Mentor and Mentee Celebrate Three Years of Their Extraordinary Relationship

While her own family remains in Puerto Rico, where she was raised, Mariela Oyola-Brauch beams, “My relationship with my mentee, Bridgette, is more than merely a mentoring relationship – for me, she and her family are my family.”

When her employer, Procter & Gamble, partnered with Cincinnati Youth Collaborative (CYC) to recruit Hispanic employees to join their mentoring initiative, Mariela felt compelled to enroll. She says, “I wanted to help cultivate a future generation of Hispanics who are educated and involved in their communities.”

CYC, a United Way of Greater Cincinnati agency partner, provides mentoring and college readiness services to young people in grades 3 through 12, ensuring that these children graduate from high school prepared for postsecondary education or rewarding employment.

Mariela’s mentee, Bridgette, who will begin her 8th grade year at the Academy of Multilingual Immersion Studies (AMIS) in the fall, recalls the day she finally met Mariela after discovering the program through her school. She thought, “Wow, I got her! Everyone wanted her.”

Young and approachable, Mariela saw Bridgette from then on as much as possible – sometimes two or three times a week – to cook, play volleyball, swim, or see a play.

Research shows that a child with a sustained and supportive relationship with at least one caring adult achieves positive outcomes like academic success and social skills development.

Bridgette’s grades had always been a point of contention. But now, well into the third year of their relationship, even this trying area is seeing improvement. And, more confident and outspoken than she was before she met Mariela, Bridgette has been recognized as “student of the month” several times.

Mariela recollects to when Bridgette felt that there was no point to graduating from high school. She remembers a night when Bridgette modeled Mariela’s lab coat and pretended to be a doctor. For Mariela, that night constituted a turning point – and Bridgette now expresses hopes of becoming a nurse.

Recently, Mariela was awarded the Wendy Steel Award for Excellence in Mentoring. Having now run the mentoring initiative at P&G for two years, she aspires to expand the program by collaborating with supplementary community partners and encouraging P&G employees abroad to initiate their own programs.

With reflection, Bridgette says, “If I wasn’t with Mariela, I’d be lost. I think I’d get in trouble in school and my grades would still be low.” Mariela counters, “I just hope that Bridgette continues to be a great daughter and friend, and that she finds something that can sustain her.”

Mariela smiles, “It’s our community’s responsibility to foster youth. Mentoring has been the most gratifying experience of my life.”

For United Way’s annual Day of Action, held this year on June 21, nearly 75 mentors, mentees and prospective mentors participated in United Way’s Mentoring Fair, in conjunction with United Way Worldwide’s efforts to recruit one million volunteer tutors and mentors over the next three years. To find out more about mentoring, or to find a mentoring opportunity that aligns with your interests, please visit http://uwgc.volunteermatch.org.

Industrious Mother Achieves Employment After Her Apartment Complex Closes

Shay was referred to Welcome House (WHO) of Northern Kentucky when the complex she was living in announced it was closing for extensive renovations. One month later, Shay and her nine-year-old daughter, Khiarah, moved into WHO’s Gardens at Greenup.

WHO collaborates with the community to provide a continuum of services for individuals and families who are either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Gardens at Greenup is a residential-based program of WHO for single parents and their children with on-site support services.

United Way of Greater Cincinnati is focused on ensuring that all families and individuals achieve financial stability. We work with systems and partners to guarantee that low-income working families and individuals have stable incomes and accessible financial resources.

Residents at the Gardens have their own individual case management plans, and are required to either be in school and/or working, maintain passing grades, and participate in budgeting classes, with a shared goal of becoming self-sufficient and, ultimately, financially stable. “Gardens is like a family,” says Shay. “We carpool to school together, watch each other’s kids, and meet regularly to share meals.”

Soon after Shay and Khiarah moved into the Gardens, she learned of an opportunity to be matched with a United Way Women’s Leadership Council (WLC) member who would act as her mentor.

The WLC is committed to making a positive impact on the community with a special emphasis on helping women become more self-sufficient. WLC members co-host regular workshops, including parenting, good health, resume writing, and financial planning classes for the residents.

Together for two years now, Shay and her mentor, Kathy Gaines, principal at Deloitte & Touche, share a mutual admiration. “Kathy gives me the valuable perspective from someone who has already worked hard to be successful and knows what my next move should be.”

With support from Kathy and the Gardens’ services, Shay became the first in her family to graduate from college last year, and is now working part-time as an advocate at the YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter, another United Way funded program. “If not for the Gardens, I may not have graduated—they’ve helped me in so many ways.”

