Vision 2015 Volunteer Efforts

Vision 2015 is working with community partners on more than 35 active initiatives.  For additional details on the initiatives highlighted below and other initiatives, go to www.vision2015.org or contact Kara Clark at kclark@vision2015.org.

Project Lily Pad
In today’s economy, doing business depends as much on virtual connectivity as the physical links provided by bridges, roads and airports.  It’s so important, in fact, that Vision 2015, Northern Kentucky’s 10-year strategic plan, has made Project Lily Pad a top priority.  A project of Give Back Cincinnati, Lily Pad is a volunteer-driven initiative to install free wireless internet access in parks, buses, business districts and other common areas throughout Greater Cincinnati.  Lily Pad is excited to engage new volunteers.  Contact Karl Preissner at karl@lilypadusa.org.

Champions for Education
Vision 2015 and education partners across the region believe that every child deserves a caring adult who is engaged in their education career.  Northern Kentucky Champions for Education were born from this belief.  To date, over 1,200 community members have become Champions for Education and, through advocacy and direct volunteerism, are committed to improving education in our region. Become a Champion for Education by contacting Nancy Grayson at ngrayson@vision2015.org.

Center for Educator Excellence
The Northern Kentucky Center for Educator Excellence (CEE) is focused on implementing strategies for regional recruitment, retention, and development of professional educators.  In its inaugural year of operation, the CEE met with superintendents in all 18 school districts, held 5 professional development workshops, took districts to schools across the country to research best practices, and created a system to track teacher turnover.  In addition, the CEE developed a unique partnership that has the potential to increase the number of highly qualified math and science teachers in our schools.  For more information on the CEE, contact Susan Cook at cooks2@nku.edu.

One to One Practicing Reading with Students
Current research indicates that when a student reads below grade level in the third grade, he or she becomes more likely to drop out of high school.  Vision 2015 entered into a partnership with the Partnership at New Cities to implement the One to One: Practicing Reading with Students initiative in Northern Kentucky schools to help improve student reading scores at the primary level.  Our strategic timeline calls for 572 coaches to be secured by 2011.  To date, we have over 250.  If you or your company would like to become involved in this initiative, please contact Nancy Grayson at ngrayson@vision2015.org.

Health and Social Needs Assessment
The Health and Social Needs Assessment engaged more than 60 community representatives from Northern Kentucky businesses, government, and social service agencies in an ongoing, comprehensive evaluation of the Northern Kentucky health system.  The Child Policy Research Center of the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center is also conducting a child-focused health assessment that includes over 2,000 individuals.  The final report of these assessments will be available on the Northern Kentucky Health Department Web site, www.nkyhealth.org.  An implementation team is currently being formed.  If you would like to engage on a team to address the findings of the report, contact Alan Kalos at Alan.Kalos@ky.gov.

NKYHelps.org
NKYHelps.org is a one-stop shop for volunteerism and donations in Northern Kentucky.  NKYHelps.org is connecting those who want to volunteer their time, money, and items for those who need them.  Anyone can register to volunteer their time or donate goods or services.  Organizations must register and be approved before they can post volunteer opportunities.  Check it out at www.NKYHelps.org.

Service Learning
Service Learning is a teaching and learning method that connects meaningful community service experiences with academic learning, personal growth, and civic responsibility.  This powerful teaching methodology successfully unites classroom curriculum with identified community issues and needs.  Under the direct leadership of Children, Inc., this past school year (2008-09) 20,017 children completed a service learning project.  8,058 of these students completed more than one service project.  28 schools had over 70% of their students complete a service learning project while also meeting other criteria, which entitles them to be called a “School of Contribution.”  For more information on the Service Learning initiative, contact Lou Settle at lsettle@vision2015.org

Northern Kentucky Forum
The Northern Kentucky Forum is a partnership among Legacy, the Scripps Howard Center for Civic Engagement at NKU, and Vision 2015.  The Forum is designed to inspire people to participate in public dialogue and decision-making about the future of Northern Kentucky.  Forum events occur bi-monthly.  To be added to the mailing list or to volunteer in support of these events, contact Blair Schroeder at Blair.Schroeder@cchmc.org.

Catalytic Development Funding Corporation
As the heart of Northern Kentucky, our urban core is a place where civic pride is celebrated and economic diversity is embraced.  Vision 2015’s goal to restore our urban core to a position of prominence calls for the creation of a Catalytic Development Funding Corporation (CDFC) to stimulate investment in these metropolitan communities.  The CDFC will invest in properties and developments that are often seen as too risky for commercial lenders and traditional developers.  This type of development typically requires a subsidy or patient capital to support it, as well as professional urban development expertise.  CDFC Executive Director Jeanne Schroer can be reached at jschroer@cdfcnky.org.

Licking River Parks & Greenway
In March of 2009, a transformative vision for our regional riverfront was unveiled that will feature access and use of the Licking River.  A master plan has been created called The Licking River Greenway & Trails project.  The initiative will create an urban greenway from the mouth of the Licking River to the I-275 loop.  The first phase of the greenway has been established and efforts are underway to secure funding, organize a Friends of the Licking group, and begin construction on the multi-surface trail.  For more information or to join the efforts, email Pat Timm at pztimm@me.com.