FAITH COMMUNITY ALLIANCE OF GREATER CINCINNAT
December 3, 2012, 10 AM
URBAN LEAGUE OF GREATER CINCINNATI
AGENDA
OPENING PRAYER AND INTRODUCTIONS
NEED OF SECRETARY FOR TODAY’S MEETING
FINANCES – Eugene Godhigh, Ton Conlon
Dues reminder
Volunteer Accountant
Income to buy table at Homeless Coalition Dinner, December 11
OLD BUSINESS
Reminder new FCA email address is fcacincinnati@aol.com and website if
www.FaithCommunityAlliance.org
Status of Letter Support for Madisonville Parkway
Status of FCA Face Book page
Acceptance of 2011 Annual Report
NEW BUSINESS
PRESENTATIONS
COLLATERAL SCANTION BILL AFFECTING EX=FELONS – PHILLIP Nunez, Executive
Director of Volunteers of America
UPDATE ON CINCINNATI METROPOLITAN HOUSING AUTHORITY – Greg Johnson,
Executive Director
Partnership for Interfaith Mental Health Inc. – Melanie Recchia, Director of Training at Child Focus
and Chair of the Interfaith Mental Health
UPDATE ON HAMILTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT ON COMMUITY DISEASES
AND OTHER ISSUES - Tonya Key and Mary Ellen Kramer of Hamilton County Health Department
ADVOCACY
Community
Environment – a) Metropolitan Sewer District - Marilyn Wall MSD
Anti-Violence
Cease Fire Cincinnati – Reverend Ennis Tait
Status of Hate Crimes against the Homeless – Josh Spring
Education
a) Prepare the Future – Charles Wallner – Superintendents Summit – December 11
b) Board Reports
1-CPS – Eve Bolton (on vacation)
c) CFT – Julia Sellers
Health
Status of Federal Health Care Law – Donald Washington
UPDATE IN HIV SERVICES FOR GREATER CINCINNATI – see above in programs
Labor – Doug Sizemore, Brentley Davis
Status of outsourcing Cincinnati Bell Services
Housing & Homelessness
Status of Homelessness – Josh Spring
Working with Ex-Felons and Families – Philip Nunes, Volunteers of America, Aaron Greenlea, St.
Elizabeth Baptist Church
Voter Registration – Karen Bell
Faith Community Alliance Meeting
URBAN LEAGUE
November 5, 2012
Attendees: Karen Bell-MAPS, Mary Anne Berry-Women’s City Club, Anita Brentley-Cincinnati
Children’s Hospital, Reg Brazzile – ADC, Christine Brown – Cincinnati Human Relations Commission,
Reverend Dennis Chriszt-Church of the Resurrection,Tamaya Dennard-office of Councilman P.G.
Sittenfeld, Daniel Edmonds, Joshua Enoch- Magic Johnson Bridgescape Academic Accelerated
Achievement Academy, Reverend Aaron Greenlea-St. Elizabeth’s Outreach Mission, Judy Van GinkelCincinnati Children’s Hospital, Bryon Hutchins – Rockdale Baptist Church, Blair Lanier-Breakthrough
Cincinnati, Ben Lindy-Teach for America, Steve DeMar – Southern Ohio Episcopal Diocese, Cheryl
Meadows, Phillip Nunes – Volunteers of America, Reverend Rousseau O’Neal-Rockdale Baptist Church,
Patrice Pennington-Breakthrough Cincinnati, Kim Price – Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cassandra
Robinson-CPPC, Julie Sellers-Cincinnati Federation of Teachers, Missy Steams-Cincinnati Human
Relations Commission, Pastor Ennis Tait – Church of the Living God, Thalia Ghiglia-Church of
Scientology of Greater Cincinnati, Yolanda Waldon – Smart Money, Jimmy Walker-SAAF Ministries,
Marilyn Wall-Sierra Club, Charles Wallner-PBE Services,
Meeting begins with prayer and discussion of old business
PRESENTATIONS
Breakthrough Cincinnati-Blair Lanier and Patrice Pennington
Breakthrough Cincinnati is an academic enrichment program started twenty years ago and, currently,
located in 33 sites across the country. The program works with talented middle school and high school
students inspiring them to go into the field of education. The program provides academic counseling,
college readiness, study skills and tutoring with an emphasis on fun excitement around learning. It is
currently recruiting students in the summer who are in the 5th grade entering 6th grade
Q: Why have we not heard of you? A:, Not sure. Q. What kind of coordination is occurring with the
school system? (Julie S will find out what schools are connected to this project and update the group at
the December meeting). Q: Who are you funded by? A: Funded by area foundations and private
foundations. We have long term funding.
