On Saturday, February 18, 2012, at 6 p.m., Cincinnati Union Bethel hosts its 6^th annual Voices from the Heart, a dinner auction to benefit Off the Streets, a program that helps women involved in prostitution move toward safety, empowerment, and community reintegration.  The event, including silent and live auction, is at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, 35 W. Fifth St., in the Pavilion Room.

Registration is $100 a person and includes a three-course dinner, a drink ticket, two glasses of wine with dinner, and music.  Register online at https://secure.pledgeconnect.com/donation.aspx?cincinnatiunionbethel.

For more information, please call 513-768-6931.

Auction Items

Dinner for six from Jeff Thomas Catering
Vacation to the Grand Caymans
Vacation to a Northern Michigan lake house
A three-hour cruise on the Ohio River aboard a yacht
Vacation for up to 8 people to a private Mexican villa in Los Cabos
A week vacation in Hilton Head Island
2012 Fireworks Package from Dan Beard Council, Boy Scouts of America
Vacation for up to 6 to Tennessee, overlooking a golf course
A tour of the historic Rookwood Pottery
$500 shopping spree at TJ Maxx, Marshall’s and/or HomeGoods
A Carol MacConnell original piece of art
Paella Party for 10 people
90 minute walking tour of 4th St. by Dan Hurley, the best local historian
A plane ride for two in two RV-8 planes
Experience being the Cincinnati Police Chief for a Day
A healthy cooking class for up to 10 people at Peachy’s Health Smart
Backstage tour with the Symphony, including tickets and a night’s stay at the Symphony Hotel
Tapas dinner with wine for up to 10 people in your home
Four tickets and a parking pass for a Chicago Bulls game on March 24th in Chicago
Tickets to Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
Membership to the Cincinnati Art Museum
Tickets to CityBeat’s Best of Cincinnati party
Tickets to MidPoint Music Festival
Tickets to Ensemble Theater
Skyline Chili gift card
Dinner at Orchids
Gift certificate to Findlay Market
Tickets to Newport Aquarium
Gift certificate to J. Alexander’s
Certificates for LaRosa’s
A specialty-made pie for each season (four total) from Rollin’ Out the Dough
Certificate to It’s Just Crepes
Tickets to Perfect North Slopes
Certificate to the Melting Pot of Cincinnati
A Family Fun Pack to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
Tickets to the Cincinnati Opera
Gift certificate for 3-course dinner with wine pairings at Eddie Merlot’s
Gift certificate to York Street Cafe
Center-court tickets to Xavier Basketball
Gift certificate to the Bonbonerie
Tickets to Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
Gift certificate to the Cactus Pear
Admission to the Cincinnati Observatory
Private wine tasting and tour at Elk Creek Winery
Basket from Venice on Vine
Admission to the Newport Gangster Tour
Admission to the Queen City Underground Tour
Gift certificate for What’s for Dinner
Tickets to Know Theatre of Cincinnati
Admission to the Taft Museum of Art
Tickets to New Edgecliff Theatre
Dinner for four with wine pairings at Tony’s
Gift certificate to the Wicked Wich
Gift certificate to P.F. Chang’s
Gift certificate to Buca di Beppo
Boy with Dolphin figurine from Rookwood Pottery
Consulting hours with Arbor Living Interiors
An oil painting from Egner Antiques
Football signed by UC Coach Butch Jones
Handmade quilt from the Quilting Queens
Chenille plaid throw
Gift certificate to Gilson’s Gifts
Cocktail Basket
Spanish Basket
Basket and gift card from 10,000 Villages
90-minute massage from Jeanne Miller
Membership at TriHealth Fitness and Health Pavilion
Massage from VIP Back Rubs
A necklace from the Sarah Center
Maui Jim “Wiki Wiki” sunglasses
Versace sunglasses
A bag with a free mini facial, face wash, dermabrasion, and body creme from Origins
Membership at Mercy HealthPlex
Massage at the J Spa
A signed copy of Flunking Sainthood, a fun and uplifting book
Jewelry from Premier Designs
Membership to the YMCA and access to some of the best indoor cycling classes in town
Subscription to Cincinnati Magazine
Gift certificate to Smitty’s Cyclery
Gift certificate to Massage Envy
Danielle Stevens jewelry
Pattern, yarn and knitting needles from Fiberge
Membership at the Mercantile Library
Gift certificate to Strasse Dog
Massages at Equilibrium 3
Gift certificate to Krombholz Jewelers
Wellness/Spa basket
Organizing time with Chaos Contained
Photo session with TornPaper Studios, who is also providing the photography services at Voices from the Heart.  Be sure to say hi to Laura!
Gift certificate at Donovan’s Auto and Tire
Portrait session with Helen Adams Photography
Organizing time with A Place for Everything and Everything in its Place
A Tarot card reading with Patricia Garry
Gift certificate to a salon named desire
Two hours of coaching with Judy Office

Get the facts about the Anna Louise Inn renovation here.  We appreciate you sharing the truth with others.  Thank you!

