Transcription
FRONT PORCHNEWS Winter 2019Fifth Shelter Opens in Bond Hill2018 has been a year unlike any other in our 36year history. Beginning in January, we had to putfamilies in hotels because all of the beds in our fourshelter locations were filled.Putting “overflow” families in hotels is somethingwe expect to do during the summer, not inwinter. In fact, we call it the “Summer Surge,” aphenomenon that occurs throughout the U.S. whenfamily homelessness spikes. However, this year wasdifferent—by May, we had already sheltered a recordnumber of families.Bethany House was at a crossroads—we had beenpaying hotel bills since January to shelter theunprecedented number of homeless families whop Our children at our Bond Hill Shelter loved their new pajamas!couldn’t be served in our other four shelters. Thebills were mounting and the situation was notsustainable. The hotel was in Sharonville—15 miles bycar to our Fairmount campus and even further for ourfamilies who travel by bus.In June 2018, an empty group home on the propertyof St. Aloysius in Bond Hill became our fifth shelterfacility, replacing the hotel beds. However, summer islong gone and we are still using the 40 overflow bedsin the Bond Hill shelter, and occasionally, we stillhave to use hotel rooms.If you are interested in helping to reduce familyhomelessness in Cincinnati, please consider joiningour Speakers Bureau. Raising community awarenessabout the number of homeless families experiencinghomelessness, and the impact on both parentsand children, is the first step in solving this issue.Bethany House staff cannot do this alone — we needyour help. Training is provided and you will meetwonderful people as well as make a difference inyour community. Please contact Susan Schiller atsschiller@bhsinc.org or 513.557.2410 for additionalinformation.
BOARD OF DIRECTORSOFFICERSRobert J. Inkrot, PresidentCarolyn K. Washburn, Vice PresidentM. Gail Myers, SecretarySusan M. Dyer, TreasurerDIRECTORSH. Kim BairdDonald L. BrownLucy A. CraneRoss A. CrawfordJamie S. EasterlingJackqueline D. GrantSteven D. HengeholdSr. Lynn Heper, SCCatherine A. KitchinSean G. MullinsAlbert C. SmithermanRobie K. SuggsAmanda R. TooleIan A. Van HandelCarole C. WilliamsNahamani D. YisraelLEADERSHIP TEAMSusan S. Schiller, Executive DirectorMary Bennett-Brown, Human ResourceDirectorPeg Dierkers, Shelter OperationsDirectorKelly K. Freyler, Finance DirectorTaryn R. Frymire, LSW, HousingDirectorGwendolyn M. Green, MEd, LSW,Shelter DirectorDeanna L. Powell, DevelopmentDirectorOUR MISSION Bethany House Servicesempowers homeless and at-risk familieswith the solutions to achieve housingstability and long-term self-sufficiency.OUR VISION To live in a communitywhere all families have a place tocall home and no one spends a nightwithout shelter.CORE VALUES Respect, Empowerment,Integrity, Excellence, Collaboration andHospitality.2DEAR FRIENDS,Thank you!The saying, “words cannot express,” has been sotrue at Bethany House throughout this entire year, andperhaps they are especially pertinent to the holidays. Itis impossible to communicate how grateful we are forthe generosity of so many.We have been blessed with donations from every cornerof our community — families, churches, corporate groups, scout troops,organizations, grade school students, high school students, and yes, evenpreschoolers.Some people chose to hold donation drives and others participatedin our “Adopt-a-Family” program. Others sent cash or brought foodand served meals. Whatever you did, we are grateful. Your generoussupport has come at a time of great need at Bethany House. Openinga 5th shelter in June has been costly and challenging, but necessary tocare for all of the Cincinnati’s families who had no place else to turn.You provided safety, food, and all necessities for Cincinnati’s poorestfamilies, but you also brought them smiles, joy, and hope at the holidaysand throughout the year.We are so blessed to have your support! Our sincerest thanks andappreciation to each donor and volunteer who made the holidaysbrighter for our children and their parents.SusanSusan S. SchillerExecutive DirectorTwo New VansSpecial thanks to the Heidt Family Foundation for their donation of twovans! The vans are in continuous use transporting clients between ourfour off-site shelters and the Fairmount hub, delivering donations andsupplies to all sites, apartment searches, moving families to their newapartments,and so muchmore! We aregrateful toJulie and RobHeidt for theirgenerosity andfor helpingour familiesget one stepcloser tohome.