Kathy says, “Despite her significant challenges, she’s remained aspirational. Instead of getting discouraged, she got determined.”

New to Cincinnati, Young Attorney Finds Volunteer Niche with EITC Tax-Prep

United Way of Greater Cincinnati’s efforts to provide solutions for increasing income, establishing savings, achieving home ownership, and enhancing economic self-sufficiency are critical in today’s economy. United Way’s Regional Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Collaborative helps families make work pay by providing free tax preparation services at nearly 80 sites throughout the region.

New to Cincinnati, University of Michigan Law School graduate Jonathan Brodhag, pictured above, perused UWGC’s web site, uwgc.org, for an engaging volunteer opportunity. He says, “The EITC tax prep opportunity grabbed me mainly because it fit my schedule as I was studying for the bar exam, and I was able to use my accounting skills.”

Jonathan is now in his second year as an EITC tax-prep volunteer and is working as the assistant city solicitor with the City of Cincinnati’s Economic Development Department.

In his capacity as a volunteer, he has enjoyed meeting many unique individuals. “A number of people have made an impact on me. From the couple in their mid-80’s to the single mom or dad showing up with all their kids, it’s admirable that they took the time needed to prepare—maybe while even holding down two jobs or coming off the third shift.”

Financial stability is one of the key factors to building strong and stable families, and, in turn, strong and stable communities. By accessing public benefits, such as the EITC, families can build savings and sustain financial assets.

Jonathan comments, “The program is providing such a great service—if you can wait 10 days to get your refund, you can get it all done for free!” While many filers are subject to service fees and refund anticipation loans sold to them by for-profit businesses, this free service returned $19.1 million to families and individuals through 16,553 filed returns in the 2010 tax-filing season.

Local Mother Embraces Learning Outside of the Classroom

The Brafford girls, pictured at right, were invited to participate in the bornlearning™ Academy at Beechgrove Elementary almost two years ago. Developed by United Way of Greater Cincinnati Success By 6® in partnership with Kenton Country Schools and Northern Kentucky University faculty, the bornlearning™ Academy is a workshop series that teaches parents of children from prenatal to five years of age how to turn everyday moments into learning opportunities.

Because youth spend 80 percent of their time in settings other than school, academic enrichment must be advanced through real-world experiences and community activities. Class topics vary each month, focusing on interactive activities using household items. “The concept is so simple, but so powerful once you've been given the tools," Kristen said.

High school dropouts are more than 18 years in the making. Children start learning at birth and the foundation for future learning is laid in the first few years. Disadvantaged children may come to school at least two years behind their peers in pre-reading skills, and most never catch up.

Kristen says, “If my mom had known how important the first five years are, things may have turned out differently for me.” However, her girls are adapting to the Academy’s lessons immediately, both of whom are now reading at a first grade level. She says, “My girls can’t wait for school everyday, and are already planning their futures.”

As a convening leader in early childhood, United Way is committed to ensuring that children are prepared to enter Kindergarten ready to succeed. As part of our initiative, 15 additional schools in the Northern Kentucky area have begun reaching out to families in their communities through the bornlearning™ Academy, beginning to build partnerships early and create effective transitions to school.

"I am so proud to be a part of a community that is willing to take time and effort to make our children's future a priority," says Kristen. "It's not only their future, but ours as well."

Sometimes it takes a dog - or two!

Can dogs Live United? We have certainly seen them dressed in Live United t-shirts on occasion, posed for that great photo op. But can they make a contribution to United Way's goals for a region of healthy people and vibrant communities? Just a few weeks ago, I could not have imagined that a couple of "throw-away" dogs would be adding - in their own, small way - to the health of my family and my neighborhood.

Although my husband and I had talked about adding a dog to our family for more than a year, we had not done anything about it, since we have a rescue cat and were unsure how that would mix. But it seems this dog ownership thing was meant to happen, once I looked into the eyes of one particular canine specimen who seemed to be saying, "I am going home with you. End of story." And it wasn't just that one, beautiful soulful-eyed dog in the crate at the adoption event outside the pet store where we had gone to get something for the cat. He had a companion - a little fur ball of energy - and they were labeled "inseparable, two adoptions for the cost of one."

Jump ahead a few weeks. These two loving adult dogs have moved from "death row" of a kill shelter to a rescue agency and, ultimately, to our house. They now have us walking our neighborhood two miles a day at a minimum. And while this has always been an exercise goal, we have come up short on a regular basis. But no more. Our new routine - and the joy these creatures' open hearts are providing - should help us battle pounds and stave off future health issues.

