The Express (March & April 2025)

THE Express

50TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL EDITION

THE ORIGIN OF EAST END COMMUNITY SERVICES AND STORIES FROM THE CARIBBEAN, THE FLORIDA KEYS, IOWA, & THE PACIFIC ISLANDS!

Ken Ortbals, Jan Lapore-Jentleson, and Nichole Smith

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WESTCARE.COM

THE STORY OF EAST END COMMUNITY SERVICES How WestCare Came to Ohio

By Rebecca Hernandez, Creative Services Manager, WestCare Marketing & Communications

624 Xenia Avenue circa 2017

By the late 1990s, the hum of factory life had long gone silent in East Dayton. For decades beforehand, this corner of the city had thrived on industry, drawing in families from Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, and beyond. In fact, 97% of the families there were Appalachian migrants who had come for the promise of steady work, filling the factories with hands that knew how to build and repair, haul and weld. These skilled laborers may not have had access to higher education, but they carried with them grit, pride, and the determination to provide a better life for their children.

But when the factories shuttered, so too did the dream. What remained was a neighborhood stripped of its economic foundation. The jobs were gone. The safety nets were threadbare. Families who had built lives around hard work were left with few options, and even fewer opportunities.

The Twin Towers neighborhood was one of many left to bear the weight of this unraveling. Crime surged. The drug epidemic hit hard. many left to bear the weight of this unraveling. The local schools struggled to meet the needs of a new generation growing up in the shadow of instability.

Milestones in East End’s History

1999

1997 SISTER ROSE, DICK, & JAN

FIRST EECS BOARD

Jan Lepore-Jentleson was approached

by Sister Rose and Dick McBride to address poverty in East Dayton.

Established a board of neighborhood supporters and city hall representatives to increase impact.

Data showed the community consisted of Appalachian migrants and was facing economic decline due to factory closures.

TWIN TOWERS NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Predecessor to EECS, TTND was founded by Sister Rose and Dick McBride to focus on housing rehabilitation.

1995

MIRACLE MAKERS

624 XENIA AVENUE

Jan and other change makers launch an afterschool program to help children unlock their full potential.

Moved to 624 Xenia Ave.

1998

Launched the Neighborhood Job Connection Program was launched to provide resume building and job connections.

2000 - 2002

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Jan Lepore-Jentleson, the founding director, at a ribbon cutting for the renovated warehouse.

By the year 2000, only 7% of fourth graders had passed the state proficiency test in math. The dropout rate was high.

The girls were getting pregnant, and the boys were ending up in juvenile detention. The family unit itself was beginning to disintegrate.

“What they really wanted was an effort that would address the poverty in the neighborhood. They knew how to acquire and rehab houses. What they didn't know how to do was address...what they called at the time, the ‘people problems’ in the neighborhood,” Jan recalled. Ultimately, Jan agreed.

Many in the community were still trying to navigate life through the lens of rural traditions, while living in an urban reality that neither understood nor supported them. They were stuck, trapped in a neighborhood that was no longer able to meet their needs.

The goal was simple but urgent: help children feel seen, supported, and capable of success. Staff and volunteers provided homework help, enrichment activities, and mentorship, all rooted in the belief that if you nurture a child’s curiosity, you nurture their future.

It was during this uncertainty that Jan Lepore-Jentleson received a call.

As the program took off, East End assembled its founding board. It was a group made up of both neighborhood residents and civic partners. Among them was Diana Watkins, a deeply rooted community member whose early insights helped shape the organization’s direction. Her seat at the table symbolized something foundational: East End would always be built alongside, not just for, the community it served.

At the time, she was working in City Hall, leading the Department of Neighborhood Development. But a nun, Sister Rose and her partner, Dick McBride, had been doing quiet, transformative work in the neighborhood known as Twin Towers. Through the Saint Mary Development Corporation, they were rehabilitating homes and trying to breathe new life into the neighborhood. But they knew housing alone wasn’t enough.