A Record Year!This past year Bethany House provided services to more families than ever before in our 36-yearhistory. In 2018, we provided shelter to 302 families—that represents 1,174 individuals, 788 werechildren! In 2018, we provided housing/rental assistance and case management to 315 families—that represents 1,157 individuals, 782 children!Bethany House is the only “family” shelter that takes “overflow.” We do this because of the legacywe have been given—to ensure no family is left on the street. Despite the increase in familiesserved, we did not get additional funding to add staff. We are extremely proud of our employeesfor their dedication and commitment to our mission and our families.Cincinnati Recognizes Bethany House StaffJANICE CLAY RECEIVES THE BUDDY GRAYLIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD.SUSAN SCHILLER RECEIVES CINCINNATI’SHUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR AWARDJanice Clay, Assistant Shelter Director, has spent alifetime helping others. She has dedicated her careerto social justice for the betterment of all our lives,particularly the low income and homeless communityin Greater Cincinnati. Janice's work never ends.Night or day, she welcomes the homeless familiesthat arrive at Bethany House's doors.Susan Schiller,ExecutiveDirector, washonored duringthe AnnualState of theCity meeting,and awardedwith the city’sHumanitarianAward by MayorJohn Cranley.Janice was recognized for her dedication andcommitment to those less fortunate at the GreaterCincinnati Homeless Coalition Annual Dinner andAwards Ceremony in December. The Buddy GrayLifetime Achievement Award is the HomelessCoalition’s most prestigious award, named afterCincinnati’stireless advocatefor the poor.p Janice Clay and her LifetimeAchievement AwardBethany Houseis grateful toJanice for herdedication,her heart ofcompassion, andher many yearsof service tothe community.Thank you,Janice, andcongratulationson the well–deserved award!Mayor Cranleystated thatSchiller wasone of the“strongest,smartest,and mostcompassionatep Mayor John Cranley presents theHumanitarian of the Year Award tovoices whenSusan Schillerhomelessnessconsumed thehearts and minds of our city this summer.” Addingthat she “acted quickly to ensure beds were availableto all on the street, and advocated for the actualneeds of the homeless.” Susan works tirelessly tohelp “break the cycle of family homelessness in ourcity, and wants to ensure that every family has aplace to call home.”Congratulations, Susan! Thank you for yourcompassion and dedication to helping bring morefamilies one step closer to home.Bethany House Welcomes New Board MembersWorking to advance the independence and housing stability of homeless families, Bethany House is proud toannounce the following new Board members:JACKQUELINE D. GRANT, Manager, Revenue Cycle Customer Service, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterNAHAMANI D. YISRAEL, Community Relationship Manager, West End Area Revitalization and ManagementConsultant, Greater Cincinnati Microenterprise Initiative3
Scripps Center GivesBethany House is grateful to everyone in the ScrippsCenter for selecting us as one of three local nonprofit agencies to support through the first everScripps Center Gives! Along with representativesfrom Freestore Foodbank and Lighthouse Youth &Family Services, Susan Schiller, Executive Directorat Bethany House is photographed receiving thedonation to Bethany House. Thank you to The E.W.Scripps Company and Mayerson Foundation for makinga difference in the lives of local families.BecomeAmbassadorsSo many people in our community don’t know familyhomelessness exists, so we love when our supportersturn into ambassadors. Bridgetown Finer Meats (BFM)is one of those businesses who has shared theirsupport of Bethany House over the years with theircustomers.BFM delivers fruit and vegetables weekly, the teenswho work the pick-up line for the Lenten Fish Frydonate their tips, and owner Richard Hoehn continuesthe tradition of his mother-in-law Alberta Mechley’sChristmas for Jesus’ Poor by donating to BethanyHouse every year.If you would like to be an ambassador