Franciscan Ministries' Newsletter - Spring / Summer 2019

SPRING/SUMMER 2019

The Begging Bowl Newsletter

Tamar’s Center

Needs New Home

“F

ranciscan Ministries is fundraising, seeking grants, and actively working toward a goal of finding a new home for Tamar’s Center,” said Executive Director Elaine Ward.

Tamar’s Center provides an entry point of intervention and care for women who are homeless, have addictions and may be victimized through sex-trafficking.

“Tamar’s Center has simply outgrown our current space at Philippus United Church of Christ,” said Ward of the McMicken Ave. location where the center currently is housed. In 2018, Tamar’s Center had 1,753 visits and helped 129 clients who staff worked with throughout the year. “Thankfully, with grant support, we’ve been able to add a daily shelter manager and expand our hours and ability to serve,” Ward said.

“Our organization’s mission is to meet unmet needs of people who are underserved and overlooked and Tamar’s is a primary example of this mission, serving women who live on the streets,” Ward said.

Haircuts from the Heart

Tamar's Center

“We know that women on the street are a very vulnerable population in need of support. They can be undercounted in homeless service estimates, often choosing abandoned buildings for shelter or trading sex for a place to sleep. This makes them unseen, uncounted, and underserved,” Ward added.

Tamar’s Center provides a day shelter, open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday that gives the women a place to rest and meet basic needs for food, clothing and hygiene. As trust is built, staff work with the women to determine their most urgent needs, such as access to health coverage, gaining entrance to detox programs, emergency medical service, mental health intervention, and advocacy in the criminal justice system. “Our goal is to relocate in or near Over the Rhine. This is extremely important, particularly Centennial Barn

Tau House

for a program that serves such a needy and challenging population,” said Estelle McNair, director of Tamar’s Center.

“Tamar’s Center is an important first step for women. Once we get to know them and help them address their most basic needs, we work to connect the women to other organizations that address their more complex and longer term needs,” McNair said.

Tamar’s Center is not a government funded program. The center’s primary funding is through grants and donations. Those interested in helping create a new home for Tamar’s may contribute by calling Franciscan Ministries Director of Development Scott Gilliam at 513-761-1697 ext. 183 or online at www franciscanministriesinc.org.

Community Garden

1 Our Lady of the Woods

Letter from the Executive Diretor Dear Friends, Entering my fourth year with Franciscan Ministries, I am humbled by the continued service of volunteers and gifts from supporters large and small.

Your contributions enable our mission to continue its service to those who need it most.

Our work is deeply rooted in the Franciscan tradition of serving others; offering hospitality and compassion to those in need. The work is humble and we often do what few others do.

Finding a stable location for Tamar’s Center is a goal that will help us reach more women who live on the streets and are victims of sex trafficking. At our day shelter we help the women address their

most urgent needs of food, hygiene, rest, and provide a brief respite of safety. Later, we can help connect them to services that can fully address their issues of addiction, homelessness, and physical and mental health. With a new location we will be able to better focus on clients.

The Centennial Barn continues to financially support our programs while providing the community with an affordable place of celebration.

Already a popular spot for weekend wedding receptions and parties, we hope to fully use the space by increasing weekday rentals for corporate events.

This spring brings us new staff and board members who will enable us to continue our existing programs, while providing fresh ideas and focus. Franciscan Ministries and The Franciscan Sisters of the Poor are grateful for all of our supporters and friends in the community.

FRANCISCAN MINISTRIES BOARD WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS 2019 ROSTER Brian Forschner, Chair Jason Bruns, Vice Chair Michael Barnett, Treasurer Judy Steele-Mitchell, Secretary Sr. June Casterton, SFP* Maria Ciaudelli-Cholak Sharon Lea Cooke Don Evers* Waleed S. Fadayel Mike Hutzel Bill Mueller Don Rohling David Roth Sr. Marilyn Trowbridge, SFP Guillermo Villa *Returning Members

2 2 | Info@FranciscanMinistriesInc.org

T

he Franciscan Ministries Board of Directors has three new board members in 2019, Sharon Lea Cooke, Mike Hutzel, and David Roth, and welcomes back two returning members, Sr. June Casterton and Don Evers. Like the board as a whole, all bring different areas of knowledge and expertise.

