2023 Spring Newsletter

On Friday night, April 14th, Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services held its annual COH fundraiser at the Madison Event Center in Covington. Over 200 people and partners joined us to recognize the work being done in our community on behalf of those with a mental health diagnosis and/or substance use disorder.

This year our sponsors came out in full force to show their support for #GCBHS. Event ticket sales, raffles, the wine wall, and silent auction all contributed to almost $180,000 being raised to address behavioral healthcare needs.

The evening was hosted by WLWT Reporter Jatara McGee and several awards were given out (read about those on pages 2, 3, and 4). We also highlighted the work being done by our FIRST program, known as Coordinated Care for FIRST Episode Psychosis. You can see the full video on our YouTube page: GCBHS.

17th Annual Champions of Hope is a Record Breaker!

One of the evening's most poignant moments was speaker Jane Stock, the mother of Christopher, a client in our FIRST program. Jane shared her family's experiences and journey from the initial diagnosis at age 17 to today. Her love for her son and her willingness to share their story to help other families understand that there is help and hope for people with serious mental illness, struck a chord with those in attendance.

We want to thank our sponsors, our guests and everyone who purchased raffle tickets or silent auction items in person or on-line. Your generosity will go a long way in helping Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services continue to work with the most vulnerable in our community.

Members of the GCBHS FIRST Team (Brooke Hood, far left and Bill Bomkamp, far right) with the Stock family. Jane Stock was a speaker at the event.

President & CEO Jeff O'Neil with GCBHS Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Tracey Skale.

THANK YOU

to our generous sponsors

PRESENTING SPONSOR

Community Partner Award Given to 3CDC

CHAMPION SPONSOR

WELLNESS SPONSORS

Barnes Dennig

Dr. Larry and Lisa Graham

Klostermann Baking Company

Mercy Health

Clermont Hospital

Myriad Neuroscience

Nehemiah Manufacturing Co.

RECOVERY SPONSORS

EMPOWERMENT SPONSORS

Cintech Construction, Inc.

Genesis Mechanical Services

Nick Hahn

Monster Energy

3CDC

CARE SPONSORS

Frost Brown Todd LLC

Gordian Design & Construction

MCF Advisors

One Stop Liquors & Tobacco

At this year's 17th annual Champions of Hope, we presented Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation, also known as 3CDC, with a Community Partner award to honor our collaboration with them.

Though 3CDC is primarily known as a real estate developer, the organization has also taken on the responsibility for providing clean and safe services throughout downtown Cincinnati. In this capacity, 3CDC has worked with Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services (GCBHS) and several other organizations to create the Jimmy Heath House downtown, as well as the GeneroCity 513 initiative.

GeneroCity 513 was launched in 2018 with the goal of enhancing the capabilities of the street outreach work already being done by the GCBHS PATH Team and others. Over the past five years, 3CDC’s commitment to this effort and partnership with us has continued to grow. Together, our organizations have supported hundreds of clients, helping them to improve their quality of life by assisting them with securing addiction and mental health services, permanent employment, housing and more.

According to GCBHS President & CEO Jeff O'Neil, "This relationship allows us to bring our expertise, experience, and services to provide quality behavioral healthcare to those in need. We are truly thankful for the opportunity to bring integrated services as efficiently as possible to a greater number of people."

3CDC is the first ever recipient of the Community Partner Award. The award was created to recognize the outstanding relationship GCBHS has developed with a key partner to provide excellent and compassionate service to people in need in Greater Cincinnati.

HOPE SPONSOR

HERO SPONSOR

3CDC Senior Operations Manager, Marissa Reed, accepts the Community Partner award from Jeff O'Neil.

Angels Among Us Award Given to the Unsung Heroes

For the second year in a row, a special award was given out at Champions of Hope, by Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Tracey Skale. The "Angels Among Us" award is special because in Dr. Skale's words, "At Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services (GCBHS), we see our staff do meaningful, compassionate activities every day in support of our clients. But there are people in the community who also show kindness and tireless advocacy for the people we serve. They support our clients and agency quietly, without recognition, but we appreciate them greatly."

This year's Angels

Among Us recipient was David Kapor, a local lawyer, and a longtime friend of GCBHS. According to Dr. Skale, he was selected because,

"David is a fierce warrior with a heart of gold who fights for our clients who need to apply for disability. Imagine struggling with depression, anxiety,

trauma, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia and having to also deal with having no money? Whatever mental health issue a person has, it is made that much worse by not having any income."

The award is also unique because the recipient has no idea they are being honored until Dr. Skale begins to speak from the podium about their wonderful deeds. "I like the surprise factor!", she says. Those in attendance can affirm that Mr. Kapor was more than a little surprised and his reaction was one of the most heart-felt parts of the evening.

Through his law firm, David Kapor assists the GCBHS psychiatric team and our care managers to make certain we have the best information possible in our documentation as well as in court, to support our clients with the disability benefits process. We are grateful for his partnership that allows some of the most vulnerable in our community to have the opportunity to lead a more enriched life.

GCBHS Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tracey Skale presents the "Angels Among Us" award to David Kapor.

The Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board 's Vice President of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Linda Gallagher (left) with HCMHRSB Vice President of External Affairs, LaNora Godfrey.

GCBHS Board Chair Fred Heyse withVice Chair Susan Scherer.

Board Member and Fifth Third employee, Stacy Lynch (far left) with fellow employess Mark Telles (center) and Nick Paszczykowski.

Clermont County Mental Heath & Recovery Board Executive Director LeeAnn Watson with CCMHRB Director of Operations, Erica Pursley.

Jerry Basch Named 2023 CHAMPIONS OF HOPE HONOREE

Jerry's commitment to GCBHS and our mission made him the perfect choice for this year's Champions Of Hope Honoree award.

Jerry Basch worked for the Kroger Company for 14 years before joining PL Marketing where, for over 30 years, he served as an executive. Since retiring, Jerry has been an active volunteer with multiple organizations including Big Brothers and Big Sisters, SEM Food Pantry in Mt. Washington, and his church.

Jerry has also volunteered with Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services (GCBHS) for over five years and served as

the co-chair of a successful million-dollar capital campaign that was launched in 2019. His commitment to GCBHS and our mission made Jerry the perfect choice for this year's Champions Of Hope Honoree. In his acceptance speech, Jerry shared a personal connection to the work that GCBHS does. "I see psychological challenges through a member of my family who suffers with bouts of depression. Throughout his life, I have felt hopeless with his struggles. GCBHS is right on in the services offered to help protect our

most important resource, our community. I want to thank God for giving me the energy and compassion to be a small part in helping a very worthwhile cause such as Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services."

Jerry and his wife Rosanna live in Anderson Township. Together they have six children and five grandchildren. Jerry also enjoys playing golf and pickleball, reading, and traveling with friends and family.