forBethany House and share our mission and ourwork with families experiencing homelessness,please contact Development Director Deanna Powellat dpowell@bhsinc.org or 513.557.2214.p Members from United Way’s Herbert Brown Society serveddinner at the Fairmount shelter.4Volunteers Bring Awards toBethany HouseAn award fora vegetablegarden? Yes,thanks to theWestern HillsGarden Club(WHGC),the BethanyHouse garden received state and national awards inrecognition for the positive impact the Fairmountgarden has on our families!Bethany House received the Garden Therapy Award,presented annually by the Garden Club of Ohio,Inc. for the best work in institutions or privatehomes by a club. BHS also received the OverallWinner Award from National Garden Clubs, Inc. forEdible Gardening-Certificate of Merit and 100.00for the most outstanding garden of edibles (fruits,vegetables, edible flowers) grown by a club.Our sincere thanks to women of the WHGC forplanting and nurturing our garden and for planningthe “garden to table” dinners for our children andmoms each summer.An 11 Year-Old’s Birthday PartyFor her 11th birthday,Madysen Abel-Kellyinvited nearly 50 of herfriends to her birthdayparty, but told them shedidn’t need any gifts.Madysen asked herguests to bring suppliesto donate to BethanyHouse instead. Over570 items, like cleaningproducts, kitchenitems, school suppliesand bedding, weredonated by her guests.Thank you, Madysenand friends!Dear workers at the BethanyHouse homeless shelter,I got supp lies for youinstead of birthday presentsbecause I have everythingI need and thought thatothers needed some thingsmore than me.Madysen Abel-Kellyp Students from the recently combined school, Mercy McAuleyHigh School, spent several days volunteering at BHS.
Memorials and Tributes SupportBethany House MissionBethany House Services Memorials and Tributes allowyou to express your support, respect, gratitude, or lovethrough a gift that honors an individual while furtheringthe mission of Bethany House Services. Gifts can bemade in celebration of a special event, such as abirthday or anniversary, in honor of an achievement orin memory of a loved one. When your gift is received,an acknowledgment will be sent in your name to theindividual you are honoring or the family of the personremembered. All gifts will also be acknowledged in theBethany House newsletter.Thanks to All!Music by The Mistics, fine wines, craft beers,and dinner and dessert by the bite, made the15th Annual “Ales to Zinfandels” event a bigsuccess. Bethany House Executive Director2018Susan Schiller shared the challenges ofopening a fifth location to shelter the increasein families in 2018 and thanked supporters forhelping families make the journey to stablehousing and self-sufficiency.Memorials and Tributes receivedJanuary 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018IN MEMORYMany thanks to our “Ales to Zinfandels” Raffle Committee:Kelly Carrier, Megan McCuen, Gail Myers, Sylvia Osterday,Julie Ross and Peggy Scherzinger.p Guests enjoyed dancing, an auction, a raffle, and Wall of Wine to support homelessfamilies.SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR “ALES TO ZINFANDELS” SPONSORSPRESENTING SPONSORGOLD SPONSORSTRACY ANDDAVE DAVISBRONZE SPONSORSKIM ANDLAURIEBAIRDPATRON SPONSORS5Leonard C. BabbKate Babb ShoneClare Stephens BetzTerri and John WoodPatrice BoozeDiane AddanteGeorge and Ellan BatavickMonique BertuzziMary and Glenn BoebingerWendy CarrickerMarian CollinsJeanne and Brian ConneryElizabeth ContiJeannie Dietrick and BrianEasterlingJoanne HaagCarol HorneKathy HorningRobert and Janet InkrotThomas and Tara KilcoyneCathy LewisMary Pat MarcelloCathy McCormickNancy and Bob MeekDeen MeloroJoyce MinklerOhio Valley Women’s ClubAmy PhillipsMary A. PierceLori RockerRocky Fork Sailing ClubLinda A. RossConstance SeiterDeb StrahanoskiJohn SkinnerClaire BoydSusan EberleLydia BrinkerStephen and Lea BrinkerRobert and Janet InkrotEdna BrinkmanMr. Thomas E. Brinkman, Sr.Baby BroderickJessica WeberLois BroermanSusan and Mike SchillerJames ClayRobert and Janet InkrotSusan and Michael SchillerCamden and Maxwell DeanDan and Loretta DeanTherese