MAGIC JOHNSON BRIDGESCAPE ACADEMIC ACCELERATED ACHIEVEMENT
ACADEMY - Joshua Enoch
The schools are located in Clifton and Downtown Cincinnati as alternative schools for youth, provides a
combination of online and classroom learning. The program in its second year, recruiting youth ages 1421 and has morning or afternoons sessions. There is one on one teacher attention involving real world life
skills. Students receive assistance with finding a job or enrolling in college or technical school after
graduation. The program is free of charge and provides assistance for youth such as daycare, The student
base comes from low income communities. Majority of these kids come from Cincinnati Public Schools
Q: How long have you been in existence? A: In our second year. Q: Do you have a community board? A.
Not yet. Q, Do you have non-profit status. A. Not yet.
At this point, Pastor Greenlee shared his past history with youth and schools and the need to hear about
options for students. Reverend O’Neal discussed Charter schools and his abandonment from this
approach.
Charles Wallner points out that the program is administered through Edison International Community
Education which is a private company that due to opening in October of last year has no academic rating
as yet. Edison has also faced criticism in other parts of the country. Further discussion outlines that part
the program is funded by the Magic Johnson Foundation and the majority of funds through Public School
sources both state and local.
Karen Bell spoke about the program- her granddaughter graduated from Bridgescape and the program
was first class. The program helped her grandchild.
Pasto Godhigh shared his concerns and said that this issue is lack of parent involvement in public
meetings about education. He shared that parents need to share their concerns so that we can get the
school that we need to maintain education.
SAAF COMMUNITIES - Jimmie Walker, Executive Director
Mr. Walker states that SAAF Communities is a wonderful outreach program to the community on health
and education and relationship issues- presenter. The organization hosts back to school rallies in Bond hill
and Winton terrace. During these events parents are encouraged to get involved in the education of their
child (children). Among its programs are: Adopt a Family; Blessed Women’s Health Conference;
Marriage Celebration Day. The program also works with Beech Acres Parenting Center to provide
healthy relationship training. There are Thursday night classes – we will give you a 15.00 gift card if you
participate in all sessions.
Members of FCA who are aware of a business that is interested in thisr program please have them contact
SAAF at www.saafministries@yahoo.com
SOCIAL MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES FOR NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS - Bryan Hutchins,
Rockdale Baptist Church
Mr. Hutchins provided information on how organizations and struggling non-profits can work effectively
with social media. He gives these guidelines First, when working with Social media know your goal;
second, start the conversation on line; third, is there a return on investment; fourth, it takes 3-5 actual
leads to being interacting with a desired contact; fifth, go after influencers such as the local news media.
He reminds the groups that Facebook and Twitter are only a start. Look at the data affecting social media.
For instance, Facebook is becoming over used; and organization’s Website should be more s social. Do
not fall into the idea that there is one source for knowledge in this area. There is no such thing as a guru
and changes happen quickly in the social media world. Develop an online calendar of events and stay
current.
THE FAITH COMMUNITY ALLIANCE WEBSITE – Marilyn Wall, Sierra Club
The Sierra Club developed FCA’s Website and Marilyn reviewed the relative ease by which the site can
be used, not only for announcements about FCA meetings but activities and projects of the membership.
She asked for volunteers to assist in developing the outreach of the site. Volunteers signed a sheet that
was passed among the attendees.
ADVOCACY
Community
Metropolitan Sewer District – Marilyn Wall states that there is no new news about MSD. Its meetings
taking place in closed door discussions. There had been discussion regarding the waterworks and the
sewer district merging but no talks about privatization. It privatized, the City of Cincinnati will lose a
major financial asset in the Water Company.
Charles Wallner points out that the Water Company is engaging a rule that one a single tenant bounces a
check twice in a twelve month period, payments from other tenants, not only at the residence of the
offending tenant, but of all properties associated with the landlord will not be accepted. The landlord will
have to pay through bank check or money order. The Cincinnati Real Estate Association of Greater
Cincinnati will be having its members contact City Council about this rule. Marilyn Wall volunteered to
represent FCA if a meeting occurs between the landlords and the Water Company.