Wondering what you can do to help?  Read this for suggestions.  And we have all kinds of signs to show your support!  We have bumper stickers, buttons, and yard signs.  Want one?  You can pick one up at the Anna Louise Inn or at our Gilbert location.  Call 768-6931 for more information.

To help the Anna Louise Inn, please donate here.

To voice your support, please sign this.  A number of people have already pledged their support.  Check out the list here.

December 19, 2011

The Church of the Redeemer has written a letter of support for the Anna Louise Inn after meeting with representatives from Western & Southern and Cincinnati Union Bethel.  St. John United Church of Christ of Bellevue, Kentucky has also written a letter of support.  Thank you!

December 15, 2011

We went before Judge Nadel at 10 a.m., in Room 560 in the Hamilton County Courthouse.  Both sides had one witness regarding zoning.  Judge Nadel asked that both sides submit what is called Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law by December 28, 2011.  Essentially each side must state the facts of their side and the conclusions based on those facts.  Judge Nadel will consider those.  Therefore, we expect a decision in early 2012.

Thank you to the many supporters who came to the courtroom today.  We had a packed house!  We can’t thank you enough for taking time in your busy schedules to come downtown.  Your presence made it clear that the community supports housing for women and property rights.  Thank you!

December 14, 2011

The Cincinnati Preservation Association has written a letter of support for the Anna Louise Inn. 

December 1, 2011

The MARCC newsletter, The Common Path, has an article about the Anna Louise Inn in it.  Check it out here.

November 12, 2011

The Bishop and Standing Committee of the Diocese of Southern Ohio, the Episcopal Church, passed a resolution supporting the Anna Louise Inn at their annual convention in Dayton.

Ann, Mary Carol and Brittany at the Episcopal Convention

November 11, 2011

West Chester Presbyterian Church has voiced its support for the Anna Louise Inn, which is consistent with the motion approved by the Presbytery on September 13, 2011.

October 13, 2011

We have learned that we go back to Judge Nadel’s courtroom on Thursday, December 15th for trial.  Our struggle against Western & Southern is definitely not over!  The ruling from the Zoning Board of Appeals certainly helps, but we are still in the midst of this lawsuit.

October 12, 2011

Christ Church Cathedral has been so good to the women at the Anna Louise Inn in so many ways, including their Tuesday night dinners for needy community members.  The Christ Church vestry passed this resolution by a unanimous vote.

September 19, 2011

The Zoning Board of Appeals upheld the issuance of the permit to renovate the Anna Louise Inn and upheld the Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Conservation Board.  Steve MacConnell says, “We’re happy with their decision and believe they fully and correctly made the right decision.”

September 16, 2011

Sixteen residents of Cincinnati Union Bethel’s Anna Louise Inn sued Western & Southern Financial Group in U.S. District Court this morning.  The residents state that their rights under the Federal Fair Housing Act are being violated by the campaign of Western & Southern to force them to leave the Lytle Park neighborhood; Western & Southern has stated that the women living there is “incompatible” in the Lytle Park district.

The lawsuit itemizes some of the tactics used by Western & Southern: “vilifying the female residents of the Anna Louise Inn, photographing residents without their permission, falsely accusing residents of the Anna Louise Inn of engaging in criminal activity and other ‘inappropriate behavior’ in the neighborhood.”  The suit says that Western & Southern has “encouraged business entities and community organizations to oppose the Financing Subsidy of the Inn on the grounds that Anna Louise Inn is detrimental to the well being and development of downtown Cincinnati” and the company has “engaged in frivolous challenges to the approval by the Historic Review Board and has frivolously challenged the building permit for these renovations.”  They have threatened to block charitable contributions to community organizations if the Anna Louise Inn remains at its present site.

Robert Newman of Newman & Meeks, the attorney for the plaintiffs, says, “The Anna Louise Inn has been in its only location in Lytle Park for 102 years and its residents do not want to move.  They regard the Anna Louise Inn as their home.  This is about protecting their rights.”

Bev Chapman, one of the plaintiffs, says, “This is my home and I’ll do whatever I can to save it.  I have friends here.  This place was a godsend for me.”

The residents are seeking both compensatory and punitive damages.

September 13, 2011

The Presbytery of Cincinnati unanimously passed a letter of support for the Anna Louise Inn their meeting today.  We also received a letter of support from the Unitarian Universalist Council of Greater Cincinnati.  Thank you for your support!

September 8, 2011

Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Norbert Nadel has denied our request to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Western & Southern to stop the renovation of the Anna Louise Inn.

“While we are disappointed by the procedural decision,” says Steve MacConnell, president & CEO of Cincinnati Union Bethel, “We have every confidence as the case moves forward that we will prevail on the merits of our case.”

The case is now set for a pre-trial conference on September 20th.

August 25, 2011

The ice cream social was so fun – perfect weather, perfect gelato, and perfect guests!  Thanks to everyone who came!

Up to August 25 – Ice Cream Social

Lytle Park, 4:30 p.m.
No need to RSVP – just come by to enjoy some Dojo Gelato and say hi to friends or meet your neighbors.  We’ll have live music too!  We hope you can join us!

