Non-Profit

Life with Redwood mixes love and opportunities

●

March 1, 2011

Kristine Jones didn't mean to fall in love. The Ohio native admits she never thought she'd end up moving to Kentucky to be closer to the object of her affections. But for the health and well-being of her daughter Taylor, who was born with multiple handicaps, Jones discovered that she could not find any better support and encouragement than at Redwood in Ft. Mitchell. Jones, a Procter & Gamble retiree, first learned about Redwood when she ran out of options for summer care for Taylor. Her daughters needs were too great for traditional camps, and Jones didn't know where to turn. Redwood, which serves more than 700 children and adults with severe and multiple disabilities, from age six weeks and up, had summer programs where Taylor found a welcome home. After two successful summers at Redwood, Jones needed little convincing to enroll her daughter in the non-profit's school age program, especially since it offered her afterschool care as well as classrooms that were split 50-50. Half of the students in each class have disabilities; the other half does not. "It's a place where her special needs are seen, not as obstacles, but just part of every day living," says Jones, who joined Redwood's Board in 2005 as a way to give back. "She is encouraged to become the best that she, as an individual, can be." The Jones' school move included a physical family move across the river. In 2006, Taylor graduated into Redwood's Adult Independence Program, which she still attends every day. Adults in the program work with mentors to learn computer skills, exercise and practice daily living skills. "My daughter gets up in the morning eager to go to Redwood," Jones says. "Taylor has become the self-assured young lady she is today due to the staff at Redwood." From a nursery to job training, Redwood's depth of services reflect its mission since its founding in 1953: To empower and improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. Do Good: • Take a trip on the Redwood Express. The March 4 fundraiser includes food, bourbon-tasting and Mardi Gras-style fun. • Care for a Kid. Support Redwood's scholarship program for kids in need and help young ones with disabilities access Redwood's top-quality care. • Donate. And find out plenty of other ways to help when you visit Redwood online.

Latest in Non-Profit

Media Bridges hiring two, expanding services

By Newsroom

●

General

●

March 1, 2011

Since the late '80s Media Bridges services have evolved as the city's public and educational access media provider. Starting as Cincinnati Community Video, it's gone from a primarily television based organization to one that specializes in a spectrum of media services from radio to web.Since the late '80s Media Bridges services have evolved as the city's public and educational access media provider. Starting as Cincinnati Community Video, it's gone from a primarily television based organization to one that specializes in a spectrum of media services from radio to web.Media Bridges is now evolving into a new phase, expanding its services to its nonprofit and governmental clients, and hiring two new staff to help implement them.At the helm of these changes is newly hired Director of Nonprofit Services and Education, James Czar. Czar comes to Media Bridges from the private sector as a creative director for a local video production company and a manager of communications for nonprofit Enjoy the Arts."When this opportunity came up, I had to seriously consider it. I truly believe in the mission of Media Bridges offering free access to media for the public and helping them to express themselves. It's a wonderful mission," Czar.Media Bridges is in the process of offering a new suite of services including some specialized media training courses that will be available for a fee. They're hiring a web design developer and an account manager to help offer these services. The organization will continue to offer its free services, he said."We're not going to lose the core of our mission, offering free classes and education. However, with the expansion of nonprofit services, we can have some purposeful and revenue generated growth that can fund what we do as part of our mission for free," Czar said.All the details of what exactly will be offered and when are close to being worked out, but they will be based on client needs. They include certifications in software and hardware as well as other computer and IT classes, audio, video and web design."It will be an extension of what we already do … we're working with clients to identify all their needs," Czar said, adding that new services should be announced within the next month.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Media Bridges Director of Nonprofit Services and Education James CzarYou can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiawrites Media Bridges is now evolving into a new phase expanding its services to its nonprofit and governmental clients, and hiring two new staff to help implement them.At the helm of these changes is newly hired Director of Nonprofit Services and Education, James Czar. Czar comes to Media Bridges from the private sector as a creative director for a local video production company and a volunteer for nonprofit Enjoy the Arts."As a volunteer, everything you do is about helping people. So when this opportunity came up, I had to seriously consider it. I truly believe in the mission of Media Bridges offering free access to media for the public and helping them to express themselves. It's a wonderful mission," Czar.Media Bridges is in the process of offering a new suite of services including some specialized media training courses that will be available for a fee. They're hiring a web design developer and an account manager to help offer these services. The organization will continue to offer its free services, he said."We're not going to lose the core of our mission offering free classes and education. However, with the expansion of nonprofit services, we can have some purposeful and revenue generated growth that can fund what we do as part of our mission for free," Czar said.All the details of what exactly will be offered and when are close to being worked out, but they will be based on client needs. They include certifications in software and hardware as well as other computer and IT classes, audio, video and web design."It will be an extension of what we already do … we're working with clients to identify all their needs," Czar said, adding that new services should be announced within the next month.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Media Bridges Director of Nonprofit Services and Education James CzarYou can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiawrites

