What a Year

2021 has been another historic year. The challenge of COVID 19 continued to impact our operation and we are pleased to report that we minimized the virus at the Center and continued to provide a safe and healthy place for our clients. As we look back at the year; there are people and operating philosophies that have led us through. Thank you foremost to the people on our team who worked 24-7 to ensure a warm environment to the people who rely upon us.

 

Our Values and what matters to us:

 

IGNITE

Ignite the human spirit through by health, hope and dignity.

PROVIDE

Provide high quality health care.

DEMONSTRATE

Demonstrate mercy and compassion for all.

CONNECT

Connect the individual to the Greater Cincinnati/Tristate community through case management.

SERVE

Serve, collaborate and educate within our internal and external communities.

We live these values every day.  We do so because of the most important value of all; Mercy.

MERCY

Serve those in need without question or judgment of one’s worthiness.

Now more than ever.

 

Our Volunteers:

 The pandemic crisis has caused us all to rethink volunteer opportunities. Despite having to close access (during some parts of the year) to visitors our volunteers have creatively continued the volunteer meal program. It is sort of a drive through in reverse! Several groups and individuals  provided grocery gift cards to assist the Center in accessing perishable items. Some have taken on the weekly grocery run. Drives for clothing and personal care items have continued.

 

Our clients:

 We exist for our clients. One client, T, bravely told us her story.

Our client is named T. She has recovered and is healthy. She left the Center to move to stable housing and a job. She is a portrait of the work that we do. She is eager, positive, enthusiastic and well. She received (earlier in the year) her round of COVID vaccines. T is excited about starting the next chapter of her life.

“I had to learn that this was not like a shelter.  I prepared for the worst, but when I first got here, I was greeted with respect and courtesy. The staff was hands on and was amazing from the receptionist on down. It has been great and has given me time to heal physically, mentally and spiritually. I was able to do some training classes and get some certifications done. It’s been an awesome experience for me,” T said.

 

Our honorees for Transformation Awards 2021:

Impact 100

Impact 100 empowers women to dramatically improve lives by collectively funding significant grants that make a lasting impact in our community. Their vision is to be the model organization which enables each woman to realize the power and reward of her giving.

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread serves the needs of Cincinnati residents and those who frequent the area. Its vision is that every person in the Greater Cincinnati community has sufficient access to food, essential social services, and a safe place of belonging.

The Chertock Family

In 2004, Michael Chertock joined the faculty of the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music, where he is currently chair of the Piano Department. Chertock is well known on both the national and international state. Along with benefit concerts for Habitat for Humanity, the Michael Chertock and Friends Holiday Concerts on behalf of Center for Respite Care have been held since 2014.

Mary Ellen Tobe-Roberts

When the Roberts’ returned to Cincinnati in 2016, they became parishioners of St Francis De Sales. The church introduced them to philanthropic opportunities that included The Center for Respite Care. She felt the warmth and compassion and heard a loud message that said, “this is the place that I want to be.” Her time commitment and gifts to the Center have made her a key volunteer.

 

Our community:

Our relationships have contributed to our expansion to OTR and our rise in visibility. Our success is directly tied to our community.

Enter Channel 12, arguably the most generous media outlet in the region. It started with Liz Bonis and her interest in the work that we do. She lovingly understood our mission, our hopes and our dreams. Like us, she cared for the individuals who came through our doors. For nearly ten years, Liz has both covered our work and been our annual emcee for the Transformation Awards. For two years, during the same time period Meghan Mongillo was our emcee and demonstrated the same level of caring and interest.

We then were fortunate to be able to work with FC Cincinnati. This is thanks to FC Cincinnati President Jeff Berding and head of marketing Kate Solomon. This commenced while the team was still located at UC and continues as our strongest spokesperson ally. Jack Stern, goalkeeper coach, new dad and truly committed Cincinnatian continues to serve as a multiyear friend to the Center.

 

A huge thank you:

Martha Schueler and Diana Klinedinst are co-chairs of and central to the success of the Transformation Awards.(see 2021 honorees above) The women choose honorees who reflect the values of the Center. They are also nearly single handedly responsible for stellar development results.

Together, they quietly have ensured a solid revenue stream and put the work of the organization on the map.

 

Thank you too all.

Have a warm holiday season.

We couldn’t do it without you.