2003

Alongside Diana Watkins were other founding board members who brought heart, history, and hands-on knowledge of the neighborhood. Paul Woodie, Leila Estes,

2009

2012

SENIOR SERVICES

LOW INCOME HOUSING

FUNDING

At the request of community members, EECS answered the need to launch their Senior Services Program to support seniors on fixed incomes.

EECS partnered with St. Mary and the State of Ohio for a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Project, securing $18M in investments.

EECS secured a national grant through the Department of Justice and Police.

Began crime and drug intervention efforts.

RUSKIN RESTRUCTURED

BUILDING A COMMUNITY

Ruskin Elementary was closed by the Dayton School Board, restructured through reconstitution, and later reopened as part of Dayton Public Schools with 250 students. The changes aimed to improve the school’s performance and stability.

EECS and their partners built 80 single-family homes with a goal for homeownership, though affordability challenges arose.

2005

2010-2013

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WESTCARE.COM Youth at EECS early 2000s

knowledge of the neighborhood. Paul Woodie, Leila Estes, Bill Watkins, and Dr. Jerry Eppley, a dentist whose office sat just across the street, each brought a deep understanding of both the challenges facing East Dayton and the strength within it. Jan also invited trusted colleagues from her time in City Hall, knowing that a mix of grassroots voices and institutional experience would help East End move with both compassion and strategy.

for jobs. Not help. Not handouts, work. And in those requests, East End saw another opportunity to meet the community where it was. In 2000, the Neighborhood Job Connection Program came to life. Staff worked side by side with residents to write resumes, apply for open positions, and build confidence in the job search process. At a time when the economy was just beginning to shift again, this simple yet powerful program became a lifeline for many.

With that foundation in place, the work began to grow.

As the work deepened, so did the understanding of what the neighborhood needed.

In 1999, East End opened its first youth center, offering teens a safe space to gather after school and stay connected to their education. The mission remained clear: help young people stay in school, graduate, and begin to imagine a future that stretches beyond the limitations of their environment. Staff offered academic support, mentorship, and leadership development, all designed to help youth recognize their own potential and see that there was a path forward. At the same time, another need emerged, quite literally, at the front door.

People from the neighborhood started showing up asking

2016

In the early 2000s, it was the seniors who spoke up next.

Many had lived in the neighborhood for decades, often in homes they had owned for years.

But aging on a fixed income brought new challenges. “A lot of them had owned their own homes. They couldn't afford to keep them up,” Jan remembered. So for many, making necessary repairs was out of reach. Daily tasks became more difficult. Some were caring for grandchildren after their own children had been lost to addiction or incarceration. In 2003, with support from Montgomery County, East End launched its

2024

COMMUNITY CRISIS

NEW LEADERSHIP

A Hulu documentary, America Divided, showcased the Dayton Police Department responding to drug-related incidents as the city became known as ground zero for the nation's opioid epidemic.

Nichole Smith steps into the role of Regional Vice President of WestCare Ohio, bringing years of dedicated service, leadership, and passion for community impact to her new position.

CONVERSATIONS WITH DPD

WESTCARE COLLABORATION

NEW BEGINNINGS

Conversations for Change program launched with the Dayton Police Department’s Major John.

After Dick Steinberg visited Dayton, EECS collaborated with WestCare and officially joined the organization—gaining access to enhanced employee benefits, and comprehensive back office support.

A ribbon cutting marked the renovation of 624 Xenia Avenue. With fresh vision and space, Nichole and the East End team are ready to welcome the community and offer hope.

2014

2017

2025

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Senior Services Program to help older residents age with dignity and connection.

Then came the housing crisis. By the mid-2000s, the effects of long-term disinvestment were impossible to ignore.

Abandoned homes had become targets for drug activity, and fires were breaking out in vacant buildings. The neighborhood’s once-proud housing stock was deteriorating fast.

