2024 Progress Report
OUR CUP BY CUP MISSION
Since the very beginning, Community Happens Here has been committed to discovering what genuinely & meaningfully brings people together.
We’re dedicated to nurturing human connection by creating spaces of conversation, learning, empathy and hospitality both in our space and around our city.
Our flagship program, Sidewalk Hospitality, offers a free and friendly space for neighbors to meet one another while they learn new skills and share unique experiences. We also provide programming support to neighborhood celebrations like Ridge Day, Play in the Park, and Pleasant Ridge Montessori School’s Fall Festival.
As we embrace evidence-based strategies to increase social connection, train our youth volunteers to become facilitators of crosscultural conversations, and invite members of our community to engage with one another at our other neighborhood-focused programs, we hope to continue to establish ourselves as cutting-edge, place-based, human-oriented experts in cultivating connections that empower people and communities to flourish.
EXPANDING OUR REACH
In May 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General released a Public Health Advisory expressing sincere concern about our national “epidemic of loneliness and social isolation”. That’s why Community Happens Here continues to provide programming and build physical infrastructure that empowers neighborhood connection.
The Surgeon General’s recent report makes it abundantly clear: Opportunities for human connection improve health outcomes for individuals. These findings have resulted in renewed institutional interest in organizations that bring people together. It’s also encouraged us to continue to bring humancentered, technology-free programming to our neighborhoods of focus. Indeed, the Surgeon General insists that local leaders should make considerable effort to strengthen their social infrastructure. That recommendation has given Community Happens Here numerous opportunities to extend our reach.
SHARING OUR METHOD
In June, a team of leaders from The Well at Springfield in Jacksonville, FL visited Community Happens Here to learn more about our people-connecting methods. We exchanged ideas, articulated what we’ve learned, and encouraged this like-minded organization to take on the important task of building bridges across boundaries.
DID YOU KNOW?
Communities with higher levels of social connection typically enjoy significantly better health outcomes than communities that have lower levels. On average, a oneunit increase in social capital increases the likelihood of survival by 17% and of selfreporting good health by 29%
THE HUMAN LIBRARY
QUEEN CITY BALLADEERS
NEIGHBORHOOD EGG HUNT
Check out our Human Library recap video.
RENOVATION UPDATE 06
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Chaatrik Architecture & Urban Design; Jeff Meyung, LLC; River View Heating & Cooling; Seiler’s Landscaping, Cathy Wells, Brad Wells, Tony Wells, Kingsley
Wientge, Michael Hollman
FRONT EXTERIOR
DINING SPACE
In 2022, Community Happens Here was presented with a unique opportunity to expand our physical footprint, which led to the purchase of the building next door to our 6238 Montgomery Road space. With the support of generous donors and a substantial federal grant, we removed walls on the first floor to create a large gathering space with a full, functioning kitchen. We also created spacious outdoor patios both in front of and behind the building to facilitate neighborhood connections.
SITTING ROOM
Once the interior renovations to this building were complete, we opened the space to our community as a furnished rental. Over the past year, this freshly renovated facility has served as a welcome refuge for three families in transition. The building has also hosted team retreats, vibrant community dinners, and a one-day trauma-informed drama camp for young women. Moving forward, we’re excited for the many ways we can leverage this additional square footage to advance our mission.
KITCHEN
ENTRY AREA
INVESTING IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERS
Community Happens Here is committed to strengthening our community through strategic partnerships because we’re confident that our local impact is maximized when we work in collaboration with other organizations & initiatives.
With that conviction in mind, we’ve maintained our support for the Coffee Cup Cafe at Pleasant Ridge Montessori School, providing essential staffing, supplies, and administrative oversight to this award-winning, in-school entrepreneurship initiative. Last year, over 100 students participated in this unique skills-based program that introduces students to business basics, presents them with real-world problem-solving opportunities, provides them with practical job skills, and empowers them to be future marketplace and academic leaders.
We’ve also partnered with Imagine Cincinnati, a pioneering initiative for parents and caregivers that empowers children and families to create
sustainable rhythms and rituals, find rooting in nature, and discover they are not alone. In addition to hosting Imagine Cincinnati’s weekly Friday-morning playgroup, we’ve also offered budgetary oversight and grant writing support to help grow this cutting-edge initiative in its early days.
As always, we’ve continued to provide valuable meeting space to several area nonprofits, enabling them to carry out their vital work in our community.
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Check out the whimsical recap video of the Enchanted Tea Party we hosted in partnership with Imagine Cincinnati.
COFFEE CUP ENTREPRENEURS
IMAGINE CINCINNATI
“This
place has changed my life. As a single mom starting my own business, I’m glad to have a space to meet clients, bring my kids, and build a future that didn’t seem possible before.
BRIANA WEATHERS Owner,
The Greater Cincinnati Notary & Courier Service
BECOME A COWORKER
Want to make difference where you work while you work? Learn more about becoming a coworking member.
Throughout the week, our building buzzes with activity as neighbors take advantage of our flexible, professional workspaces. Whether you’re a student studying for an exam, a freelancer seeking a quiet corner to tackle a project, or a small team brainstorming ideas, we offer the perfect setting to get things done.
“This year, we’ve seen an increase in co-working activity, as new business owners and solo-preneurs have signed up to use our building to host seminars and meet clients, while enjoying our fast internet, free coffee, and printing. Others have leveraged dollars made available through their employer to secure a peaceful place to work outside of their homes.