Cincy Sneaker Showcase attracting enthusiasts from across the country

By Newsroom

●

General

●

March 1, 2011

Sneaks. Kicks. Treads.For a subculture of tennis shoe wearers, the shoe is much more than athletic gear or a simple fashion statement. For sneaker fanatics, the shoe is a work of art, a collectable, or an extension of their lifestyle. When it comes to limited edition or rare sneaks, they wouldn't dare wear them and might even display them like a sculpture or painting.There are magazines, blogs and websites devoted to this particular shoe fetish with bright pictures, ratings and reviews of the latest specialty or limited edition Air Jordan's, Air Force 1's, Timberlands and Vans. Sneaks. Kicks. Treads.For a subculture of tennis shoe wearers, the shoe is much more than athletic gear or a simple fashion statement. For sneaker fanatics, the shoe is a work of art, a collectable, or an extension of a lifestyle. When it comes to limited edition or rare sneaks, they wouldn't dare wear them and might even display them like a sculpture or painting.There are magazines, blogs and websites devoted to this particular shoe fetish with bright pictures, ratings and reviews of the latest specialty or limited edition Air Jordan's, Air Force 1's, Timberlands or Vans. But if you want to get an up-close-and-personal look at some of these top-notch shoes, more than 75 collectors, buyers and sellers will be at the third Cincinnati Sneaker Showcase June 11, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kingsgate Marriot at the University of Cincinnati. For the uninitiated, a sneaker show is akin to a comic book convention, where people buy, trade or just admire sneakers.The Cincinnati Sneaker Showcase once again is being organized by Matt Tomamichel, who owns Corporate, a sneaker and clothing boutique in Springdale. Sneaker showcases are common in big urban centers like New York, L.A., Atlanta and Miami, but Tomamichel is working to create the premier Midwest show. He also believes this is the only sneaker show in the Midwest where the proceeds go to a cause."People starting doing these a couple of years ago … we decided to use it as a fundraiser instead of (proceeds) going into someone's pocket," he said. "This goes 100 percent back to the kids."Entry is $5 and money raised from the event will go to Shining Star Sports, a nonprofit, mentoring organization that teaches children and young adults life skills and teamwork through the game of basketball. Shining Star supports 20 teams, 200 players and a 35-person staff."We've had some great success with kids going on to Division I schools and getting scholarships though Shining Star Sports," Tomamichel said.The first two shows were held in 2007 and 2009, and have grown each year from 25 displays the to 75 as of now. At least 500 enthusiasts are expected to check out the showcase this summer. Collectors from Cleveland, New York, Atlanta and Texas will be setting up displays, and Tomamichel has fielded calls from as far away as L.A. Anyone interested in finding out more about the Cincinnati Sneaker Showcase, or in purchasing a table can go to the showcase website. You can also find info on Twitter and Facebook.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Matt Tomamichel, owner of CorporateYou can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiawrites But if you want to get an up close and personal look at some of these top-notch shoes, more than 75 collectors, buyers and sellers will be at the third Cincinnati Sneaker Showcase June 11, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kingsgate Marriot at the University of Cincinnati. For the uninitiated, a sneaker show is sort of like a comic book convention, where people buy, trade or just admire sneakers.The Cincinnati Sneaker Showcase once again is being organized by Matt Tomamichel, who owns Corporate, a sneaker and clothing boutique in Springdale. Sneaker showcases are common in big urban centers like New York, L.A., Atlanta and Miami, but Tomamichel is working to be the premier Midwest show. He also believes this is the only sneaker show in the Midwest where the proceeds go to a cause."People starting doing these a couple of years ago … we decided to use it as a fundraiser instead of (proceeds) going to someone's pocket," he said. "This goes 100 percent back to the kids."Entry is $5 and money raised from the event will go to Shining Star Sports, a nonprofit, mentoring organization that teaches children and young adults life skills and teamwork through the game of basketball. Shining Star supports 20 teams, 200 players and a 35-person staff."We've had some great success with kids going on to Division I schools and getting scholarships though Shining Star Sports," Tomamichel said.The first two shows were held in 2007 and 2009, and have grown each year from 25 displays the first year to 75 as of now. At least 500 enthusiasts are expected to check out the showcase this summer. Collectors from Cleveland, New York, Atlanta and Texas will be setting up displays, and Tomamichel has fielded calls from as far away as L.A. Anyone interested in finding out more about the Cincinnati Sneaker Showcase, or in purchasing a table can go to the showcase website. You can also find info on Twitter and Facebook.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Matt Tomamichel, owner of CorporateYou can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiawrites

