Turning Tragedy into Prevention: Protecting Our Children from Online Threats
Women United and Lake County ADAMHS Board Present Free Community Speaker Series April 2
Mentor, OH (March 9, 2026) – Women United of United Way of Lake County, in partnership with the Lake County ADAMHS Board, will host a powerful and timely community speaker series, Turning Tragedy into Prevention: Protecting Our Children from Online Threats, on Thursday, April 2. It will take place from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at Andrews Osborne Academy (Auditorium), 38588 Mentor Ave., in Willoughby.
The event will feature Tim and Tamia Woods, who will share the story of their son, James, a 17-year-old who tragically took his life following online exploitation. Through unimaginable loss, the Woods family has committed themselves to raising awareness and helping other families recognize and prevent online dangers facing children and teens today.
Following their presentation, a panel of experts will provide practical insights into current online threats and offer proactive steps to safeguard children and teens.
The panel will include the Woods, along with Emily Fagan-Zirm of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), and Officer Dan Radigan of the Mentor Police Department. The discussion will be moderated by Kim Fraser, Executive Director of the Lake County ADAMHS Board. Brief bios of each are included below.
“This event is about awareness, prevention, and empowering families with information,” said Dione DeMitro, President & CEO of United Way of Lake County. “We want our community to walk away informed, vigilant, and better equipped to protect our children.”
DeMitro further stated that she is grateful to the Lake County ADAMHS Board for their partnership and shared commitment to educating the community, making it possible to offer the event free of charge.
While the event is FREE and open to the public, advance registration is required at uwlc.org/wu-online-exploitation.
Snacks and beverages will be available for purchase at the concession stand.
Speaker Bios
Tim and Tamia Woods, Do It For James Foundation
After the tragic loss of their only child, James, a 17-year-old who died by suicide following online exploitation, Tim and Tamia Woods turned their grief into purpose. They are the co-founders of the Do It For James Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness about sextortion, online threats, and youth mental health, and to equipping families, schools, and communities with the education and tools to protect children in a digital world. Their advocacy, grounded in personal experience, has reached thousands through presentations, partnerships with law enforcement and educators, and national recognition for their leadership in prevention and education.
Kim Fraser, Executive Director, Lake County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board
Kim first joined the Board in 1999 and held the position of Director of Quality Improvement before being named Executive Director in 2007. Prior to her move to the Board, Kim held both clinical and management positions at an agency in the ADAMHS network. Kim is an independently licensed behavioral health care professional who did her Master’s and post-Master’s work at John Carroll University. She is a graduate of the Case Western Reserve University Women in Healthcare Leadership Program and Case Western Mental Health Executive Leadership Program. Kim and her husband Neal have been Mentor residents for 25 years, where they raised their daughter Carsen.
Kim is currently an executive board member of the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities, chair of the State Board of the Mental Health and Addiction Advocacy Coalition, past chair of Leadership Lake County, and is a founding member of the Lake County Suicide Prevention Coalition and the Lake County Addiction Task Force.
Emily Fagan-Zirm, M.A.Ed, Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force
Emily serves as the Statewide Outreach Coordinator for the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. She holds a B.A. from John Carroll University and a Master of Education from Baldwin Wallace University.
The Ohio ICAC Task Force is a collaboration among city, county, state, and federal law enforcement authorities focused on investigating and prosecuting internet crimes involving child predators and child exploitation. The Task Force is also dedicated to educating parents and children on internet safety. In her role, Emily leads community engagement initiatives, coordinates prevention education, and partners with schools and organizations to promote digital safety for youth throughout Ohio. Her educational outreach covers a variety of topics, including Digital Citizenship, Online Predators/ Grooming, Cyberbullying, Sextortion, Inappropriate Content, and Social Media Best Practices.
Officer Dan Radigan, Mentor Police Department
For over three decades, Officer Dan Radigan has embodied the highest ideals of public service, building a distinguished career in law enforcement that began in 1995.
At the start of his career, Dan served as a corrections officer with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, a police officer for the Mentor-on-the-Lake Police Department, and Madison Township Police Department. In addition, Dan served as a part-time detective with the Lake MetroParks. Dan returned to Mentor in 2003 and joined the Mentor Police Department, where he has served as a police officer, detective, and crime prevention/recruiting officer. As a detective, Dan worked on various types of investigations but spent his last five years in the detective bureau specializing in sexual assaults and ICAC investigations.
Event Summary:
Date: Thursday, April 2
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: Andrews Osborne Academy (Auditorium)
38588 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, OH
Cost: Free with Advance Registration at uwlc.org/wu-online-exploitation
About Women United of Lake County
Women United is dedicated to strengthening the community by investing in programs and initiatives that support women and children throughout Lake County.
About the Lake County ADAMHS Board
The Lake County ADAMHS Board supports and funds mental health and addiction services to improve the well-being of Lake County residents
About United Way of Lake County
United is the way.
United Way Lake County (UWLC) is a leader in community action. When needs arise, UWLC steps in—connecting people and resources to address their county’s toughest challenges. They listen, respond, and take action to strengthen resilience, improve health, expand youth opportunities, and build financial stability. By filling critical gaps in need among nonprofit programs and mobilizing our community, they work to ensure everyone has the chance to thrive. For more information, please visit uwlc.org.