By choosing Community Happens Here for your co-working needs, you’re not just securing a productive workspace. Your membership directly supports our mission of connecting neighbors across difference.
COWORKING FOR A CAUSE
COWORKING AMENITIES
• Fiber Optic Internet with 200mbps Download Speed
• Laser Printing
• Six Private Meeting Rooms
• Free Coffee, Tea, & Hot Chocolate
• Round-theClock Building Access
• Discouts for Students and Start-Ups
12
202 4 DONORS
CAPACITY BUILDERS
Capacity Builders give gifts totalling $1000 or more anually to empower Community Happens Here to become a rooted and sustainable institution.
Anonymous Donor
Kirsten Gardner
Esper Tovar
Wolfe-Jewell Fund
Tony & Liz Wells
Mary Austin
Mary Baskett
SUPPORTING NEIGHBORS
Supporting neighbors expand our impact through one-time gifts, or regular donations of $35 or more monthly.
Bobby Fisher
Cathy Bernardino Bailey
Derek Terry
Jeanette Springs
Jacqueline Bonfield
Jason and Susana Chamlee
Jen Fisher
Joel Kellner
CONVERSATION STARTERS
Jordan Bankston
Paula Mertes
Sara Bourgeois
Tamarra Kauffman
Conversation Starters fiel our regular programming through one-time gifts, or regular donations of $10 or more monthly.
Adler the Eagle
Aiesha Wright
Alex Godlewski
Andrew Bernier
Angie Okuda
Ann Coates
Bill Frost
Caitlin Siegel
Carolyn Burke
Carolyn Heck
Dan Wood
David Kramp
Deb Chambless
Denise and Marty Hovey
COWORKING MEMBERS
Co-working Members support our mission by signing up for paid memberships to make use of our space throughout the work week.
21st Century Church
American Legacy Theater
Cecilia Rose
Elizabeth Wilson
Elliott Webber
Erica Strauss
Heather Culbertson
Janet Bohne
Joey Sacino
Jonathan Kyrlach
Kate Hanisian
Kate Johantgen
Kate Offutt
Katie Simon
Kim Panther
Kimberly Panther
Laura Hershberger
Community Learning Center LLC
Edible Ohio Valley Foundation
Greater Cincinnati Notary & Courier Service
Henry Wood
Jennifer Kramer-Wine
Kayla Wheeler
Latitude Education Labs
Mfonobong Udoko
National Society of Black Engineers
Nature Brooks
Nikki Ridenour
Suzanne Kammer
Zack Budde
Zero Tier
Laura Weber-Pitman
Lauren Farquhar
Martin Webster
Mary Laymon
Meredith Amann
Monica Obaga
Natalie Ochmann
Nicholas Kettler
Owen Thomas
Simone Charles
Steve Simon
Susan Rogers
PROGRAMMING SPONSORS
Program Sponsors provide direct finanical support for our neighborhood-focused programming.
Buddy’s Flooring America
Financially U
River View Heating & Cooling
The Blenk Team
CONVENERS
Conveners leverage their event spending, hosting gatherings inside or outside our facilities to support our mission.
Bulgarian Association of Cincinnati
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
Kennedy Heights Community Council
Pleasant Ridge Business Association
Pleasant Ridge Community Council
Strategies to End Homelessness
The League of United Latin American
Citizens - Cincinnati Chapter
University of Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Walnut Hills 50th High School Reunion
YMCA of Greater Cincinnati
With special gratitude to our individual donors and our coworking members, we’re excited to report that we’ve been able to invest more than $100k into our neighbor-connecting mission this year. We remain committed to running a lean organization, leveraging every dollar recieved for maximum local impoact.
MAKE A PLAN TO GIVE
HOW YOU CAN HELP
The conversations are different here…”
HUMAN LIBRARY PARTICIPANT
Community Happens Here exists because of the ongoing generosity of our neighbors. To sustain our local presence, consider your own budget and become a regular donor or a one-time giver. Every gift makes a difference!
BECOME A COWORKER BECOME A COWORKER
Leverage your resources to support a local nonprofit with an important mission by becoming a coworker. Funds received from coworking memberships make a significant impact on our bottom line.
JOIN US ON THE SIDEWALK
Our mission is centered on creating spaces and programs that help neighbors learn to connect more meaningfully with one another. Committing to attend even just one Sidewalk Hospitality gathering a month places you in the middle of this vital work by strengthening the experience we can offer to others.
The kinds of cross - and counter -cultural connections we see every Saturday are what’s motivated me to action from the very beginning. In that time, I’ve seen shy kids become confident, friends connect over games, and strangers become neighbors.
Whenever I see this community “happening”, I’m reminded that Community Happens Here is more than just a physical place; it’s a symbol of hope and connection. It’s a reminder that kindness and understanding can be found in the smallest of places.
I think of this building as an “outpost,” a stop along the journey where visitors find rest, refreshment and human connection.
This outpost of intentionality, where conversations begin and the only agenda is to encourage and develop the practice of relating to one another, is a place we hope can be a model for others in their daily life.
Our desire is that all our neighbors might become outposts of kindness in their own communities. With a little effort, I truly believe we can create a world where everyone feels welcomed, seen, heard, and connected.
A NOTE FROM OUR FOUNDER
