Lisa Desatnik
Cincinnati Rotary Club Opens Jefferson Award Nominations
It is such a wonderful gift when people gift selflessly to enhance lives and their community. So often those individuals do their work quietly, without need or want for recognition. Still, their efforts most certainly are worthy of being honored.
One special program aimed at doing just that is the Rotary Club of Cincinnati Jefferson Award (with leading sponsor, the American Institute of Public Service (AIPS). The Jefferson Awards pay homage to Greater Cincinnati volunteers who have gone above and beyond.
In partnership with the Enquirer Media and Local 12, The Rotary Club is looking to recognize ordinary people who do extraordinary things without the expectation of recognition or reward. These are individuals that are changing and improving our community, while addressing an important issue facing our area.
The Jefferson Award, which is recognized as the Nobel Prize for public service, was created in 1972 by Cincinnati’s own U.S. Senator Robert Taft and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and is presented annually to recipients in more than 90 cities in the United States. The AIPS’s mission is to encourage and honor individuals for their achievements and contributions through public and community service.
On March 13, 2014, the Rotary Club of Cincinnati will host the annual Jefferson Award presentation luncheon during their weekly meeting and will announce this year’s winner. The winner will then go to Washington, D.C. in June to represent our region for the National Award. The nomination form is available in a printable and online application on the following two websites: The Rotary Club of Cincinnati: Rotary Club of Cincinnati Jefferson Award Printable Application and Enquirer Media: Enquirer Jefferson Award Online Application.
Deadline for nominations is 3:00 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2014.
Please click here to download a nomination form: Jefferson Award NominationForm 2014
ABOUT CINCINNATI ROTARY CLUB: The Rotary Club of Cincinnati is the preeminent professional service organization for men and women, supporting children, particularly those with disabilities throughout the Tri-State area through its partnerships with Stepping Stones/Camp Allyn and the Roselawn Condon School. The Rotary Club of Cincinnati also supports the global effort to eradicate polio worldwide through its PolioPlus program. For more information about the Rotary Club of Cincinnati, go to www.cincinnatirotary.org. Questions? Call The Rotary Club of Cincinnati at (513) 421-1080.
Over 550 Animals Looking For Forever Homes At My Furry Valentine
Have you been wanting to add a furry companion to your household? You are about to have one of the largest selections from which to choose at My Furry Valentine, February 15 (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and 16 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). It will be held at FLEXI USA in West Chester, Ohio.
The mega-adoption event founded and led by Phodographer Carolyn Evans brings together dozens of Cincinnati area animal rescue groups with a common goal of finding homes for more than 550 animals.
In addition to adoptable pets, the event features: family friendly games, face painting, arts & crafts, a rescued farm animal petting zoo, and a variety of pet vendors. Parking and admission are free. Pet adoption fees and applications vary. All pet adopters will receive: a professional photo of their new pet, goody bag overflowing with free pet supplies, toys, treats, coupons, an Alcott adventure leash and collar set, and 1 large bag of IAMS pet food.
I attended the event last year and it was such a great site to not only see so many dogs with great love to give, but also seeing so many people walking out with new found companions.
If you are planning on going, I want to encourage you to give thought before hand as to the best dog for your life. I have a list of some considerations on my dog training blog at http://www.SoMuchPETential.com.
Santa Maria Community Services Expands Help To Hispanic Families
Santa Maria Community Services, a Cincinnati nonprofit organization serving the west side, has been helping families with various challenges with educational tools and resources to help themselves for 116 years.
Many of those who have benefitted have been of Hispanic heritage, and the need for Santa Maria services has never been greater.
According to the 2010 census, the Hispanic population grew by 4.2 percent in West Price Hill, 12.3 percent in Lower Price Hill and 6.9 percent in East Price Hill. In the 45205 ZIP code, only 24 percent of children under 5 are enrolled in preschool or childcare programs; instead, children of immigrants are more likely to be in the care of family, friends or neighbors.
Santa Maria’s programs help bridge the gap between recent immigrants and important educational and developmental resources. More than 95 percent of the Hispanic families served by the organization’s Promoting Our Preschoolers (POP) enroll their children in preschool and are committed to finding the best schools for their kids.
Now, with a $127,000 grant from The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Santa Maria will be able to serve an additional 40 Hispanic children, many of whose families have immigrated from Guatemala and live below the poverty line.
The new bilingual home visitor will work with POP and another agency program, Family Child Care Providers Network (FCC), that connect parents and caregivers to preschool and kindergarten programs, early child development resources and ongoing peer support. The home visitor will work specifically with the increasing Spanish-speaking community in Price Hill, an initiative that represents the first organized effort in Cincinnati to reach the Hispanic child-care population.
In 2012, Santa Maria’s POP program served 196 children ages 3-5 and 218 parents and caregivers, comprising white/Caucasian (including Latino), African-American, multicultural and Asian clients. Hispanic children enrolled in the POP program increased their Developmental Indicators for the Assessment of Learning (DIAL) scores by 14 percentile points.
The FCC Providers Network has served 50 providers and 150 children in the past year; 45 of those children also have been involved in a kindergarten-readiness project.
Through home visits, Santa Maria staff members also connect parents and caregivers to resources such as English classes, financial literacy classes and health education.