Lisa Desatnik

I have been fortunate to have made a career out of doing what I love, which is using my communication skills to forge relationships and support of causes that are evoking positive change. I also enjoy working with civic-minded companies and organizations. I’ve earned numerous awards along the way, but my greatest satisfaction comes from knowing my work has helped touch lives in very meaningful ways. For that, I have to thank the dedicated staff and volunteers of so many charitable organizations, events, and civic minded businesses who work day in and day out to fulfill needs. These are the generous people with whom I’ve had the pleasure of working beside. I’ve created and implemented many successful cause-related campaigns and programs such as the award winning Lighthouse Vision Awards and the Collecting for Kids school supply drive. Included among my other past experience is: creating a PR campaign to change the image of newly developed Betts Longworth Historic District, for 8 years coordinating publicity and creative elements of the Inclusion Leadership Awards Event, and creating a PR campaign to help launch the Hidden Treasures CD (tribute to King Records) that resulted in a packed release party. I’ve also worked on numerous other events. Among them - the Appalachian Festival, the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati’s Buddy Walk, the YMCA Salute to Black Achievers, YMCA Character Awards, Greater Cincinnati Alzeimer’s Association Memory Walk, Greater Cincinnati Planned Giving Association’s Voices of Giving Awards and more. Currently I help raise awareness about the positive contributions of the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati, and also continue working with other organizations. My experience includes media relations, planning, volunteer management, copywriting, social networking, events, and coordination of marketing materials. Among the other organizations with whom I have or am currently working are: Inclusion Network, iSPACE,FreeStore/FoodBank, Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Cincinnati Arts & Technology Center, Manuel D. and Rhoda Mayerson Foundation, Lighthouse Youth Services, Accountability and Credibility Together, CRI mental health agency, and more. I’m a past Board member of Children’s International Summer Villages and past member of the leadership team for the local chapter of Public Relations Society of America; and get involved with other volunteer opportunities. An animal lover sharing my home with three birds, I have been studying positive behavior management for many years and enjoy sharing what I’ve learned with others. My pet interest has led me to become a pet columnist for Hyde Park Living.

Paul Miller & Circus Mojo Are Changing Lives Through Smiles

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Paul Miller of Circus Mojo with a student at Williamstown Elementary School

Paul Miller of Circus Mojo with a student at Williamstown Elementary School

His Park Hills neighbors know him as Paul Miller, the family man. But to the greater Tri-State region and in circus circles across the country and abroad, Paul is the former Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey clown who is inspiring people of all ages, abilities and life circumstances to focus on their strengths through circus arts. Paul’s company – Ludlow based Circus Mojo – touches lives in hospitals, boardrooms, workshops, entertainment venues and in their own performance theatre.

Every day is a new opportunity for Paul and his team to foster teamwork, teach life and motor skills, and even encourage youth to stay in school on a path toward their own success.

The picture on the left speaks volumes for the impact of Paul on those whose lives he touches.

Through the Social Circus Foundation’s Circus Scholastic Program, every Tuesday and Wednesday children from low income families attending Ludlow Elementary School and the Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky participate in the afterschool program that includes healthy snacks, homework assistance, and an hour of learning through confidence-building circus skills activities.

Jesse Knuckles, recreation therapist at the Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky, spoke with me about Paul’s impact. This is what he had to say: “In regards to a young man who attended the Circus Mojo group I just recently told another staff member, ‘if Paul Miller was this young man’s therapist we would have had a breakthrough years ago’. I have heard direct quotes from young people participating in Circus Mojo’s Circus Wellness program such as, ‘this is better than being high on drugs’ and ‘I have had a terrible day all I want to do is go to Circus group so I can forget about it all and feel better’.

“Circus Mojo gives our 18 residents something to look forward to each week. The residents here at Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky truly enjoy their time at Circus Mojo. As the Recreation Therapist I enjoy the life lessons and therapeutic value of Circus Mojo. The Circus Wellness program combines physical skills with creative expression to address psychotherapy and personal growth goals including teamwork, leadership, cooperation, trust building, building relationships, self-esteem, coordination, gross & fine motor skills, and focus. I guess you can say we are clowning around for a purpose”

Paul Miller of Circus MojoYoung people with or without parents participate in a variety of Circus Mojo workshops and classes, and the Social Circus Fund provides scholarship assistance to those who cannot afford the cost.

And recently, Circus Mojo took local students on a campus tour of Illinois State University (home of the oldest collegiate circus in the United States).

Some career options that use circus skills including becoming certified as a circus wellness specialist to work in m

Trapeze artists Duo Rose will be performing at Circus Mojo

Trapeze artists Duo Rose will be performing at Circus Mojoedical settings, being an entertainer or speaker, doing social work; and even using the leadership and teamwork skills to being an effective manager or any other career choice.

Speaking of college, May 16 to 18 is Circus Mojo’s second annual International College Circus Festival – a three day event aimed at encouraging young adults to pursue their passion. Circus artists (professional and students) from the United States and across the globe are coming to lead workshops, network, discuss employment and volunteer opportunities, AND participate in a fabulous family-friendly show on Saturday night.

Among the highlights of the show will be beautiful trapeze artists, Duo Rose, winners of 12 international awards. The Show will begin at 8:00 p.m. on May 17 at Circus Mojo (322 Elm Street, Ludlow, Kentucky; 41016). Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for children under 12; and $25 for VIP tickets. All proceeds from the show will benefit the Social Circus Fund, a nonprofit foundation that is the clearinghouse for scholarships and to educate and study the application of circus for social change and in medical settings.

Please visit Circus Mojo’s website to learn more at http://www.CircusMojo.com

About the Social Circus Foundation:

The Social Circus Fund is a new nonprofit whose focus is on using the circus as tools to work with underserved populations for social change and in medical settings.

It has three main programs:

1-   Approximately one-third (1/3) of the Foundation’s attention will be focused on using circus to improve the lives of the mentally and physically disabled.

2-   Another approximately one-third (1/3) of the Foundation’s attention will be focused on vocational training. The Foundation will provide job training and skill sets focused on the circus industry to the underprivileged in an effort to give them the tools they need to sustain livelihood and be productive members of society.

3-   The remaining one-third (1/3) of the Foundation’s attention will be focused on education. Specifically, the foundation will study the impact of social circus in medical settings and as a tool for social change. The data collected will be used to study impact of circus on an individual’s mental and physical health, and to support social circus work in group homes, detention centers, and medical facilities.

 

Sycamore Township Students’ Art Auctioned At Cincinnati Zoo

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Marissa Thorp  is a student at Edwin H. Greene Intermediate School in Sycamore Township

Marissa Thorp is a student at Edwin H. Greene Intermediate School in Sycamore Township

Congratulations to these Edwin H. Greene Intermediate fifth graders, two of many other students of Paula Webb whose barrels were on display and then auctioned off at the Cincinnati Zoo last Thursday! Paula had challenged her students to paint rain barrels that promoted water conservation efforts. Then they were judged along with 200 other design submissions from across the region – and every barrel by Edwiin H. Greene Intermediate students was chosen.

Once the designs were complete, the student barrels were judged by members of the Save Local Waters organization and the Hamilton County Soil and Conservation District, along with more than 200 other design submissions from across the Tri-state, to see which barrels would be displayed at the Cincinnati Zoo throughout April.

Niyati Kanchan, a student at Ewin H. Greene Intermediate School in Sycamore Township, painted a "Rainforest Riches" rain barrel.

Niyati Kanchan with her painted barrel

Every barrel by an Edwin H. Greene Intermediate student was chosen for the display.

 

 

 

 

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