RESOURCES AND ORGANIZATIONS
AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL AND RESOURCE CENTER (AACRC)
The African American Cultural & Resource Center (AACRC) supports the mission of the university by recruiting, retaining, encouraging the successful matriculation and enhancing the growth and development of students at the University of Cincinnati. However, the AACRC’s major focus is to address the academic, social, spiritual and cultural needs of the African American student population. The AACRC is committed to placing students at the core of our service through empowerment and opportunity, as well as access to superior levels of resources. While they aim to foster the students’ growth and development, as an urban educational institution, the influence of the AACRC does not stop at the perimeter of the campus. The AACRC has a commitment to connect campus, community and continent. Through their various programs and services, they foster community relationships, support community service initiatives, establish and maintain community partnerships and encourage their students to make a difference in the community in which they live. The AACRC pledges to reach out and connect beyond our primary constituencies while also cultivating a relationship with our prestigious faculty, staff and administration. www.uc.edu/aacrc.html
CARACOLE
Caracole’s mission is to reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS through housing, care, and prevention. Founded in 1987, Caracole House was the first licensed adult care facility in Ohio for people living with HIV/AIDS. Today, Caracole serves more than 1500 clients living in an eight county region in Southwest Ohio (Hamilton, Butler, Warren, Clinton, Highland, Adams, Brown, and Clermont) with five primary programs (Testing, Case Management, Homelessness Prevention, Housing Programs, and Pharmacy Services). To inquire about and register for services, please call (513) 761-1480 or email jschlabach@caracole.org. To find out more information about donating, fundraising, or making a contribution in memory of a loved one, contact Ellie Singleton, Director of Development, at (513) 619-1482 or by emailing esingleton@caracole.org. www.caracole.org
CASA DE PAZ
Casa de Paz/House of Peace ministers to and with Latina migrant women and children who have experienced trauma and violence, especially violence that displaces them from their homes. It provides a culturally sensitive, caring community and temporary home where healing and growth can take place. This mission is carried out through supportive relationships and a competent staff who have an understanding of multi-cultural issues as well as gender-based violence, and who respect the unique emotional, developmental, and spiritual nature of each person. Casa de Paz, promotes the dignity and self-worth of all residents, striving to accompany them through a process of stabilization, growth and flourishing. Their mission is to extend a safe space to Latina women and their families, connecting, guiding and supporting them unconditionally, without judgment and with inclusion and confidentiality, to facilitate their transformation. www.casadepazcinci.org
CHILD POVERTY COLLOBORATIVE
The Child Poverty Collaborative (CPC) is comprised of diverse organizations and individuals who share the same goal: to make our community a place where all children and families can thrive and reach their goals. It is a community-driven initiative designed to address the unacceptable rates of child poverty in Cincinnati. They lead, partner, and support system changes to reduce poverty and improve children’s lives. In collaboration with families and community partners, the CPC seeks to ensure that people currently living in poverty move toward achieving and maintaining self-sufficiency. Their mission is to build and implement a community-driven, data-informed action plan. An operating principle of CPC is authentic community engagement. Historically, policies, practices, and programs have not included the voice of those they are intended to serve. CPC is committed to shifting power and ensuring that community members are an active partner in leading and deciding. www.childpovertycollaborative.org
CINCINNATI INTERFAITH WORKERS CENTER
The Cincinnati Interfaith Workers Center (CIWC) was established in March 2005 to mobilize, educate, and organize low wage and immigrant workers to achieve positive systemic change. The goal is to provide workers with the tools and support they need to transform their workplaces and communities as a whole. www.cworkers.org
CINCINNATI UNION CO-OP INITIATIVE
Cincinnati Union Co-op Initiative (CUCI) is a non-profit that partners with individuals and organizations to create worker-owned businesses that sustain families. CUCI emerged from the historic partnership between Mondragon, the world’s most successful network of worker-cooperatives, and the United Steelworkers in October of 2009. www.cincinnatiunioncoop.org
CIVIC GARDEN CENTER
The Civic Garden Center (CGC) is a nationally recognized nonprofit model for building resilient communities through gardening, education, and environmental stewardship. Located in Cincinnati’s urban core, CGC delivers a robust array of high-quality, hands-on education programs and services to students and adults, while supporting the development and success of more than 50 community gardens and over 75 school gardens across greater Cincinnati. Our platinum LEED certified Green Learning Station strives to remain on the cutting edge of sustainable technology while providing environmental education programs and research opportunities for students, professionals, and the public. Their two-acre facility includes a horticultural library and several outdoor gardens for visitors to enjoy free of charge. www.civicgardencenter.org
