Give Back Cincinnati dives into Price Hill with their latest Community Immersion

Give Back Cincinnati, the local young professional community service organization, annually returns to neighborhoods with their volunteers where they performed service to give them a more in-depth experience of the community. Previous immersion experiences followed community service efforts in Over-the-Rhine and Northside, and over this past weekend, Give Back immersed their volunteers into Price Hill.

In June, Give Back Cincinnati volunteers painted 42 houses in Price Hill as part of its annual Paint the Town event.  Give Back Cincinnati organizers say that many of the volunteers were unfamiliar with the neighborhood so it made sense to return for their Community Immersion program this fall.

"It's an opportunity to learn more in-depth about the community, and specifically the volunteers can learn more about the non-profits and businesses in the area that they might not otherwise know," said Cheryl Besl.

On Saturday approximately 30 people showed up to take part in the Community Immersion and were treated to a tour of the new City Lights Development at Incline Square by former Cincinnati City Councilmember John Cranley, a walking tour of the neighborhood and many of the houses Give Back painted over the summer, lunch with officials from Enright Ridge Urban Eco-Village, a visit to the Price Hill Historical Society, and a tour of four Price Hill Will homes. Participants were also able to meet with several non-profits and local businesses in the area.

"We want to show there's a whole lot more with a whole community of businesses, non-profits and opportunities to get involved in these neighborhoods," said Besl.

Give Back is currently conducting a survey about future neighborhoods to visit, the results of which will be available in December with a decision being made shortly thereafter.  Those interested in getting involved are encouraged to join Give Back Cincinnati to stay up-to-date on what the organization is planning next.

Writer: Randy A. Simes
Photography provided
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