Dennison Hotel gets new life as historic Ironworks Apartments

By Soapbox

●

Architecture + Design

●

March 1, 2011

A downtown building that served as a turn of the century manufacturing plant and later, a run-down hotel, will get a new life and provide much needed housing and services for low income downtown dwellers. The Dennison Hotel owes its transformation to another downtown hotel's recently scheduled makeover into a boutique hotel. The Model Group was brought in by 3CDC to assist with the resident relocation process for the Metropole on Walnut Street, which is being remodeled into a boutique hotel operated by Louisville's 21C. Model senior vice president Bobby Maly said that relocation process heightened an unmet need downtown for low income residents."It became obvious that there was a real need for affordable housing in the central business district with services, and there wasn't really anything like that," Maly said.For years the Dennison had been operated as a low income hotel with daily, weekly and monthly rentals, but no needed services attached. "We started looking at possibilities downtown, and Dennison was an obvious choice because it was already operating as a place for low income housing. It was in terrible shape inside and out though," Maly said. Model bought the building for $700,000 with a loan from 3CDC and began conversations with Talbert House to provide the services the building's new residents will need. Built in 1890, the building was originally an ironworks for a carriage maker. It was later converted to a hotel with 114 single resident units and common baths and kitchens (a faded sign painted on the upper quarter of the hotel still advertises "105 rooms, 60 baths.") Maly said there hasn't been a physical renovation of the space in decades, other than bricking up the original two over two windows. Model will take the single room units down to 63 units of studio apartments, each with their own kitchen, bathroom, and high quality finishes. The exterior and façade will get a complete historic renovation including restoring the windows to their original size. Maly said Model hopes to have financing wrapped up in the next three months and will use a 4% tax credit, loans and historic tax credits to fund the development. Construction should start this fall. Once completed, Talbert House will own the building and provide supportive services for its residents including 24 hour staffing by the entrance. Long vacant storefront space will also be renovated into a deli/café operated by Talbert House's social enterprise program which will put Ironwork's residents to work in the space. Writer: Sean Rhiney

OTR tour operator gets a permanent home in Gateway Quarter

By Soapbox

●

Arts + Culture

●

February 22, 2011

The popular Queen City Underground and Newport Gangster tours will get a permanent home in the Gateway Quarter of Over-the-Rhine, opening a new office and shop this spring. Jerry Gels, tour owner and founder, looks forward to adding to the growing neighborhood where several of its popular tours take place. "Last year was a lot of borrowing from places to hold things for us. Having a permanent location and a tie to the neighborhood will make things better," Gels said. Gels said the Gangster and Civil War tours attracted 5,600 people to Newport and OTR alone. This year, he hopes to have 10,000 to 15,000 people attending the tours. At the beginning of each tour, a tour guides ask each person when the last time he or she visited OTR. Gels reports that more than 80 percent have not been in OTR for ten years. The tours serve as a great introduction to the neighborhood, showing people the beauty and history of the neighborhood. "What we do for the neighborhood is different because we physically walk them through it," Gels said. "People are slightly intimidated to walk through, but by the end of the tour, visitors understand how the neighborhood is important." At the height of touring season, Newport and OTR tours utilize sixteen employees. Currently Gels is undecided about adding more employees to staff or keeping a smaller staff, which allows them to have longer and consistent work. The new space at 1220 Vine (the former Lucky Step space) will serve as an office, but also a gift shop for customers who have requested souvenir items and small convenient items. The shop will offer products associated with Cincinnati, including pieces from Rookwood Pottery. "We want to be the new Savannah or Charleston," Gels explained. "As the neighborhood improves and tours continue to grow, the next big deal will be international publicity."Writer: Lisa Ensminger