In response, East End brought together board members and residents to create a strategy for reclaiming and rebuilding the neighborhood’s homes. What emerged was a bold plan to increase homeownership and invest directly in the community’s physical foundation. In partnership with Saint Mary Development, East End secured back-to-back LowIncome Housing Tax Credit awards from the State of Ohio, resulting in the construction of 80 affordable single-family homes between 2010 and 2013. It was a massive $18 million investment - and a visible sign of hope.

But the reality on the ground was more complicated.

Many longtime residents couldn’t afford to move into new homes. Some were paying $150 to live in barely habitable conditions and couldn’t qualify for subsidized rent. The result was painful: new families moved in, but resentment grew among those who felt left behind in their own community.

Just as the housing work reached completion, another storm was already brewing.

In the early 2010s, East End began to see the devastating rise of opioid addiction. What started quietly soon turned deadly. By 2016 and 2017, hundreds of lives were being lost each year in Montgomery County, many of them in East Dayton. Children were finding parents unresponsive.

Kindergartners at summer camp watched as body bags were carried out of nearby apartments. It was grief on a scale the community had never seen before. East End responded as it always had: by showing up...and by fighting for what the community deserved.

East End knew it couldn’t fight the crisis alone. Staff and board members began rallying for change. They met with city leaders, health boards, and elected officials to demand action.

From this advocacy came Conversation for Change, a grassroots program offering connection, support, and resources for those struggling with addiction. It started with just two attendees at the first meeting. Today, it continues as a beacon of compassion and recovery in East Dayton.

The crisis also brought East End into the national spotlight. A documentary crew embedded with the Dayton Police Department chose East End as its home base, capturing the heartbreaking reality of the opioid epidemic. The attention helped, but it was clear the community needed more than visibility...it needed sustainable support.

Nichole Smith, Regional Vice President, WestCare Ohio

That support arrived in 2017, when East End formally joined the WestCare family. WestCare’s President, Richard “Dick” Steinberg, came out to Dayton personally, walking the streets of the neighborhood and listening to the stories that had shaped East End’s mission. He didn’t come to assess; he came to stand beside.

It wasn’t the first time he’d answered that kind of call. Dick had built a legacy of stepping in when nonprofits were struggling...not to take over, but to ensure they weren’t left behind. With a heart that refused to look the other way, and a national team built to stabilize and strengthen, WestCare offered something East End hadn’t had in years: a safety net for the helpers.

The partnership was rooted in shared values from the beginning. Both organizations believed in meeting people where they are, in wrapping services around families, and in creating systems of support that honor dignity, resilience, and self-determination.

While East End kept its name and its community roots, joining WestCare opened the door to something new: stability, sustainability, and a growing network of support.

In 2024, that support came to life in a new way.

Nichole Smith stepped into the role of Regional Vice President of Ohio with a bold vision and a deep sense of purpose. As a former police officer, nonprofit executive, and cancer survivor, Nichole brought an understanding of resilience, and a professional track record of transforming challenges into meaningful, measurable change.

Her leadership was exactly what East End needed next.

After a competitive national search, Nichole was the unanimous choice of both WestCare leadership and East End’s Community Action Council. She had already accepted another position at a local nonprofit when WestCare called with their offer...but something in her knew this was where she was meant to be. She said yes.

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WESTCARE.COM The team at EECS

Since her first day on the job, Nichole began asking the hard questions.

“What are we doing well? What should we sustain? What needs to be bolstered? And what should we release, so we can focus more deeply on what we do best?”

Computer Lab

With a sharp strategic lens and a gift for inclusive leadership, she assessed more than 19 active programs and reorganized them into three clear pillars: Education and Youth Services, Workforce and Training Services, and Health and Well-Being.

She streamlined service delivery, leaned into strong community partnerships, and aligned East End’s strengths with the broader WestCare ecosystem.

Under her leadership, East End is not only honoring its roots, its redefining its future.

