Something old and something new: “Silhouette,” the JLC 2022 Fashion Show By: Sarah L. Flohre
T
he dictionary defines “silhouette” as “likeness cut from dark material and mounted on a light ground or one sketched in outline and solidly colored in.” Silhouettes, cut from paper or painted, were also one of the most affordable forms of portrait you could buy in the 18th and 19th centuries, before photography.
It is in this inclusive spirit that the JLC Fashion Show committee has rebranded the name of the annual fundraiser from “Bloom” to “Silhouette.” In writing about this choice, Fashion Committee chair Ashley Yanzsa shared, “We wanted to change up the theme this year. We felt ‘silhouette’ was more inclusive, because no matter what you look like, everyone’s silhouette is the same.” The fashion show is returning, with its new name, to an old location – the Hilton Netherland Plaza in downtown Cincinnati. The fashion show will return to the Hilton, the former location for this traditional event. Last year, to better allow for COVID-19 precautions, the show was held at Wayfair Hangar at Lunken Airport. The show will be helmed by fashion show veterans, Ashley Yanzsa and Erin Lee, and the theme is “All things Cincinnati.” The committee is hard at work lining up boutiques and models, and is excited to share spring fashion with JLC members in April. Save the date for Saturday, April 23, 2022 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.! JLC members interested in modeling or volunteering to get more involved should reach out to the fashion show committee at fashionshow@jlcincinnati.org.
Partnering with FNC for Child Abuse for Prevention By: Megan Thompson
A
lmost twenty percent of children experience abuse. Each year, ProKids, an organization incubated by the Junior League of Cincinnati, receives 60,000 reports alleging child abuse and neglect in the Greater Cincinnati area. In 2021, 8 children died of child abuse, 3 of which had active cases. An additional 6 child deaths are still under investigation to determine if abuse was the cause. Two of these pending reviews had cases open at the time of the child’s death. These statistics are disheartening, but become even more jarring when one considers these statistics are solely in Hamilton County. Our new community partner, Family Nurturing Center has a mission to end the cycle of child abuse by promoting individual well-being and healthy family relationships. Since 1983, April serves as National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and is dedicated to raising awareness and preventing child abuse. Family Nurturing Center aims to create a world where children live free of all forms of abuse and violence, through a full range of prevention and treatment programs. Because families play a critical role in promoting individual well-being and healthy relationships, Family Nurturing Center offers family-based services to create the greatest opportunity for lasting change. To assist in identifying and ending child abuse, individuals can look for signs of neglect and abuse and take reporting seriously. Many people choose not to report child abuse because they feel ‘it isn’t that bad,’ ‘the child could be in a worse situation,’ or they ‘do not want to overwhelm the system.’ All of these reasons put more children at risk. The fact is, you don’t have to prove child abuse to report it - you simply have to reasonably suspect it. Allow the proper agencies to identify whether abuse is present or not. Signs of child abuse include the appearance of frequent bruising, withdrawal from friends or activities, changes in behavior, depression or loss of self confidence and attempts at self-harm, to name a few. It is important to note that child abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, medical or neglect. It is important to be vigilant and ensure children are hitting milestones. Ask questions and be observant. Children’s well-being is an adult responsibility. Permanent cultural change in the way a community prevents and responds to child abuse occurs by educating adults and empowering individuals. Committing time and resources to do this is an investment in a better future. “The league is energized to be partnering with FNC to tackle this tough topic. Our league’s focus area is strengthening childhood environments and FNC is an amazing organization battling this very issue at its forefront. We’re building a foundation to trust working directly with our community while also helping support and serve FNC in its daily operations. It takes each one of us, simply paying attention to the children of our community, to make an impact on child abuse prevention.” - Emily Reinhold, JLC Program Acceleration Committee Chair 6
Winter 2022