DeanMelissa and Dale HendersonMarie DombrowskiSusan EberleLeona FisherJulie EvansKathleen GreenNancy and Frank ClarkBert GroteSusan Schiller and MikeSchillerSusan Kisker HadleyEarl and Eileen KiskerAnne “Fritzi” HeidtRobert and MaxineAlexanderEllie AllenLois BallouDavid BarnumBrad BeaboutJB BuseLydia ChantilasCincinnati BengalsCincinnati MuseumCenterRobert and BrynneColettiJoan ComisarMichael and NancyConatonJohn and Virginia CorsiniDavid and Emile DresslerOlga DuarteStewart and EllenDunskerE.W. Scripps Co.Jean EngelhartJoyce FlemingRichard and Gloria ForsteDeborah FoxRoger E. FriedmannRodney and Vallie GeierThomas and LucilleGerdesBrian and Helen HeekinJohn and Sharon HeidtRev. Daniel S.Hendrickson, S.J.Warren and MarjorieHinschJeff and Karen HockSteve and Amy HolterDouglas and MelanieHyndenRobert and Janet InkrotJulia JacksonJP Morgan ChaseHelen KereiakesDan and Kathy KirstenRichard and Nancy KlusRobert and LindaKohlheppRaymond and ChristineKronerRita KuetemeyerTerry and Barbara MartinMBIA Capital Advisors,LLCMichael and MaryMcGrawMercy HealthMercy Memorial HospitalMike Allen’s Heating &Electric, Inc.Timothy and BarbaraMooneyTeresa MussioDaniel and Gail NurreOrthopaedic Consultantsof CincinnatiJames and Kit PetriconeMichael PfisterRobert PrintzSally PutnamAldo and Lynne ReginelliJeffrey and Joyce RichMichael and Tricia RoddyGeorge and Joan RohdeRusconi FamilyAnthony and PatriciaSalemKurt and Kathy SchiblerSusan and MichaelSchillerZell SchulmanLarry and Ronda SheakleyRobert and Pam SibcyLisa SiegelSingla FamilySusanne Slaughter
28 years ago, three homeless children died ina fire in our community. Ever since, Cincinnatiand Northern Kentucky have joined forces toraise money to feed homeless children.You are invited to continue the traditionof celebrating Mardi Gras and supportingthe thousands of homeless children in theGreater Cincinnati area.MANY THANKS TO OUR2018 MARDI GRAS SPONSORSKINGQUEENHeidt FamilyFoundationUNISTRUTMondelez InternationalJESTERCheviot Charitable Foundation Driehaus InsuranceDunnhummby USA, LLC First Financial BankMesser Construction PNC Bank Sisters of CharityTotal Quality Logistics Wiley Law FirmSPECIAL THANKS TO TITLE SPONSORMercedes Benz of Ft. Mitchell and to the Marge andCharles J. Schott Foundation for their generous sponsorshipsupporting homeless children at all three agencies.p The Northern Kentucky Restaurant Association andMercedes Benz Fort Mitchell present a check to BethanyHouse, Brighton Center and Welcome House.Urban Health Project Benefits Bethany House and UC Medical StudentsEach summer, second year students from the UCCollege of Medicine participate in the Urban HealthProject designed to provide medical students withexperience dealing with underserved populations.These experiences deepen their understanding ofthe needs of vulnerable members of the communityand how best to provide services in ways that will beaccepted and effective.In 2018, Rachel Podell and Jasmine Prince workedwith moms in Bethany shelters to identify what themoms considered to be their most pressing medicalinformation needs. The responses overwhelmingly fellinto the category of Women’s Health. The medicalstudents developed a curriculum based on the needsof the moms and presented it during Life Skillsclasses. These classes were so successful that, at therequest of the moms, they were continued after thestudents returned to school.Denise Hill, Bethany Child/Parent Coordinator, statesthat “The curriculum was extremely successful and6the students were able to demonstrate that theiraudience, homeless mothers, who are perhaps thehighest risk group for adverse health outcomes,increased their knowledge as a result of theirpresentations. The students also developed andimplemented a health fair to provide screenings andhealth counseling for both the mothers and children.p Bethany House congratulates Rachel Podell (left) and JasminePrince (right), who were awarded one of the three “Committed toCommunity” awards recognizing the work of the Urban Health Projectstudents over the summer. Jasmine was selected as one of the twostudent speakers at the Medical Center’s Urban Health Project dinner.