ETC’s Prelude spotlights unlikely young artists

By Elissa Yancey

●

Arts + Culture

●

February 22, 2011

The six young actors took their places at the front of the classroom, in costume and full makeup. There was Dr. Cow, Alice the Bear, Antwon the Rooster, Steven the Elephant and Sugar Bear. At Chase Elementary in Northside, the small but mighty class of children aged 6 to 9 with multiple disabilities made Prelude history in December. After a 10-week residency with Ensemble Theatre Company's education outreach associate, Amy King Ruggaber, class members had written and rehearsed a play based on a message they chose. "They just wanted everyone to think about how to play nice with one another," says Ruggaber, who had never before worked with a class that used American Sign Language in its performance.Their finished work, "At the Playground," drew raves from an audience of peers, teachers and family members. One class member, who is hearing-impaired, insisted on both signing and speaking her lines, quite a feat since that meant learning new vocabulary in two languages. "They worked so hard," says Ruggaber, who teamed with occupational and physical therapists as well as an interpreter and classroom teachers at Chase. She averages five residences per year, but does her best to work with as many students as possible. Typical classes include about 18 students, each of whom will have some kind of speaking part in the final performance."It's a really extraordinary opportunity to give these kids a voice, says Ruggaber, 28, a North Carolina native who started her tenure at ETC as an acting intern. "The skills that it teaches are so much more than how to be an actor."Ruggaber shows students that learning comes in many forms and shows teachers creative ways to teach state academic standards. Successful plays and slashed arts budgets have heightened demand for Prelude, and Ruggaber, ETC's one-woman education and outreach department, oversees four other programs, including the popular Fairy Godmother Program each winter. Now in her fourth season at ETC, Ruggaber has expanded Prelude to include two classes at Rothenburg Elementary in Over-the-Rhine, one of a growing number of schools with no art or music teacher. The "play lady" wants to do more than generate an appreciation for the arts. "We want to support these kids," she says.The performance at Chase proves that each effort makes a difference. Ruggaber marveled as the children, who have been teased and bullied because of their disabilities, acted out a message of compassion and empathy. "It's strange how small things become powerful, she says. Do Good:• Join the Entourage. You can usher at a show, buy juice boxes for the Fairy Godmother or find any number of ways to put your skills to use to promote ETC's education outreach efforts.For Good News Editor: Elissa Yancey (Sonnenberg)• Follow the blog. Ruggaber documents her ETC education outreach work, including Prelude, on this engaging and inspirational blog.• Be an early bird. Subscribe to the 2011-2012 ETC season before March 15 and you'll not only support education outreach, you'll enjoy wonderful plays and performances.

Hands-on education grows at Gorman Heritage Farm

By Elissa Yancey

●

Education + Learning

●

February 22, 2011

Just 15 minutes north of downtown Cincinnati, kids from the heart of the city eagerly demand second helpings of radishes and spinach. After a day of exploring the 160-year-old family farm, students have worked up quite an appetite for the food they pick fresh from the garden, says Vicki Foster, Gorman Heritage Farm's marketing and special events manager."All of them go into the farmyard," Foster says. "They get their hands in the ground."With 4,000-plus students visiting every year, Gorman is a busy educational and working farm -- 120 acres in Evendale protected from development by the wishes of Jim and Dorothy Gorman, the brother and sister who deeded their property to ensure it remained a farm.Students receive small-group opportunities thanks to the efforts of an army of dedicated, trained volunteers, who provide 70 percent of the educational offerings. Foster says that organizers split field trips into groups of no more than a dozen students each to ensure authentic hands-on activities each child.The farm hosts seasonal festivals, public farm tours and summer camps for a range of ages. They sell greens in the spring, produce through the summer, popcorn and pumpkins in the fall and honey from their own hives.For Foster, though, the importance of the farm reaches beyond its educational and edible offerings. She remembers an exhausted young woman who stepped through the farm gates at the end of a long work day, took a deep breath and visibly relaxed. Foster invites others to the farm so that they can understand its power."Come and get back in touch with yourself."Do Good:• Sponsor a field trip. This March, many scheduled school field trips may cancel due to budget cuts. Visit the farm's website to make a donation. • Rummage away. Volunteer to help at, donate to or shop during the farm's annual rummage sale, Feb. 26. If you can help, email the farm.• Take a class. Whether it's wood-fired cooking or gardening workshops or summer camp, Gorman Heritage Farm offers regular opportunities to get in touch with nature. For Good News Editor: Elissa Yancey (Sonnenberg)

Reimagining the Urban Grocery

By Henry Sweets

●

General

●

February 22, 2011

Urban areas with limited access to healthy food are commonly referred to as "food deserts." Learn how local entrepreneurs and leaders are making efforts to improve access to healthy, sustainable food options in Cincinnati through innovation and legislative incentives.