Sharon Lea Cooke is a retired educator who holds a doctorate in women’s studies and counseling. She comes with a desire to help maintain and expand resources for women.

Cooke learned about Franciscan Ministries through a Tamar’s Center presentation at Good Shepherd.

Referred by Guillermo Villa, Mike Hutzel is the CEO of two local marketing firms. “Serving people in need has always been a part of my life,” he says, adding that he hopes to contribute to the betterment of the organization and its programs.

David Roth is a pharmacist who worked in the Franciscan Health System and its merge into the Mercy Health System of Cincinnati. He has volunteered with St. John’s Social Service. Roth’s goal is to support front-line workers who interact directly with the poor and underserved in our communities.

Centennial Barn

perfect for weekday corporate events

Schervier Hall readied for business meetings

C

entennial Barn is one of Cincinnati’s best kept secrets when it comes to affordable, accommodating, and accessible spaces for corporate functions. Occupied most weekends for wedding receptions and parties, Franciscan Ministries is actively spreading the word that Centennial Barn and a new space, Schervier Hall, are available weekdays for large or small business and other functions.

“The Centennial Barn is a place for celebrations, from weddings to corporate retreats and functions of all kinds—it’s an all-purpose and very flexible space,” said Mayo Woody, director. He rattled off a list of organizations that frequently use the facility and noted that smaller organizations may not be aware of the affordability.

Weekdays, the barn itself is available for less than $150 per hour, with individual spaces (Community Room, Atrium, Gubbio Room and Loft) renting from $30 to $60 per hour. The

Gubbio Room is the largest, seating 120 to 150 for meals, and it transforms into a space with audio visual resources such as a projector, screen, and microphones.

“A new rental opportunity is Schervier Hall which is geared for day use by businesses,” Woody said. It offers a two-sided gathering space that seats up to 80 on each side, one tiled for dining and one carpeted for activities. This entire space is rented for around $100 per hour, or half that for one section.

“Events here give back,” said Elaine Ward, Franciscan Ministries’ executive director.

“Centennial Barn is meant to serve the community while also being a source of support for our non-profit programs that serve people in need.”

For more information, visit www.franciscanministries.org or contact Centennial Barn Director Mayo Woody at 513-761-1697.

All rentals share amenities including beautiful grounds, easy parking, and friendly staff, with 36-acres for guests to enjoy a labyrinth, walking trails, and butterfly garden.

“We want people to know we’re here and we are flexible,” Woody said. “At Centennial Barn we can incorporate yoga or massage therapy into the activities. We have a liquor license so events can include a happy hour.

We have fewer limitations than some venues,” he explained.

* Valid on weekday business rate bookings through 12/31/19

FranciscanMinistriesInc.org | 3

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PA I D CINCINNATI, OHIO PERMIT# 2580

Franciscan Ministries, Inc. 110 Compton Road Cincinnati, OH 45215

Development Director Gilliam Among New Staff

S

cott Gilliam displays career mementos in his office but his heart is open to those whose belongings may fill only a backpack or shopping cart. He joins Franciscan Ministries as development director with a goal to help those who need it most.

“Over the past few years I felt a nudge to reach out to people on the street and they re-wired my brain,” Gilliam said, explaining, “They made me realize that everyone matters in the world regardless of who they are.”

The former lobbyist recently retired from a 22-year government relations

career with Cincinnati Insurance Company. Prior to that, he practiced law. Scott’s desire to serve others took off when he got to know a woman asking for money for food on the streets of Chicago.

As development director, Gilliam will use his professional skills to help raise funds to support Franciscan Ministries’ programs and nurture philanthropic relationships with individuals and organizations in support of our efforts to serve the unmet needs of people in our community who are vulnerable and overlooked.

WELCOME NEW STAFF MEMBERS Scott Gilliam Development Director

Julie Mulcahey Tamar’s Center Shelter Manager

Renee Sales Office Manager

Danyale Williams Haircuts from the Heart Stylist