IN MEMORY continuedAnne "Fritzi" HeidtJohn and Carolyn SrofeDon and Cathy StegmanDr. Garth StevensWalter and PatriciaTimpermanWellington OrthopedicSports MedicineLawrence and PatriciaWhalenWilliam Wiebe andDeborah LoganMr. Eugene B. & ClaireWilgerDeborah WilsonJeffrey and Linda WylerPaul and Marianne ZookJoel HerzigChristopher and NancyMeierPeggy JoyceJames and Paulette JoyceMrs. Lillian KrasnanskySusan EberleEverret C. LatimerRobert LatimerAaron LebowBeckie TobianskiYvonne KeithAmy PhillipsAnne LongoMichael & MargaretHinzmanRobin Plowden LoveBlake PlowdenLawrence LudwigJack and Lisa PhippsRosemary MalloniBarbara AntellLisa GlennHarold and Mary GregoryDavid HaagEd and Mary Lou ManegoldTom and Janie SchaeferSusan and Michael SchillerBethel Ceramic FriendsMarilyn, Emily, Bill,Joanne, ChristyKen MartinLisa TaylorChris MayerRobert and Donna MayerMary NiescierTom and Janie SchaefferAnita OttenThe Brinkman SistersSara BrueningLinda CorcoranSally HelmchenEdward and Mary HerbersFrank E. HuddleRichard and SusanPohlkampJennifer ReuterPauline ReuterChris and Kayla RickelsMary D. SchweitzerMatt and Jill SiryJack RichterLaurie and Edward ExsonEvelyn SchehlEd and Mary Lou ManegoldErin SchultzGregory & Sherry SchultzKate Stephens WoodTerri and John WoodErwin and Wilma StockStock Insurance AgencyHoward ThiemannSusan and Michael SchillerGloria WasslerDr. Earl Kisker & EileenKiskerSean WilkersonLueada SelletTom VandewaterAnonymousTHE 25 TH ANNUALBETHANY HOUSE SERVICESCelebrating our 25th Annual Golf ClassicMother Nature delivered a perfect day for our golfers as they hit thecourse at the 25th Annual Golf Classic held on June 18, at Heritage GolfClub in Mason. Special thanks to Funky’s Catering Events for donatinga delicious dinner,to Mike McConnell,Honorary Chair, DaveArmbruster, BrianCombs, Scott Sloanand iHeart Media fortheir amazing support,and to Geoff TorbeckPhotography forcapturing many funmemories.Special thanks to oursponsors, golfers andvolunteers who madethe day a successand to our greatcommittee: T.J. Davis,Sean Mullins, JaimeEasterling, and Ian VanHandel.p Women’s Winning Golf Team from left: Sherry Williams,Julie Heidt, Amy Holter, and Ginny CorsiniPRESENTING SPONSORCART SPONSORFOOD & BEVERAGE SPONSORSAlpine Valley Water Funky’s Catering EventsLaRosa’s Pizzeria PepsiCoBIRDIE SPONSORSDEFY Wood Stain Johnson Investment Counsel Platte Architecture Design Rendigs Fry Kiely & Dennis R.G. McGraw Insurance/FifthThird Bank Total Quality LogisticsBEVERAGE SPONSORSLaurie and Kim Baird Jostin Construction, Inc Messer KMK LawEvergreen Advisors, Inc. Greg Woods- Northwestern Mutual WealthManagement Company Mike HaverkampHensley Custom Build GroupIN HONOR7Dave and Carolyn AbelKathie StitakRick and Berle BernatTom and Janie SchaeferBHS Case ManagersBernita BellIN HONOR continuedAggie BrockmanJoanna LounsburyWalter and Jackie CarrollDavid and Marilyn WempeJulie ChapmanBarbara Poppe and WilliamFaithJoseph David De CewErnie and Suzanne ChaffinJoyce Ferrell, DaunLameier, and Shirley YoungMary SchweitzerGodSukhchain and Sukhbir GillKathy GoetzCatherine Goetz, ConnallyEdozien, & SophiaThe Groh FamilyGary GrohTed and Marlene HardmanGreg Hyland / CooperElectricSr. Lynn HeperMary Pat RaupachRichard HoehnChristmas for Jesus’ PoorTom HuberJudith BanksSylvia EdwardsHebert KrombholzLes and Kathy LefevreDee MartinRichard and Paula MaxwellE.S. and Sara PaxtonDeborah RenickDouglas and TerryRobinsonA.L. and Pamela SchneiderLaurie Sharrock andDuncan BillingFrances ShepardAlan SwiatekCeline ThielAnnette WeismanJudith WolterJerome and Maria ZangRobert and Janet InkrotRobert BakeRobert and Sherry BakerSusan HartmanDennis Koenig and JaneBabbittJames and Karen LoefflerRichard and Nancy MorrisSusan and Michael SchillerChristine and LouisSchroderMark R. Schroder and MaryJ. Inkrot-SchroderShandra and JustinWilhelmJanet InkrotSusan HartmanThomas and Patty KeckeisMary Lou KernJen HuntThomas KleinbergKelly FreylerDennis KoenigRobert and Janet InkrotRichard PaulsenAnn Paulsen and Al GarnerJulia MasseyDelores M. ThomasBaby ReeseErnie and Sue ChaffinSusan SchillerMargaret DierkersWilliam and JudithNewboldSr. Mary StantonJohanne M. ArmstrongStanley and Sylvia BaimanJerry Wilkerson, Jr. &Cheryl MeadowsLucy and Cassidy WalesIris KelleyCarolyn WashburnJoann HubertShandra & Justin WilhelmJames & Karen LoefflerRobert & Sherry BakerSharon Whitefrom Leroy White
