Enrollment open for fall 2022 Engage Toledo Ambassador Academy
The program helps citizens become more engaged, and educated, when it comes to day-to-day operations of the Glass City.
TOLEDO, Ohio — As a citizen, it can be easy to complain about that street that never gets plowed or the leaves that still need to be cleared. But the city of Toledo is once again offering you the opportunity to find out why that may be the case.
“The Engage Toledo Ambassador Academy is so vital to the residents because it teaches our residents about the city services that we offer in the city of Toledo. So many people want to receive services, but maybe they just don’t know how.”
Jenny Jaqua, commissioner of customer service & engagement for the City of Toledo, says that this idea was born out of a conference city employees attended in 2017. Since then, it has graduated over 100 Toledo resident ambassadors, and 32 high school junior ambassadors.
Fast forward to now, enrollment for the academy opened today. Classes begin on Thursday, September 1st. Sessions will be held every Thursday from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. for twelve consecutive weeks at various locations.
“We’re gonna bring you together with the department heads, the divisions that really provide the services. So we are gonna facilitate, we’re gonna feed you — every week — so you’re gonna get good food. You’re gonna learn from the directors, the department heads, the leaders, the people that do the job on the street,” Jaqua explained.
At the completion of the program, participants graduate during a formal ceremony in city council chambers on November 17th, and are designated as Engage Toledo Ambassadors. 24 city residents, age 18 or older, from all six council districts will be selected from a random lottery draw.
To enter into that lottery for a chance at joining the academy, visit the Engage Toledo section of the city website, or call Engage Toledo at 419-936-2020. Applications close at 11:59 p.m. on August 23rd, with participants to be notified by August 25th.