GREATER CINCINNATI URBAN LEAGUE
The Greater Cincinnati Urban League (GCUL) is a civil rights organization dedicated to economic empowerment. We train people for jobs, teach personal finance, work with start-ups and entrepreneurs and advocate for positive change in our communities. The GCUL carries out its mission in three primary ways — 1) promoting an inclusive community; 2) workforce development; and 3) business development & entrepreneurship. www.ulgso.org
HEARTFELT TIDBITS
Southwest Ohio is home to over 40,000 refugees who have resettled in the US since the 1980s. After refugees arrive to the US, they are supported by a local representative of one of the nine official refugee resettlement agencies, which provides government-mandated services such as housing and school registration for a period of up to 90 days. However, in many cases this transition can take much longer than 90 days, and may last many years. Heartfelt Tidbits provides the “long welcome” to clients who have arrived in the Cincinnati area. Today, Heartfelt Tidbits enhances refugee and recent immigrant integration through a variety of programs. Much of their work focuses on women who are particularly vulnerable due to limited language skills and isolation. Their mission is to positively impact client’s mental wellbeing, which is incredibly pertinent to women who are marginalized and face isolation through various circumstances. They believe their organization allows women from a variety of cultures to come together and share their experiences, in a space that provides support and refuge. www.heartfelttidbits.com
HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES MADE EQUAL (HOME)
HOME’s mission is to eliminate unlawful discrimination in housing in the Greater Cincinnati area. HOME advocates and enforces housing regulations for all protected classes and promotes stable, integrated communities. (513) 721-4663 www.homecincy.org
INTERCOMMUNITY JUSTICE AND PEACE CENTER
Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center (IJPC) educates and advocates for peace, challenges unjust local, national, and global systems, and promotes the creation of nonviolent society. IJPC’s peace program includes non-violence trainings, anti-war organizing, Days of Dialogue and Truth is Recruiting campaign. The immigration program’s Loving Our Immigrant Neighbor workshop provides information and answers practical questions. Youth Educating Society (YES) educates about the immigration system, provides leadership training for young adult immigrants and connects immigrant advocates within local universities. IJPC works for the abolition of death penalty in Ohio and beyond. Families that Matter bring together people who have or had loved ones on Ohio’s death row for mutual support and advocacy training. Working with Ohioans to Stop Executions (OTSE), IJPC educates around the death penalty, provides petitions asking for clemency and holds prayer witnesses during each execution. www.ijpccincinnati.org
THE IRATE 8
The mission of The Irate 8 is to push for a more diverse and inclusive University of Cincinnati and seek equity through our social action. They aim to raise awareness of the experiences of Black students at the University of Cincinnati, and how they connect with the #BlackLivesMatter movement nationally. They accomplish their goals through education, collaboration with the University’s administration, and by reforming some of the systemic policies that result in a negative experience for a number of Black students on the University of Cincinnati campus. In their efforts, they are mindful of the Student Code of Conduct and are working to maintain respectful dialogue while aiding the University in its diversity efforts, particularly the inclusion of Black students, staff, and faculty. www.theirate8.com
LGBTQ CENTER
The LGBTQ Center supports the mission of the University of Cincinnati through a commitment to diversity, equity, leadership development, and intellectual inquiry with particular respect to sexual orientation and gender identity. The Center is an inclusive campus community that welcomes people of all sexual orientations and gender identities and provides support, resources and advocacy. The Center facilitates LGBTQ visibility by promoting and enhancing understanding, acceptance, and awareness regarding LGBTQ issues. www.uc.edu/lgbtq.html
LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF SOUTHWEST OHIO
Legal Aid ensures access to the justice system for all, not just those who can afford to pay. Their mission is to resolve serious legal problems of low-income people, to promote economic and family stability and to reduce poverty through effective legal assistance. Legal Aid provides free, comprehensive, civil legal assistance to address a wide range of major social and legal obstacles. Legal Aid also provides leadership to coordinate their services with other non-profit and government agencies, to develop innovative programs, and to present community legal education. They serve clients from two full-service offices: one in Cincinnati and one in Hamilton, as well as a satellite office at Children’s Hospital Pediatric Primary Clinic in Avondale. Call the Legal Aid Line to request assistance at 513.241.9400 or toll free at 1.800.582.2682. Monday–Friday: 8:45 am to 4:30 pm. www.lasswo.org
NEW LIFE FURNITURE
