomes clearer, and fewer opportunities are missed.
The goal isn’t to create more work — it’s to remove barriers so service fits into real lives.
Our Relationship with FCCA
Crawford Connects is rooted in the legacy of the Family, Children & Community Association, which has served as a hub of community service in Meadville for decades.
While FCCA remains a key partner, Crawford Connects is intentionally community-wide:
Open to all organizations
Open to all volunteers
Focused on service, not affiliation
Some opportunities originate through FCCA.
Many come from other nonprofits, churches, schools, and community groups.
All are welcome.
Our Commitment
Crawford Connects is committed to being:
Local – Focused on Crawford County
Practical – Easy to use and easy to maintain
Sustainable – Built to last beyond any one person or season
Respectful – Of time, trust, and community effort
This isn’t about reinventing community service.
It’s about supporting what already works and making it easier for more people to take part.
Join the Connection
Whether you have time to give, a need to share, or simply want to stay informed — there’s a place for you here.
Crawford Connects
Rooted in service.
Built on community.
Connected through action.