Other dog owners will relate to a dog's ability to build community. Neighbors who never gave more than a casual wave have become acquaintances and, in some cases, friends. It turns out the woman who helped us the day one of the dogs escaped goes to our church. She has been checking on us and our progress with our new additions. A young dad who brings his two-year-old to the street to pet the dogs has a brother-in-law from my husband's hometown. And, as it turns out that drivers will slow down much more readily for dogs than they will for mere human pedestrians, they add to our safety.

We have even talked about the possibility of having them become therapy dogs, if we can get them to pass the behavior evaluation. They seem like great potential candidates for listening to struggling young readers or visiting hospitals or nursing facilities. Now that would really be a way for these two critters to Live United. Pass the extra-small t-shirts!

Grandmother Finds Purpose and Inspiration Through Her Volunteer Work

Following her retirement, Catherine Owens reflects, “I was just spending my days in front of the TV. I knew there was more for me out there, I just didn’t know what it was.”

Now, ‘Grandmother,’ as she is affectionately known, is a daily fixture and vital member as a full-time community volunteer with the FamiliesFORWARD program at Hoffman-Parham Elementary School in Evanston. Catherine, pictured at left, accompanies Charlene Miller , prevention specialist for the site (pictured at Catherine's right), on students’ home visits after school and chaperones dental or eye doctor appointments.

FamiliesFORWARD, a United Way of Greater Cincinnati agency partner, brings children, families, schools, and communities together for mutual benefit through full-service family resource centers in schools, including behavior management and after-school programming.

Education is the cornerstone of individual and community success. Research has shown that a sustained and supportive relationship with at least one caring adult is proven to promote positive outcomes, like academic success and social skills, and reduce risky behaviors, such as alcohol and tobacco use. In addition, quality home visitation programs have been proven to encourage a nurturing home environment, increasing children’s success in school and life.

Catherine first encountered FamiliesFORWARD when, then 63 years old, she and her daughter were logging the required 500 hours of manual labor on the Habitat for Humanity house she was rewarded. Finding herself in need of clothes and food for her grandchildren, the agency provided the help she needed.

Today, as a FamiliesFORWARD liaison, she talks to the 7th and 8th graders she works with “about the importance of respecting their parents, and taking value in their appearance. I encourage them to make wise choices and not go down the wrong path.”

Her work with FamiliesFORWARD introduced her to Janilan, a 7th grader who was going down that wrong path. She remembers, “He wanted to run the streets.” With her intervention, Janilan is now a regular visitor to her house. His life has turned around, and his mother credits Catherine with all the progress he’s made.

Home-Delivered Meals Mean Everything to 86 Year-Old Grandmother

Once a committed volunteer at the Middletown Hospital, 86 year-old Wilma (pictured at left) now lives alone, legally blind due to macular degeneration. Wilma was first referred to Middletown Area Senior Citizens, Inc. (MASC), a United Way of Greater Cincinnati agency partner, five years ago for transportation services when she could no longer drive.

United Way is committed to building a stronger, healthier community by supporting agencies that engage individuals, like Wilma, who are frail or elderly in programs that promote wellness, independence, and social engagement. Because older adults with fixed or limited incomes often consume diets of lower nutritional quality and are twice as likely to have poor health status, MASC provides nutritionally balanced home-delivered meals, transportation services, and social services aid to persons 60 and over who are homebound, unable to prepare their own meals, or have no one to cook for them.

The agency has since expanded its outreach to her, including daily home-delivered meals and Becky, an in-home aid who comes once per week. Becky helps with grocery shopping and bill paying, but, most importantly, provides Wilma with moral support and companionship. Steve, a MASC employee, visits Wilma daily, delivering not only a nutritional meal, but also checking on her well-being and making sure she’s OK.

Wilma says, “I wouldn’t have any reason to get out of bed and get dressed if it weren’t for Becky or Steve coming over.”

Through such outreach programs, we can help individuals, like Wilma, maximize their independence, financial stability, and quality of life. 3,571 Middletown clients were served by home delivered meal programs in 2010.

Read It Or Weep

Use it or lose it.

It's an old adage I've always heard regarding the human body. Get out there and move, or someday your body will betray your brain, your intentions, your memory.

The same can be said for the brain, itself.

Probably the most valuable organ in the human anatomy, the brain operates in many ways like a muscle. First, we learn our A-B-Cs. Then we learn how to read and write simple sentences. Someday, some of us go on to write books, dissertations, legal arguments and other complicated papers.

