It Happened in Crawford: Alena Fox's journey from food service to mental health advocate
Career leads to helping those with developmental disabilities, mental health issues
- Alena Fox, after a successful career in food service, returned to school to earn degrees in psychology and behavioral health.
- Fox worked with individuals with developmental disabilities and later became a public health emergency preparedness coordinator.
- Driven by her mother's struggles with mental illness, Fox became an advocate for mental health awareness and support.
- Fox now works for NAMI, leading support groups and training volunteers to help others facing mental health challenges.
Editor's note: This is the second of two stories about Alena Fox. She is Mary Fox's niece.
In an article in the Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum published in 2021, Alena Fox noted she “realized food service might not be the field to stay in into her golden years," so she went to school.
"I am so grateful that in America, you can do that," she said of being able to move up without a college education. She went back to school to learn Spanish and took classes to complete a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Typically, Alena was the oldest student in her classes. She was 48 when she got her degree in 2012 after studying at three of Ohio State University's four branch campuses.
She got a master’s degree in psychology/behavioral health from the University of Phoenix in 2015, noting she appreciated the diversity of the students in her online classes.
Helping people with disabilities at Broken Arrow
At this point in her life, leaving her food service career behind, Alena worked locally for Broken Arrow as a home manager for individuals living with developmental disabilities. She would take “the guys” out for activities they enjoyed like movies, high school football and basketball games, often providing the play-by-play commentary for one of the blind individuals.
They remain close friends, and she visits them often, reminiscing about fun times and the “Elvis” waffle breakfasts − similar to those she had with her Uncle Ed − topped with peanut butter, banana slices and syrup, with bacon on the side.
Alena began working for Mt. Vernon Developmental Center as a residential care supervisor for those living with developmental disabilities. It was an hourlong, 48-mile commute, so she passed the time listening to audiobooks. She loved working there, but after commuting for six years she decided to pursue work closer to home.
She became the public health emergency preparedness coordinator and medical reserve corps volunteer coordinator for Crawford County Public Health (CCPH). She partnered with healthcare partner agencies, providers and first responders to ensure CCPH was ready and able to assist residents in case of a public health emergency or disaster.
A Red Cross blood donor since the age of 17, Alena noted “it’s a great legacy to live and give.” She learned that from her father, Tony, and uncle, Don Fox, who ushered her into her first donation appointment. She’s given more than 12 gallons of blood over her lifetime.
A personal journey that lead her to being a mental health advocate
Having completed schooling and with time on her hands, Alena looked for an opportunity to give back to her community by volunteering. She saw a flyer about volunteering for NAMI Marion and Crawford Counties and it seemed like that could be a good fit since she was passionate about improving mental health.
Alena’s life was impacted by her mother’s mental health. That knowledge and experience led her to this part of her career. Her mother’s behavior was erratic. Alena described her mom as a “Mommy Dearest.” When Alena would go to sleepovers and see other parents and children, she recalls thinking, “That’s not how our family is.”
Alena credits extended family members for supporting her. She considers herself a survivor and is thankful for the ability to forgive her mother because of her mental health education. Sometimes people who suffer from borderline personality disorder (BPD) are in a manic state, they block those bad memories and are unable to remember incidents. She notes mental illness can make relationships challenging and impossible to maintain due to a lack of trust, but there is hope if people can get the help needed.
Alena is a former member of the Board of Directors for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Marion and Crawford County (NAMI–MCC). The organization, which offers free mental health support groups, education and advocacy, works in partnership with the Crawford-Marion Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Board. When the opportunity to quit her day job came, she went to work for NAMI-MCC fulltime as program and volunteer director.
In that role, she leads support groups for individuals or family members of those living with mental illness. She collaborates with groups such as the Crawford County Art Center to do Art Connection, a support group with an artistic theme. In this work, she feels she is “paying it forward,” making it possible for people to heal and maintain their mental health recovery −s upport she wishes her family had when she was younger.
She trains volunteers to help with community events, educating and facilitating groups. One of NAMI’s core beliefs is to “never give up hope,” and Alena is proud to help in that mission. She is excited to be doing work that makes a difference and is looking forward to seeing the impact on people’s lives as they get the help needed to improve mental health outcomes here in Crawford County.
She still has the travel bug
Alena loves traveling, and she prefers visiting the last member of the 16 Fox children, which included her dad, Tony. Her godfather and uncle, Dick, and cousin Marie have lived in Santa Fe for over 50 years in the adobe home Dick and his wife, Toushie, built themselves.
“New Mexico is called The Land of Enchantment, and I agree with that title," Alena said. "From the tasty roasted green chiles, to the art and beauty of the arroyos and architecture, I was in love with Santa Fe from the first time I visited. My 'Foxy' Uncle Dick is the best tour guide and host.”
Of course, family is what makes a place feel like home, so while she loves to travel and the desert is like a second home, Alena is glad to be back in Crawford County with family, where it all began for her.
Go online for more of Mary Fox’s stories and photos on bucyrustelegraphforum.com. If you are interested in sharing a story, write Mary Fox, 931 Marion Road, Bucyrus, OH 44820 or email littlefoxfactory@columbus.rr.com