Anti – Violence / Cease Fire – Pastor Ennis Tait
There are behind the scenes discussions regarding the increased homicides in Price Hill. There is a
working with safety teams that are dealing with the issues and concerns of the community to develop a
plan in the next 6 months. There is a comment that “We say peace but we make no effort to live in
peace.” Another comment refers to how well Avondale has done because of ceasefire and other groups.
To stop the violence, there must be a coordinated effort
Education
Prepare the Future – Charles Wallner reports that a follow-up to the legislative breakfast of last May
there will be a Regional Superintendents Forum in December, most likely at the middle of month. It will
be open to the public and all FCA members will be invited. So far the School Districts involved will be
Cincinnati Public Schools, Reading, Princeton, Oak Hills, Lakota and Kings-Mill. Anticipated to join
the panel are Mason Public, Mariemont, Wyoming and Butler Technological Institute. The attempt is for
the region’s school districts to present their concerns and views on public education in Southwest Ohio
before the Governor’s plan is presented to the state legislature in January. The program will be televised
on cable and presented in the four counties. Copies will be presented to state representatives. The
program will be presented at the new Princeton City Schools Administration Building at 3800
Cottingham Drive.
Reverend Rousseau O’Neal shared information about one of the Prepare the Future trip to the statewide
conference in Powell, Ohio with major presenter Diane Ravitch, author of The Death and Life of the
Great American School System. Ms. Ravitch worked under the administration of George Herbert Walker
Bush and was a major architect of the choice movement. Over the years she has become an opponent to
that movement. What struck him most was that in public education, we are more holistic society, but
under charter schools, there is an increased breeding of societal segregation.
Q: How is Prepare the Future measuring the success of education? A: Right now this is difficult. The
Governor has assumed the duty, with a small group, the structure of Ohio education. No one knows
exactly what this committee is going to present to the legislature. But, there is comments that this
committee, itself, is divided among some issues. This has bred some concern among legislators of both
parties what will presented and are not sure that it will be acceptable to their constituents. Consequently,
there is already division in the state legislature. There is already concern about alternative programs to
public schools since a majority of them are not ranking well.
The comment is made that schools are necessary to retool people so as to attract employment to the state.
There is a statement that there should be more discussion on how schools are going to perform their tasks
but, more people are asking about their tax dollars.
CPS- Julie Sellers, CFT President, is able to speak for the CPS Board Reports (Education) stating the
system is making strides and that there are huge changes in individual school performance.
She requests members to Honk and Wave today for Public Schools Issue 42 and that there appears to be
widespread support for the levy. If the levy fails, there will be a major impact on school transportation.
Julie states that there will be a CPS School Board Meeting Today. Areas that are currently being dealt
with are the budget struggle, the need to work with building student futures, past criticism for support for
the charter schools, to have great Community Learning Centers, the 3rd grade reading mandate by the state
(a child cannot go on to 4th grade w/out passing the reading test)
Health
UHCAN- presenter- Karen Bell (for Donald Washington) states that Ohio will look at the federal
exchange promoting education around the Affordable Health Care Act. No child should be uninsured.
There is work being done on senior programs (informing seniors on how to have a voice in determining
their insurance plans).
 Voter registration continues now and after the election
HIV Services- Charlie Wallner states that the County Health Department will be operating a new, and
updatable HIV Website. Plans are being made for World AIDS Day.
Q: – what is the point of the website? A: Resources providers and those with HIV/AIDS on testing sites
and other resources for those suffering from HIV
Labor
There will be a Justice for Janitors Rally. Custodians have spoken out at City Hall. Some employers
retaliated on and fired employees involved. There is an effort to ensure that theyg to get jobs back
Homelessness
Homeless Coalition is Planning Annual Dinner December 11, 2012 to be located at the Syndicate in
Newport.
Ex- Felons Re-entry- Phillip Nunes reports that 300 felons will soon be returning from prison. On
November 19th meeting to discuss housing at Longworth Hall. He refers group to senate bill 237 which
allows employment opportunities for this population.
Pastor Aaron Greenlee shared his history with St Elizabeth’s Outreach Ministry for Ex-Felon’s. The ExOffender program is struggling but doing well. Former prisoners find it difficult to obtain housing. There
is a need for the religious community to step up and help this population. Because of rules governing
Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing people coming out of prison cannot join their families because of their
past criminal records
Closing Prayer and meeting adjourned.