Give Back Beyond takes Cincinnati good deeds across the globe

By Newsroom

●

Environment + Sustainability

●

February 22, 2011

Give Back Cincinnati is one of the region's largest and most successful volunteer organizations. With more than 5000 YP members, it's most known for its massive one-day and weekend events where hundreds of people at a time go to Cincinnati neighborhoods cleaning, painting and fixing up deserving homes.But a smaller group of dedicated do-gooders aren't content with lending a helping hand only to fellow Cincinnatians. They're members of Give Back Beyond, a domestic and international volunteer program, in partnership with overseas chapters of Habitat for Humanity. Give Back Beyond started five years ago, with the first of what has become an annual trip to hurricane devastated New Orleans. From there, the group traveled further, with recent trips to Guatemala and Romania. For the first time this year, Give Back Beyond will be heading to Vietnam and has plans to go to Ghana."I first got involved with Give Back Cincinnati a few years ago through going to some of their social events, then I got involved with volunteer events," said Megan Lobaugh, who's organizing this year's Guatemala trip in April. Then she found out about Give Back Beyond."I love to travel. Any opportunity I have to travel, especially internationally, I try to take advantage of it," said Lobaugh, a radiological engineering grad student at the University of Cincinnati. Lobaugh's first Give Back Beyond trip was to Romania.She'll travel with at least a dozen other YPs to Xela, a large city to the Northwest of Guatemala City. While there, the group will build brick and mortar homes and visit a school members' sponsor in partnership with a local anti-poverty charity Cooperative for Education.They'll also get some down time, visiting Antigua's open air markets and shops."It's a great tourist city," she said.Give Back Beyond is still taking applications for Guatemala. You can find out more about the organization, or apply here. The cost for the Guatemala trip is approximately $1,400, which includes a $500 donation to Habitat for Humanity.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Megan Lobaugh, Give Back Beyond member You can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiawrites

WAY builds relationships for youth success

By Elissa Yancey

●

Education + Learning

●

February 22, 2011

They have been diagnosed as bi-polar or ADHD. They have schizo-affective or reactive attachment disorder. And they are 12 to 16 years old. All of the 99 youth involved in Lighthouse Youth Services Work Appreciation for Youth (WAY) program have diagnoses that qualify them for mental health services. Many live in either foster or group homes. Many have been kicked out of traditional schools. The WAY program, a non-traditional effort to provide stability and critical life skills for young clients, launched five years ago, says program director Shannon Kiniyalocts. "Some of it is just advocating for the client," she says. "Some of it is communication skills, problem-solving and decision-making skills."Young WAY participants' case managers are called "life coaches." They meet at home and in communities, not mental health facilities. Teens learn how to choose the right Metro route to get where they need to go. They learn how to prepare for a job interview.The five-step program, adapted from a model in New York City's Children's Village, focuses on keeping some of Hamilton County's most challenging youth in environments where they can develop lasting relationships. Life coaches can stay with participants up to three years through five phases of accomplishments."We provide services and skill-building activities to assist them in breaking down mental health barriers," says Kiniyalocts.Whether it's learning how to navigate public transportation, how to prepare for a job interview or how to manage medications, WAY includes practical lessons in responsibility and independence. Kiniyalocts notes that youth in the program may never have had a relationship with an adult that lasted three full years.As youth move through the program, they begin to complete monthly community service projects and have opportunities to practice new skills. They earn nominal salaries for completing chores, open their own bank accounts (with Lighthouse support) and then gain experience with bigger jobs within the program.Advanced participants create art at Essex Studios in Walnut Hills two to three times a week. They learn about photography and Photoshop, painting and drawing. Tasks range from creating art for note cards to baking dog biscuits. In spring, they oversee a garden plot in Northside, sell their harvest and take home leftovers. They sell their garden products, along with their other creations, at Northside and Findlay markets. "They are generally the ones selling to the community members," says Kiniyalocts. Interacting with the public, as well as seeing the impact and popularity of their work, goes a long way toward building self-esteem and creating a sense of hope and possibility for bright, productive futures.Do Good:• Write a letter to your friend. Use WAY artist note cards to share news about your world.• Give your dog a treat. Bags of WAGS start at just $1.50. Email to reserve your treats.• Clean your closet. Lighthouse Youth Services has a never-ending wish list, including furniture, household items and much more.For Good News Editor: Elissa Yancey (Sonnenberg)