Lisa Desatnik
Talbert House Is Celebrating Dads
Teri Nau of Cincinnati nonprofit, Talbert House, got in touch with me to let me know about their free event for families on Sunday. It’s all about celebrating DADs and creating a bonding day of laughter, fun and friendship for parents and kids.
(Please click on the image twice to enlarge for details.)
Teri told me the idea for the Celebration event came about after their luncheon last year honoring Fathers-of-the-Year. They were looking for an opportunity to reach out to more dads to let them know of the agency’s Fatherhood Project, a program that works with men in strengthening their connection and involvement in the lives of their children.
Talbert House is a community-wide nonprofit network of social services with over 30 proven programs focusing on prevention, assessment, treatment and reintegration. Each year, the agency helps 26,000 men, women and children across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky overcome adversity to become healthy and productive citizens through its programs in community corrections, mental health, substance abuse and welfare-to-work.
40 Cincinnati Students Received Project GRAD Scholarships
It’s so great to see organizations, volunteers and professionals all putting their energy together to help young people dream and realize personal success.
Project GRAD is a nonprofit partner of Cincinnati Public Schools whose goal it is to help students succeed in the classroom and in life. More than 2000 students have strengthened their academic skills, their relationships with parents and their self confidence as a result the organization’s programs.
And recently, forty 2011 graduates of Western Hills University High School were honored by Project GRAD with Rising Star Scholarships totaling $134,000. Scholarship recipients had a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average, completed the college recommended academic requirements and participated in two Project GRAD Summer Institutes.
Congratulations to them for all of their accomplishments…and thank you to organizations like Project GRAD for encouraging them to be their best.
People Working Cooperatively Volunteers Help Most Vulnerable
Such a great project. Repair Affair is People Working Cooperatively’s (PWC) annual spring volunteer event, providing home repairs and modifications that enable low-income, elderly and residents with disabilities to remain safely in their homes. For a day individuals, businesses and community groups help a PWC client (with supervision from a trained professional) with home repairs that would otherwise be unaffordable.
Our community is so giving that this year 800 people signed up to help 135 PWC clients. In fact an extra day had to be added to accommodate everybody’s generosity.
Repair Affair was developed by People Working Cooperatively in 1983 as a free outreach program to help homeowners who are often the most vulnerable to keep their homes safe and habitable. Presented by Home Depot and sponsored by the City of Cincinnati, the event was held across the Tri-State in greater Cincinnati, northern Kentucky and Indiana.
Would you like to help? PWC also has a fall event called Prepare Affair where volunteers will help people with services from raking leaves to cleaning gutters and other small winter preparation tasks.
A Young Man’s Legacy Is Creating Lifelong Summer Memories For Kids
Working with the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati, I am so fortunate to be continually inspired by the actions of those with whom I work and get to know. Lois Fischer is the office manager of the Clippard Family YMCA. She is someone with a huge heart and a passion for kids.
You can imagine the devastation for her – and her family – about five years ago when they tragically lost Andrew far too soon. Still in high school, Andrew loved life. He loved to learn and to share, to explore and to experience. All of those things he did through camp…
And so, through camp, Lois and her family want to carry on Andrew’s legacy. They created Andrew’s Kids Scholarship Fund to give kids in their area whose families otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford it, those life changing moments at YMCA Camp Ernst. This year with the help of the YMCA, family and friends, they raised enough to provide 14 children with scholarships. I was there on the night that Lois handed on the certificates.
Below is a group photo (of those who could be there) and a video I created about it.
People Who Inspire Me: Ann Lightfoot
It’s been awhile since I’ve written a ‘People Who Inspire Me’ post but you’re going to start seeing more of them as I make it a regular feature. I have been so blessed to have had so many truly wonderful people come into my life and I’d like to share some of their stories.
I can’t even remember how long ago it has been since Ann and I first met, but one thing that has always meant a lot to me is how welcoming she has always made me feel. Her smile is absolute genuine. She loves life and gives with all of her heart. Sadly I don’t get to see Ann very much (except online through Facebook and Twitter). I look forward to every opportunity to get together.
Below is a little bit about Ann’s story.
What you do professionally?
I’m a human resources/payroll/social media/risk manager for Harper Oil Products, Inc. and Harper Properties, Inc. dba HOP Shops and DQ Grill & Chill of Walton.
I’m also the assistant/photographer/partner (APP) with Christiaan Todd Photography. We capture a variety of images: Art, Weddings, Reunions, Graduations, Posed Shots, Action Shots, Performances, Tournaments, Organizations, Portraits, Head Shots, Pets, People, Commercial Photos, Product Photos, Ads, Reports, Brochures, Magazines, Exhibits, Newsletters, Presentations, Events, etc. By the way, you can find their Facebook link here.
What are your simple pleasures in life?
I love to be with people I care about, as well as meeting new people. One of my favorite things to do is listen. I enjoy listening to the sounds of the country like birds chirping, raindrops, creeks trickling, owls hooting, cows mooing, trees rustling, cicada sounds, and big bull frogs croaking.
Who is your role model and what have you learned from him/her?
I have learned the most about leadership from John Maxwell who has written more than 50 books on the subject.
I also learned a lot about physical strength, emotional strength and strength of purpose from the United States Army.
What inspires you to be who you are?
People that come into my life that are having a hard time but are still being positive. They inspire me.
What is one of your life lessons you’d like to share?
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
What about this day has made it a good day?
This day is good because the people I love are doing well. We have family excited about having a baby and some are excited about getting married soon. I’m putting people to work which is always a great feeling. I enjoyed smiles and laughter with my fiancé Christiaan, and my two daughters TODAY. “Enjoying every moment”