Community Foundations SupportHomeless FamiliesAs we’ve said previously, 2018 was a very challenging yearat Bethany House. We could not have provided so manystruggling families with needed services and provisionswithout the support of the Cincinnati community.The unprecedented number of families in need ofsafety, food, and shelter last year required the additionof a fifth shelter for “overflow.” This shelter had to befurnished — everything from stocking and equipping akitchen, providing laundry detergent, and computers.WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO: The Greater CincinnatiFoundation, the Helen Steiner Rice Fund of the GreaterCincinnati Foundation, SC Ministry Foundation, ScrippsHoward Foundation, Rosenthal Family Foundation, L &L Nippert Charitable Trust, Chemed Foundation, JuniorWomen’s Club of Wyoming, J. Frederick and Helen B.Vogel Charitable Trust, Robert A. and Marian K. KennedyCharitable Trust, Evelyn W. Dunn Charitable Trust, SutphinFamily Foundation, Homan Foundation, Sister Elise Fundof the SC Ministry Foundation, Stella M. Buerger CharitableTrust, Ruth J. and Robert A. Conway Foundation, GeneralMills Hometown Grants, the Galvin Family Fund of theJohnson Charitable Gift Fund, and the United Way for theirsupport of all five shelters and the families working withinthem to regain control of their lives.The children are the hope for their families’ futures, the generation that can break their families’ cycle ofmultigenerational poverty and homelessness. They need a vision of a better life, an education to be able toachieve their goal, and a parent who supports their dreams. Bethany House child/parent programming widensthe horizons of the kids, teaches them to respect themselves and others, and enrolls every child in school. Ourfamily-centered programs also teach effective parenting skills and knowledge of normal behaviors, growth, anddevelopment. KIDZ ZONE ACTIVITIES AND CHILD/PARENT PROGRAMS ARE SUPPORTED BY: Lila L. GallimoreTrust; Guardian Union Savings Bank; Jack J. Smith Charitable Trust, PNC Bank and Karen B. Wachs, Co-Trustees;Summertime Kids; Charles H. Dater Foundation; Chemed Foundation; Sutphin Family Foundation; and TheSpaulding Foundation.TWO FOUNDATIONS SUPPORT BETHANY HOMES, our 24-units of affordable housing. PNC Foundation andFirst Financial Foundation provide funding to update, improve energy efficiency, and maintain the safety andsecurity of the families living in these apartments.We are very grateful to our generous philanthropic community for the compassion and generosity shared withthe families sheltered at Bethany House last year.“What you leave behind is not what is engraved instone monuments, but what is woven into the livesof others.” – PericlesWith a legacy gift, you can make a difference in the life of ahomeless child. For information, contact Deanna Powell at513.557.2214 or dpowell@bhsinc.org8
An (Extra)Ordinary WomanMonique Gilliam, a formerBethany House guest, is partof the book, “(Extra)OrdinaryWomen: Ten InspirationalStories.” Monique’s chapter inthe book highlights the impactBethany House has made onMonique’s life and is truly aninspirational life story. Moniqueanswered a few questions for usabout her life.p Former Bethany shelter guest, MoniqueGilliamWHAT DO YOU THINK MAKESYOUR STORY EXTRAORDINARYAND INSPIRATIONAL?Although many women sharesimilar circumstances, my storyis extraordinary and inspirationalbecause I chose to use my pain forpurpose in hopes of encouragingother women to overcome as Ihave done.HOW DID BETHANY HOUSE HELP YOU ON YOUR JOURNEY?I was lost when I