Franciscan Ministries' Newsletter - Summer 2021

SUMMER 2021

The Begging Bowl Newsletter

Giving Gratitude

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f the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown taught the world anything, it is gratitude for workers.

“Plates” cooks help provide Tamar’s clients nutritious meals.

Franciscan Ministries understands this, as we are dependent on helpers, donors, and supporters every day. This edition of the newsletter focuses on unsung and essential individuals and organizations that make personal and unique contributions to the mission.

Forensic psychologist Jenny O’Donnell (PsyD, Xavier University) has been an early and consistent supporter of Tamar’s Center. Trained in the assessment of people with severe mental illness and aging-related disorders, O’Donnell’s guidance, consulting and mentoring has been indispensable. Her experience includes 20 years in the justice system and work in women-oriented programs.

Tamar’s Center also benefits from a connection with Paula Steinher, her fellow members of the Cheviot Eagles Ladies Auxiliary, and her son Joey Otis, Cheviot Eagles member. The group provides regular donations of needed supplies, such as clothing and blankets, as well as frequent financial support.

Particularly supportive this year was Micah Simms, a freelance professional cinematographer. He created the video

Haircuts from the Heart

celebrating Franciscan Ministries’ receipt of the 2020 Donald and Marian Spencer “Spirit of America” award presented by the Cincinnatus Association. The video is a powerful and moving presentation about Franciscan Ministries programs.

View the award ceremony at www. youtube.com/watch?v=cOSERieC5XY, with the Franciscan Ministries segment at 27.13 minutes, and read more about the Spencer Award inside.

Dave Reinhart is the groundskeeper for the St. Clare Campus of the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor. He regularly helps Franciscan Ministries maintain the Community Garden with all manner of assistance, from tree removal to mulching and providing general expertise.

Long-time board member and retired P&G financial manager Don Evers donates his time as finance officer for Franciscan Ministries. He has volunteered 10-20 hours per week in this role since Franciscan Ministries was created in 2012. Evers previously served on the board for Our Lady of the Woods, a former program of Franciscan Ministries.

Tamar's Center

Centennial Barn

Donations from the Cheviot Eagles and others help stock our supply closet for women.

Where would Haircuts from the Heart be if not at Mary Magdalen House? The longtime partner houses the mini-salon, at no charge, in its Over-the-Rhine location. Learn more about this valuable social service organization at www.MaryMagdalenHouse.org.

The Tau House program took a break in 2020 due to COVID concerns. But thanks to space provided by long-time partner St. Clement Parish in St. Bernard and St. Columban Parish in Loveland (a more recent partner), Franciscan Ministries overnight retreat groups are coming back.

Visit FranciscanMinistriesInc.org to learn more about programs and volunteer opportunities.

Tau House

Community Garden

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Message from the Executive Director Dear Friends, When I took the helm of Franciscan Ministries five years ago, it was a young organization created by merging several smaller non-profits founded by the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor.

Some of the entities had been in existence for more than 30 years. In 2016, we were four years old, and although combined, still operated like separate organizations.

As my 2021 retirement plans become known, I reflect on my efforts to make the organization more cohesive and focused on a unifying mission of tending to the needs of people living in poverty.

Significant milestones include: •

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With the Board of Directors, revised the mission and bylaws, and developed a new strategic plan; put in place a central organizational structure and operational practices, including a system of measurement of outcomes for each service area.

Conducted the first audit; redefined the purpose of the Centennial Barn event center as a social enterprise that financially supports our mission; worked on telling our story, building regular communications and fund development activity, including a focus on grant seeking.

Worked to further define and focus the work of Tamar’s Center, moving from all-volunteer to a staffed program helping women on the streets.

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With the Board of Directors, evaluated each program area and made a decision to focus our resources on areas of current unmet needs, which lead to the difficult decision to close our elder care facility, Our Lady of the Woods.

Recognized through organization’s win of the 2020 Cincinnatus Association Spencer Award.

I am grateful for the efforts and gifts of volunteers and donors during my time with Franciscan Ministries. As we begin our search for a new executive director this summer, know that your continued help and support will assure that our programs and service to the poor will continue.

Franciscan Ministries Receives Spencer Award This spring, after postponement due to the pandemic, the Cincinnatus Association announced the selection of Franciscan Ministries as a recipient of the 2020 Donald and Marian Spencer “Spirit of America” award, presented to organizations that create greater inclusion and diversity through their work in the community.

Franciscan Ministries’ Tamar’s Center was the focus of the award.

Tamar’s serves women who struggle with substance use disorder and exploitation through sex trafficking.

As a Spencer Award recipient, Franciscan Ministries joins the ranks of past non-profit winners including Goodwill Industries, the Innocence 2 2 | Info@FranciscanMinistriesInc.org

Project, Su Casa Hispanic Center, Urban Minority Alcohol and Drug Abuse Outreach, the Freestore Foodbank, and NAMI. The Cincinnatus Association created the Spencer Awards to honor Donald and Marian Spencer, Cincinnati’s “First Couple of Civil Rights.” View the award ceremony at www.youtube. com/watch?v=cOSERieC5XY , with the Franciscan Ministries segment at 27.13 minutes. Learn more about Cincinnatus and the awards at https:// cincinnatusassoc.org.