But it all starts with being able to read words like CAT, DOG and BUS.

Reading is one of the most fundamental skills we can develop to help ensure continued life success. The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is doing a great job of encouraging both kids and adults to pick up a book with its Team Read summer reading program.

It's as easy as creating a profile, logging on and entering the books you read over the course of the summer. Participants are eligible to win prizes including Cincinnati Reds and Coney Island tickets and Nook Color e-readers.

Sounds pretty nifty to me.

So, create a profile for your child or yourself, log on, and get reading.

Your brain will thank you.

Displaced Worker Avoids Foreclosure and Receives Job Training

The Greater Cincinnati area is plagued by rising foreclosure rates. Due in part to persisting unemployment and underemployment, 2,940 Hamilton County households filed for foreclosure in 2010. In addition, both foreclosure listings and completed sales are up from 2009, providing additional incentive for lenders to pursue foreclosure proceedings.

In October of 2009, Ron was laid off from his position as an electrician, where he had worked for thirty years. His wife also lost her job around the same time, and was then unable to return to the workforce because of health issues.

Ron immediately approached his bank to explain the situation, and was successful in negotiating a temporary agreement, which he followed to the letter. Though he put as much money as he could into the newly established escrow account, he was still behind on his mortgage payments when he approached Working In Neighborhoods (WIN).

WIN provides counseling to families and individuals at risk of foreclosure, helping them negotiate a loan modification or a refinance agreement with their lenders. WIN negotiated with Ron’s lender and provided budget counseling. They referred him to additional resources for which he was eligible. As stipulated in their agreement, Ron tracked his expenses and provided regular updates on his job search.

Ron was unsuccessful in finding gainful employment seven months into his job search. With a referral to Super Jobs, another United Way agency partner, for job training, Ron was thrilled to secure a scholarship to attend trucking school.

While still in the program, Ron contacted top trucking companies, making in-roads to possible job openings. After he graduated at the top of his class, he received an offer within a week, and now makes more money than he ever did in 30 years of electrical work. In addition, Ron successfully secured the $5,000 he needed to submit his mortgage payments in full.

As taxpayers and neighbors, we are all affected by the hidden costs of foreclosure. As families lose their homes and connections to their communities, neighborhoods deteriorate, and municipalities face additional financial burdens to inspect, maintain, or demolish foreclosed and vacant properties, United Way is committed in our partnership efforts to continue providing solutions for individuals and families to increase income, establish savings, achieve home ownership, and enhance economic self-sufficiency.

LIVE UNITED for Leadership

One person can make a difference.

It's a trite idea but something that I grabbed on to when I was younger. Between my parents, some inspirational mentors and committed teachers, I managed to develop the belief that I hold the power to make change.

It seems I am not the only one who believes this.

Sunday afternoon brought with it the amazing opportunity for me to speak to some students involved with Leadership Scholars. I was invited to serve as a panelist to discuss my involvement in the community and why I remain dedicated to the cause.

It's an easy thing for me to talk about. I've always been a "joiner," especially if the end goal is to make a difference.

About 50 high schoolers from around Greater Cincinnati joined us to hear from myself and two other panelsts about how we've developed to aspire to leadership, beginning with our respective service endeavors as young people.

The students asked us about significant milestones in our past, what we hope to accomplish in our future, and some of the biggest obstacles we've faced as we've traveled the path of service.

There are so many young people in our community seeking opportunities to learn more, do more and experience more. For those of us farther along the path, we have an obligation to raise up these young people, encourage them and give them the tools they need so they can carry on with our work in the future.

Sunday's forum gave me a much-needed reality check and inspired me to consider how I'm engaged with the community. I left asking myself How can I make the biggest impact? How can I help shape tomorrow's leaders? How can I leave a lasting legacy on the future?

What about you?

Lessons Learned

The highlight of our weekends is usually the time we get to spend with the boys at a local residential home. Even if I'm feeling slightly crabby, or absorbed in a problem of my own, when we walk onto that unit, and thier faces light up - nothing else matters. Regardless of what we end up doing that afternoon - fixing their Mp3 players, making cookies or just playing a board game - I know that I got as much or more out of the visit than they did.
One of the boys is prolific writer - he eagerly shows me his latest chapters in his book, or the newest addition to his play. His writing is autobiographical - and heart-wrenching for me to read. But it's his resiliency and motivation - despite the horrors of his recent past - that strikes me the most. He wants to get published - and I don't know the first thing about it - but we're going to work on it together. Because his determination and belief in himself is undeniable.