New Life Furniture is a faith-based non-profit organization, which serves the Greater Cincinnati area. They are a furniture bank that collects gently used furniture and deliver the items directly to the homes of families in need. Their goal is to help reduce homelessness, and give vulnerable peoples a little piece of home and humanity, in the form of furniture and the necessities for homes. (513) 313-0530 www.nlfurniture.org
PEASLEE CENTER
Peaslee Neighborhood Center is a peaceful place in Over-the-Rhine where residents create and engage in participatory education to foster creative expression, self-determination and social change. www.peasleecenter.org
PUBLIC ALLIES CINCINNATI
Public Allies is a national movement committed to advancing social justice and equity by engaging and activating the leadership of all young people. AmeriCorps Allies are individuals from our communities who are committed to making a difference through service, and who are looking for an opportunity to build skills and a network of emerging grassroots leaders. The AmeriCorps Ally program, which generally lasts 10 months and is a paid opportunity with benefits, is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, criminal record, political affiliation, marital or parental status, military service, community, or social affiliations. Anyone over 17 years with a high school diploma or GED, and who is a U.S. citizen or has permanent residency, is welcome to apply. www.publicallies.org/cincinnati/
RACIAL AWARENESS PROGRAM (RAPP)
The RAPP mission is fighting oppression through individual awareness and collective action. It focuses on two intensive development programs and outreach. They host a nine-month intensive experiential learning program where UC students challenge, debate, and educate each other on issues of social positioning and social justice. They also offer a five-day intensive that starts two weeks before fall semester classes begin, where students develop knowledge and skills related to racial justice and inclusive leadership. RAPP also delivers workshops and trainings on campus and throughout Greater Cincinnati focused on building cross-cultural communication skills, self-awareness around social positioning, social justice issues, and developing agency in fighting oppression. www.uc.edu/sald/diversity/rapp.html
SU CASA
The Su Casa Hispanic Center, a program of Catholic Charities of Southwestern Ohio, serves the Hispanic/Latino immigrants who are seeking a better life for themselves and their families. Founded in 1997, Su Casa is the primary provider of social, educational, language, employment and health care services to the Hispanic/Latino community in Greater Cincinnati. The mission is self-sufficiency for the poor and vulnerable of the immigrant community that comes to the U.S. looking for a better way of life for their families. Su Casa strives to become the place where Latinos/Hispanics individuals connect with their culture and develop ways to live healthy and fulfilled lives in the United States. They have an established reputation and a dedicated and professional team of professionals trusted throughout the community. www.ccswoh.org/services/sucasa/
WAVE POOL
Wave Pool is a dynamic place where art intersects with community. Located in Camp Washington, Wave Pool attempts to act as a catalyst for social engagement and cultivate artistic development. Their approach is to “lead from behind”— allowing the neighborhood and artists to tell them what needs to happen. Located at 2940 Colerain Avenue, their gallery hours are Wednesday–Saturday 12–5pm. www.wavepoolgallery.org
THE WOMEN OF COLOR QUILTERS NETWORK
The Women of Color Quilters Network is a non-profit organization founded in 1985 by Carolyn L. Mazloomi, a nationally-acclaimed quilt artist and lecturer, to foster and preserve the art of quiltmaking among women of color. It supports its membership through presentations, providing venues for sharing technical information, grant writing, and other services. It offers quilts and fiber art to museums for exhibition, and researches and documents African American quiltmaking. In recent years, the Network has showcased the work of its members before national and international audiences. An important component of the network’s activity is its use of quiltmaking in social and economic development projects. Educational projects and workshops foster exposure to the arts, creative development, and improved self-esteem. These programs present the benefits of quilting to audiences of all ages, income levels, ethnic background and learning abilities. www.wcqn.org
YWCA GREATER CINCINNATI
The YWCA USA is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families, and strengthen communities. They are one of the oldest and largest women’s organizations in the nation, serving over 2 million women, girls, and their families. Their local association serves approximately 34,000 women, men, girls and their families annually. YWCA Greater Cincinnati is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. www.ywcacincinnati.org
YOUTH EDUCATING SOCIETY (YES)
Youth Educating Society (YES) is a leadership program designed for both documented and undocumented immigrants and their friends and allies. They network to learn more about immigration issues and take an active role in the community. Members learn how to share their personal immigration experiences to create a unique and powerful voice advocating for comprehensive immigration reform. YES Program Participants: build personal and professional relationships with others who care about immigrant rights; build a network of student organizations from area colleges and universities and with other young leaders; receive leadership training; and stand courageously and speak out about immigration issues. www.ijpccincinnati.org/programs/immigration/yes-program/