When Nichole arrived, the Xenia Avenue building was quite literally under construction. The organization was amid a major renovation which was part of a successful $6.2 million capital campaign to expand and modernize the space that had long served as East End’s home base. It was symbolic, in many ways: the dust, the exposed beams, the reimagining of what was possible.

Jan Lepore-Jentleson Welcome Center

That same spirit of renewal shaped Nichole’s approach to the work. She conducted a full analysis of the organization’s programs, infrastructure, and partnerships, identifying what to bolster, sustain, or transition. As she explained: “We now have this beautiful whole family hub with a computer lab, training rooms, and space to facilitate so much programming. But the real question became—what are we uniquely suited to do? And how do we do that with excellence?”

She also saw something in WestCare that many had not yet fully tapped into.

EECS Client Artwork

“There are so many strengths within the WestCare ecosystem that I don't know that we have historically tapped into,” she said.

“And if we do it right, we can stabilize our funding through behavioral health services and then be more innovative with how we serve the whole person, without being tied to overly prescriptive grants.”

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East End’s Renovation Ribbon Cutting, April 24, 2025

That innovation includes whole family coaching, a new direction that builds on East End’s history of youth-centered programming by expanding support to caregivers and households. With a focus on the six social determinants of health, and thanks to Ohio’s Medicaid expansion, East End is now positioned to offer wraparound services that can truly transform families’ lives. Services that address not just symptoms, but root causes of generational poverty.

Looking ahead, Nichole is also laying the foundation for regional growth. East End has long served two Dayton ZIP codes, but under the banner of WestCare Ohio, she envisions reaching families across the region.

As the reach expands, so does the opportunity to lean into one of WestCare’s greatest strengths: comprehensive mental and behavioral health services. By integrating these supports into East End’s existing work, Nichole sees a future where families don’t just survive hardship, but they heal from it, grow through it, and ultimately thrive.

As East End steps into this new era, with a renovated building, a sharpened focus, and the strength of the WestCare network behind it, the momentum is undeniable. What began in a single neighborhood has grown into a model for transformation that reaches families, communities, and beyond.

And the heart of it all? The team.

“We’re thrilled that we were able to hire Nichole and have her take over leadership for East End,” said Ken Ortbals, CEO of WestCare. “Her leadership has been exceptional.

She’s built strong relationships with community leaders and funders, she’s transforming the local board to better support the work, and she’s fully embraced the vision of WestCare.”

Looking ahead, Ken sees only opportunity. “Under Nichole’s leadership, we expect to fully implement whole family coaching and grow our mental health and addiction services. In the years to come, we’ll be bringing more families out of poverty, and giving children a better future.

We’ll match federal and state dollars with private philanthropy to expand services across Ohio. The future of WestCare in this region is bright... and it’s because of the incredible team we have in place.”

“How can we help?” An entire movement was born from one powerful question. With new leadership, renewed space, and a shared mission that stretches across counties and communities, East End Community Services

by WestCare Ohio is ready to write its next chapter.

Follow East End Community Services

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WESTCARE SNAPSHOT

A QUICK LOOK AT OTHER HAPPENINGS THROUGHOUT OUR WESTCARE FAMILY

THE CARIBBEAN

United for our Youth in Caguas

Dominican Days: Sun, Sea & Sober Fun

by Iris J. Benitez, Program Assistant Guara Bi, Inc.

Submitted by Victoria Osuna, Executive Director, Guara Bi Dominican Republic

At Guara Bi Dominican Republic, we believe in the power of movement, nature, and connection. That’s why we champion sober recreation, outdoor enjoyment, and healthy competition through engaging activities.

Recently, we hosted a friendly domino tournament between Guara Bi Independencia and Guara Bi Guarionex, proving that fun and focus go hand in hand. The event highlighted the spirit of teamwork and the value of healthy rivalry.

In addition, both programs gather weekly by the sea to stretch, move, and breathe in the fresh ocean air. These sessions offer more than just exercise... they’re a reminder that healing can happen under the sun, with sand between your toes and a community by your side.

