Heartprints is a local nonprofit dedicated to "improving the lives of youth, families, and communities." It secured 501(c)(3) status a year ago, and its global reach continues to expand. But this "heartprint" began with a small local footprint, planted a decade earlier.
While attending XU, heartprints founder Brian Siegel went to the YWCA's Battered Womens' Shelter to perform 15 hours of required community service. But when he saw the needs - especially tutoring and mentoring for the children of shelter residents - he kept going back. Volunteering became a way of life. "I would do coat drives on my own - collect them at offices, then give a coat to anyone who asked me for money." Siegel grew up on the West Side, and credits his social-worker mother with providing an example of how to live and treat others.
Siegel earned an MBA with a focus on Marketing from Xavier, started
Siegel Innovations Marketing, and participated in the
Cincinnati Chamber's C-Change leadership development program. When he was laid off after six years in management at GE Evendale, friends suggested he start a nonprofit. "It all came together - this is what I'm supposed to do." He now uses his marketing skills to brand and promote initiatives he started as a college student, but his Board of Directors at Heartprints includes representation from P&G, GE, Convergys, and other local business giants.
Heartprints focuses on three key areas: mentoring, jobs, and outreach. Siegel has seen how investing in youth at the Women's Shelter, local YMCAs and schools breaks the cycle of poverty and violence.
CincyJobSpace utilizes the heartprints network to publicize jobs and volunteering opportunities for laid-off locals. Outreach meets the physical needs of Cincinnati citizens below the poverty line, with an eye to global outreach.
Siegel supports his initiatives with
Coffee with a Cause, a key partnership with a coffee grower in Honduras. Coffee sales benefit Heartprints, and also fund homes, schools, and a water pump in their country of origin.
The steady, organic growth of Heartprints encourages Siegel as he builds on his relationship base. He jokingly refers to "three offices - my car, my basement, and every coffee shop in town," saving money on a storefront until the need arises.
Heartprints welcomes cash and in-kind donations, as well as more volunteers for all of their projects.
Writer: Elena Stevenson
Source: Brian Siegel, Founder and CEO, heartprints
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