More information about the Franciscan Ministries and Tamar’s Center can be found at: www.FranciscanMinistriesInc.org.

Tamar’s Center Seeks New Location In June, Franciscan Ministries received approval from the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor to seek purchase of a building to more permanently house Tamar’s Center. Established in 2010, Tamar’s Center offers an entry point to intervention for women who are on the streets, trafficked for sex, or live with a substance use disorder.

“We’ve also found that building owners are not always receptive to leasing to a social service agency that serves our population.”

- Elaine Ward

“We’ve been trying to lease a space downtown for several years, but gentrification and development have made this challenging. We’ve also found that building owners are not always receptive to leasing to a social service agency that serves our population,” said Elaine Ward, Franciscan Ministries’ Executive Director.

For the past few years, Tamar’s Center has been located at Philippus United Church of Christ, 106 W. McMicken in Over-the-Rhine. A generous landlord, Philippus shares the mission of helping care for women on the streets. However, Philippus is now under contract with a buyer for the property, increasing the urgency for Franciscan Ministries to purchase or lease its own building.

seven volunteers, which serves 10-20 women daily. The clients’ most basic needs are addressed in a women-only location, including a safe resting place, meals, showers and clean clothing, and assessment of urgent needs. The dropin hours are 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Advocacy comprises the second aspect of Tamar’s Center, as staff helps clients identify and act on short term goals, many of which require off-site activity.

Services include securing identification cards, accessing health coverage, finding housing, gaining entrance to detox programs, and obtaining medical care. Advocacy hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Tamar’s Center is not a governmentfunded program. The center’s primary funding is provided through grants and donations.

Those interested in contributing to the building fund, or daily operations, please contact Franciscan Ministries at 513-761-1697 ext. 185 eward@franciscanministriesinc.org

Tamar’s Building Essentials

Franciscan Ministries seeks a building, or space with a separate entrance at street level. If there are multiple floors, the building must have an elevator and be ADA compliant. Access to parking for staff and volunteers is needed, as are a security system and cameras. Due to the pandemic, the space must allow for social distancing and air flow.

Location: In or near Over-the-Rhine and the West End for client access Size: 2,500 square feet, in which Tamar’s Center is the only occupant OR has a separate entrance Facilities: • Client space for: sleeping/eating, restroom, ventilated shower • Staff space for: office, restroom, laundry, kitchen • Large, separate storage area

The Little Red Fire Truck Rides Again!

Haircuts from the Heart partner Ronald McDonald House is creating a small hair salon in its facility for visiting families—and free haircuts for children will resume.

During the pandemic, the program has operated out of the church’s gym, an ideal space with upwards of 2,500 square feet and a 30-foot ceiling. The gym allows for both enclosed napping and eating areas and social distancing among clients and staff. The high ceiling fosters a safer air environment.

Our Haircuts program began in 1988 and was operated, for a time, from the old St. John Social Services, where a little red fire truck served as a popular haircut chair for the children of families in need.

Tamar’s operates a day center, staffed by three full time employees and

When St. John Social Services closed, the Haircuts from the Heart program went mobile and eventually became

housed at Mary Magdalen House, where service for children could not be provided. The little red fire truck went into storage.

Franciscan Ministries is happy to donate the fire truck chair knowing it will soon be back in action at Ronald McDonald House.

FranciscanMinistriesInc.org | 3

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

Franciscan Ministries in the News:

Tamar’s Center Named One of Eight in City of Helpers

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he November 2020 edition of Cincinnati Magazine listed Tamar’s Center among “Eight local nonprofits that stepped up to help others during the pandemic.”

While acknowledging that non-profits serving vulnerable communities took a big hit in 2020, the magazine credited eight with continuing efforts to serve their communities.

The “City of Helpers” article reads: “A refuge from the gritty streets, Tamar’s Center, run through Franciscan Ministries, is a daytime respite offering food, showers, clothing, and hygiene products to homeless women. It works one-onone with clients to secure paperwork needed to get jobs, counseling, medical assistance, and housing. When the pandemic shut down the Philippus United Church of Christ, from which it operates, Tamar’s Center simply distributed supplies outside its doors and partnered with Greater Cincinnati Water Works to set up a handwashing station. “’We never closed, we just pivoted,’ says director Estelle McNair. Besides monetary donations, Tamar’s Center needs blankets, winter clothing for women, and hygiene products such as body wash, shampoo, deodorant, wipes, and hand sanitizer.“

Ward Announces Retirement After almost six years of shepherding Franciscan Ministries through considerable change and organizational growth, including to winning the Cincinnatus Association Spencer Award this spring, Executive Director Elaine Ward has announced her retirement at the year’s end.

“It has been inspiring to lead Franciscan Ministries, where throughout the years we evolved and grew into our mission every single day,” Ward said.

Prior to Franciscan Ministries, Ward was Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at 4C for Children in Cincinnati for 27 years. Her earlier experience includes work as Assistant Dean of Students at Albertus Magnus College, a private liberal arts college in New Haven, CT, founded by the Dominican Sisters of St. Mary of the Springs (now Dominican Sisters of Peace).

After decades of devoting her energies to social service, Ward plans to keep giving in her retirement through volunteer work.

“I’m also looking forward to pursuing some hobbies and doing some traveling,” she said with a smile.