Outreach for our Youth

The Guara Bi Guali project, in partnership with the Autonomous Municipality of Caguas, The Administration for Substance Abuse and Mental Health (ASSMCA) and other Puerto Rico collaborative agencies, held a special day of education, music and community services for our youth at the Municipality of Caguas.

Our team focused on substance use prevention and mingled with our youngsters while they participated in educational talks, received barbering services, enjoyed live music and shared a space for growth and learning.

Strengthening our Ties in Latin America

by Victoria Osuna, Executive Director, Guara Bi Dominican Republic

by Iris J. Benitez, Program Assistant Guara Bi, Inc.

To impact on the adolescent population in relation to the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, we had the opportunity to offer a workshop to parents with adolescent children with special needs at the Rosado Belber Transitional Center in the City of Aibonito. We participated in information tables in the Municipality of San Juan, offering a talk on healthy relationships, informational material and HIV testing.

Brothers Daniel and Mario Letona, from Rehabilitation House Tat Loy in Guatemala, visited Guara Bi, Dominican Republic, with the aim of exchanging knowledge on strategies and work dynamics between both institutions. During this period, various therapeutic and recreational activities were carried out. Finally, on Friday, February 28, certificates and recognitions were presented to the guests from Guatemala, thus closing the knowledge exchange tour in Guara Bi DR, with the leadership of the Executive Director, Victoria Osuna.

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FLORIDA:

For the One: Honoring Mona Through Action and Awareness

by Maureen Dunleavy, Senior Vice President, Guidance/Care Center

Clean the Keys for Fentanyl Awareness was created by Stacey Croston (For the One) after losing her daughter, Mona, to opioid overdose four years ago. Her daughter’s ashes are on the beaches of Key West and Stacey decided to make clean up part of the tribute to her daughter every year around her birthday.

She partnered with Plogging the Keys to help keep Key West clean and bring awareness to the fentanyl epidemic, in memory of her beautiful daughter, Mona. The event occurred on February 21 as February 18th would have been Mona’s 23rd birthday.

71 people joined GCC, Stacey Croston (For the One) and Plogging the Keys to clean up the beach for opioid overdose prevention. Chief of Police, Mayor of Key West and City Manager Office were all out there plogging. Cheri Luongo, Crisis Counselor, and Maureen Dunleavy, Senior Vice President, Guidance Care Center, worked the table doing overdose prevention education. Maureen said, “We gave out all the Narcan kits we brought and shared GCC resources including how to access our mobile crisis response team. I often tell staff we save lives every day! Today is proof of that.”

The Guidance/Care Center was on hand for questions and information on GCC Services and handing out free Narcan kits ~ no questions asked.

IOWA:

Follow GCC’s Journey!

Click here to learn more about FAVA!

Welcome Aboard - Jennifer Zimmerman to the Sioux City, Iowa

by Darlene Terrill, Regional Director

Jennifer Zimmerman recently joined the team at FAVA as a Veteran Advocate. She brings more than 15 years of experience in the social work field and holds a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science. Prior to joining FAVA, Jennifer worked as a social worker in the emergency department at UnityPoint Health, where she gained extensive experience in discharge planning and connecting individuals with local resources.

With a strong family legacy of military service, her grandfather served in the Air Force and her father in the Army, Jennifer brings both professional expertise and personal passion to her role in supporting Veterans. A native of Sioux City, Iowa, she is deeply rooted in the community she now serves.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, which includes three children, three grandchildren, and two beloved dogs.

We look forward to all that Jennifer will accomplish for our Veterans and their families.

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PACIFIC ISLANDS:

From Island Wisdom to Global Impact – WestCare Pacific Islands at the University of Guam Charter Day 2025

By Leslie Estrella, Steer Program Manager/Lead Navigator, WestCare Pacific Islands

WPI Staff at the University of Guam’s 57th Annual Charter Day on March 6th, 2025

WestCare Pacific Islands (WPI) proudly participated in the University of Guam’s 57th Annual Charter Day on March 6th, 2025, further strengthening its years-long partnership with the University of Guam.

