Client Spotlight

from Franciscan Ministries' Newsletter - Spring 2023

History of Tamar’s Center

Tamara travelled to Cincinnati after leaving the southern states when her employment ended. She had fond memories of Cincinnati, as she spent time here growing up. She arrived to Cincinnati and found the housing to be more expensive than she anticipated and not affordable. She was not accepted in the women’s shelter due to maximum capacity, and was referred to Tamar’s Center. She arrived at Tamar’s Center in need of a shower, rest, and a meal. On her first day, Tamar’s Center provided her with a tent and sleeping bag. She took part in the group activity, and was able to fellowship with other women to learn about safe places for women to camp. Tamar’s was able to give her bus passes and bus route information.

Over the next few weeks, she came to Tamar’s daily to shower and eat while applying for jobs. After Tamara connected with her mom in Illinois, she decided to stretch her job search to both Illinois and Cincinnati. Tamara found the job market to be more successful in Illinois near her mother’s home. Tamara was selected for an interview at the local fire department to be a firefighter after which she was accepted into the Fire Academy.

On February 13, Tamara called Tamar’s Center and spoke with the Director. Tamara shared that she is doing very well and that she is currently in training to become a firefighter as well as working at a pharmaceutical company. Tamara is currently residing with her mother. Tamara conveyed how grateful she is for Tamar’s Center and that she wants to give back. Tamara inquired about how to go about donating three hundred dollars to Tamar’s Center. The Director gave Tamara instructions and thanked her for thinking of Tamar’s Center. On Friday, February 24, Tamara and her Mom came to Tamar’s Center in person with donation in hand. The Tamar’s team was so excited to see Tamara and welcomed her and mom in for coffee.

On Monday, February 27, the Director of Tamar’s Center called Tamara to get her permission to be the client spotlight in the agency’s March Newsletter. Tamara agreed and added that she has written a book entitled “Welcome to the Threshing Floor”, which is currently in editing and soon to be published.

A Successful 2022 at Tamar’s Center

• During the month of October, Tamar’s Center received the PNC Charitable Fund Grant of $25,000 to be spent in the following areas: Tuesdays at Tamar’s events, staff training, outreach event and client assistance.

• During the month of November, St. Ursula High School contacted Tamar’s to let the staff know that they have selected us to create a meditative corner of wall Art at Tamar’s Center. The students came out to take a tour of Tamar’s and to get a feel of what type of art they felt called to create.

• During the month of November, Meijer contacted Tamar’s to let us know that they selected Tamar’s for this year’s annual non-profit community give away award of $5,000.

• During the month of November, Moeller High School Magnified Giving program selected Tamar’s Center for the 2023 Magnified Giving annual award. Moeller High School students came to Tamar’s Center in Jan/Feb. 2023 to complete community service hours. Tamar’s will receive the monetary award in March 2023.

• During the month of December, Tamar’s Case Manager established a partnership with THRIVE Empowerment Center. THRIVE Empowerment Center staff agreed to come to Tamar’s for three consecutive Tuesdays in January 2023 to provide self-defense training to Tamar’s clients for our Tuesdays at Tamar’s events.