came to Bethany House and being there allowed meto regroup and reassess my goals. Bethany House helped me immenselywith personal support, redirection, and a myriad of resources.WHO ARE SOME OF THE WOMEN WHO HAVE INSPIRED YOUTHROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE?When I think of inspiring women, my mother is always the first to cometo mind. Although my mother has been deceased for nearly 18 years,I am still deeply inspired by her. My mother was my first example ofunwavering strength. All that I am is because of her.WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR YOUR FUTURE?My vision for my future is to create a spacethat continues to empower women, especiallysingle mothers. This space would enablewomen to envision, expand, and re-createwhat it is they’d like to do despite being toldwhat they can’t do.WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHERWOMEN WHO MIGHT BE STRUGGLING ASTHEY WORK TOWARD A BETTER TOMORROW?My advice is to never allow what you’re goingthrough to be an excuse for your downfall.What you are going through doesn’t defineyou. You are your greatest asset, and there’snothing you can’t do. Believe in yourself; therest will fall into place.(Extra)Ordinary Women:Ten Inspirational Stories can be ordered atKiCam Projects.com and Amazon.com.9p Book CoverWhat is HousingFirst?Housing First is a homelessassistance approach that prioritizesproviding permanent housing topeople experiencing homelessness,thus ending their homelessness andserving as a platform from whichthey can pursue personal goals andimprove their quality of life. Thisapproach is guided by the beliefthat people need basic necessitieslike food and a place to live beforeattending to anything less critical,such as getting a job, budgetingproperly, or attending to substanceuse issues. Additionally, HousingFirst is based on the theory thatclient choice is valuable in housingselection and supportive serviceparticipation, and that exercisingthat choice is likely to make aclient more successful in remaininghoused and improving their life.How is Housing First differentfrom other approaches?Housing First does not requirepeople experiencing homelessnessto address all of their problemsincluding behavioral healthproblems, or to graduate througha series of services programsbefore they can access housing.The Housing First approach viewshousing as the foundation for lifeimprovement and enables accessto permanent housing withoutprerequisites or conditions beyondthose of a typical renter.
BETHANY HOUSE SERVICESBethany House Services1841 Fairmount AvenueCincinnati, OH rofit Org.U.S. PostagePAIDCincinnati OHPermit No.70531841AvenueONEFairmountSTEP CLOSERCincinnati, OH 45214Bethany House Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofitorganization. Please direct any commentsconcerning this publication to: Bethany HouseServices, 1841 Fairmount Avenue, Cincinnati,OH 45214. Bethany House Services is an equalopportunity employer and service provider.TO HOMEReturn Service RequestedSUPPORT OUR SPECIAL EVENTSWe need your help to help our families!Save theDates 2019THE 26 TH ANNUALBETHANY HOUSE SERVICESCome Party with us!It is not too late to get your ticketor buy a table and host your friends.28th Annual Culinary CelebrationFat Tuesday, March 56:30 to 10:00 p.m.Northern KentuckyConvention CenterContact Gage Woolley at513.557.2411 or gwoolley@bhsinc.orgMonday, June 3Shotgun Start at NoonLegendary Run Golf CourseFor more information regarding sponsorshipopportunities, to purchase tickets, secure a foursome,or to donate auction items for these special eventssupporting Bethany House, please contact Gage Woolleyat 513.557.2411 or gwoolley@bhsinc.org
apartments, and so much more! We are grateful to Julie and Rob Heidt for their generosity and for helping our families get one step closer to home. 7 Celebrating our 25th Annual Golf Classic Mother Nature delivered a perfect day for our golfers as they hit the course at the 25th Annual Golf