This year’s theme, “From Island Wisdom to Global Impact,” set the tone for a day-long celebration that brought together vendors, government agencies, and non-profit organizations to honor the university’s founding.

Condom Distribution by WPI’s Steer Program

As part of the celebration, WPI’s Steer program and other WPI programs shared valuable information about the services available to both students and the broader community.

WPI’s Steer Program focused their participation on protecting what matters most. From protecting individuals to safeguarding communities through education about substance and alcohol abuse, to preventing the transmission of HIV and viral hepatitis, the team provided resources on how to get tested, demonstrated proper condom use, and distributed condoms to attendees.

An engaging activity, “Spill that Positivi-tea,” allowed WPI’s outreach visitors to post and share uplifting messages, creating a space for positivity and community connection.

Just as Guam’s island community thrives through the shared spirit, stories, and interconnectedness of our people, the Steer Program aimed to spread awareness and foster a sense of optimism for the collective well-being of our community.

WPI’s Steer Program

Steer, along with the rest of their WPI family, hopes to continue this connectedness and tightknit community engagement for years to come.

Outreach Visitor Engaged in “Spill that Positivi-tea” hosted by WPI

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By Leslie Estrella, Steer Program Manager/Lead Navigator, WestCare Pacific Islands

Guam Pacific Daily News (PDN) File Photo: The Guam Museum

The sun was shining, and the fun was blooming! WestCare Pacific Islands’ (WPI) annual “Here Comes the Fun!” Spring Camp had a successful week-long run this past month with 45 middle-schoolaged participants. WPI’s Maolek Na Lina'la (Life is Good) and I Lina'la-Hu (My Life) programs led a series of activities that allowed for Guam’s youth to connect to and reflect on their decisions and relationships.

With games that sprouted teamwork, problem-solving, movement, and active listening, participants learned the value of positive mindsets and healthy social habits to ultimately improve their wellbeing.

Participants appreciated the change of scenery this year with Spring Camp being hosted in one of Guam’s staple facilities: the Guam Museum, which is designed to appreciate and preserve the local culture and history. Attending camp exposed youth to a new experience and a place for cultural enrichment, making for a wholesome camp experience. It was especially enjoyable for those who had yet to visit the Guam Museum on their own!

WPI was thrilled to witness Guam’s youth thriving in a positive environment. Moving forward, WPI is excited to fulfill their shared mission with the Guam Museum of caring for the cultures and people in the Pacific. The relationship established with the Guam Museum has jumpstarted WPI’s return for their upcoming Summer Camp. For this upcoming season, they’re bringing back the same energy: Ready. Set. Summer! 2025.

Spring Camp participants having fun in the sun outside the Guam Museum

Follow Our Journey!

Scan or click here to learn more about WCPI

Uplifting the Human Spirit

From Island Wisdom to Global Impact – WestCare Pacific Islands at the University of Guam Charter Day 2025

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US IN

Uplifting the Human Spirit

Through the inspiring Origin Stories of our WestCare family, we’ve celebrated the people and programs that laid the foundation for who we are today. From Guam to Georgia, California to the Virgin Islands, and everywhere in between, these stories reminded us of the passion, resilience, and purpose that guide our work.

As we close this special feature series, we want to say thank you. What an incredible adventure it’s been, made possible by your stories, your memories, and your dedication to Uplifting the Human Spirit.

Help us tell WestCare’s story from around the world!

We look forward to once again sharing the stories unfolding in real time, your monthly highlights from the field, the faces and moments behind the mission, and the work that uplifts lives and communities every day. We invite you to continue submitting your stories of success, education, prevention, and healing to marketing@westcare.com. Your narratives fuel hope and contribute to our collective mission of Uplifting the Human Spirit.

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