August 10, 2011

The motion to dismiss went before Judge Nadel, who is taking it under advisment.  Our lawyers were wonderful, and the courtroom was full of supporters wearing stickers that said, “I support the Anna Louise Inn.”

Before the motion to dismiss, the Urban Pastors of the Presbytery of Cincinnati in cooperation with the Metropolitan Area Religious Coalition of Cincinnati (MARCC) and other concerned faith leaders hosted a prayer vigil on the courthouse steps.  Hundreds of people came to show their support, and Vice-Mayor Roxanne Qualls spoke to the crowd about how she lived in the Lytle Park district for four years and became friends with residents of the Anna Louise Inn.

August 8, 2011

We have received a letter of support from the Cincinnati Health Network, Inc.  The Mobile Medical Van, a collaborative project of the Cincinnati Health Network, the Cincinnati Health Department and UC’s Department of Family and Community Medicine provides medical care for the residents of the Anna Louise Inn every week.  They have been an invaluable resource to our residents.

August 3, 2011

We thank the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless for their letter of support.  We appreciate the kind words about the Inn and its effect on women in our community.

August 1, 2011

The City Gospel Mission has submitted a letter of support for the Anna Louise Inn renovation.  The Cincinnati National Organization for Women (NOW) hosted us as a guest at their monthly meeting and presented a letter of support.

July 28, 2011

The Cincinnati Women’s Political Caucus has pledged their support to the Anna Louise Inn with this letter.

July 26, 2011

The Woman’s City Club Board voted to support the Anna Louise Inn with this statement:

The Woman’s City Club lends it support to the Anna Louise Inn in its fight against Western & Southern Life who would deny the Inn’s rights to renovate.

We applaud the Inn’s historic mission of providing safe and affordable housing for women and families as they struggle to rebuild their lives.

The Anna Louise Inn is a prized city asset. Identified as a top priority in the City’s Homeless to Homes Plan, it has offered refuge and rehabilitation for poor single women since 1909, and it has provided permanent supportive housing for families and children since 1994. The renovation of its aging facility not only ensures continued quality housing for its residents; it serves economic development in the Lytle Park district. It is good for the city, and it is good for our community.

Jeanne Nightingale, President Woman’s City Club of Greater Cincinnati
Carole Cutter-Hawkins, Vice President for Civic Action

July 6, 2011

The City of Cincinnati issued the necessary building permits for the much needed renovation of the Anna Louise Inn.  Were it not for the current lawsuit, we would be ready to proceed.

In addition to ensuring quality housing for our residents, the renovation is good for economic development with an estimated 150+ jobs!

June 27, 2011

The Historic Conservation Board has approved the Anna Louise Inn renovation plans.

We have learned that the motion to dismiss that we filed is scheduled to be heard on August 10th, at 11 a.m. before Judge Nadel.  We will let you know if this date changes.

June 23, 2011

Response to Former Sen. George Voinovich

Former Sen. Voinovich, we respect your history and what you have done for the community, but you are clearly being deceived by John Barrett, CEO of Western & Southern.

First of all, as a former politician, you understand how tax credits work.  The federal government puts aside money specifically for permanent supportive housing.  If we don’t use the tax credits, they aren’t going to be used to keep our pools open or fix the streets.  They will go to another city toward a permanent supportive housing project.

Barrett knows this because Western & Southern has used tax credits in the past for building projects.  Ironic that the tax credits weren’t a waste of taxpayer funds when Western & Southern was building Brackett Village, but they are now when we want to renovate a beautiful building, strengthening the neighborhood and the city?  The renovation project itself will put people to work; the women who live in the building work and support the tax base.

A frivolous lawsuit against the city is a waste of taxpayer money.

We’re not sure how we can have inconsistent social services when we have been doing the same thing – providing safe and affordable housing for women for over 100 years.  And as much as the Western & Southern PR machine likes to throw around the word prostitute, understand this: the women we serve in the Off the Streets program are women on the path of recovery and we provide safe and affordable housing for them.  That is not a change.  It’s simply an uneducated and vicious attack on our women.

You also mention a homeless shelter for men, women, and children.  This dates back to 1994 when, at the City’s request, a separate part of our building was rehabbed to provide transitional housing for homeless families.  Most often, these are families with single mothers; however, when dad was part of the family, we offered a safe space for the family to stay together.  This would hardly be considered a new program.  If you rent the apartment above your garage, it doesn’t change the fact that your house is a home for your wife and you, does it?  No, it doesn’t, anymore than providing space for the Family Living Center changed the mission of the Anna Louise Inn.

It’s curious that you mention a fair market value.  Our long history of offers from Western & Southern is well below fair market value.  If your house has a market value of $120,000, offering $15,000 is not a fair price.  And Western & Southern cut off negotiations with us – until we had taken a different avenue and received the tax credits.  At that point, the building was no longer for sale.

Cincinnatians deserve the truth.  Truth: we have sat down with Western & Southern in an effort to be good neighbors, only to be insulted.  Truth: if a company is trying to steal a building, it’s a misuse of power.  Truth: Western & Southern doesn’t want a win-win; they want our building.

We’re willing to share the truth with you and your fellow board members.  If you truly care about women in Cincinnati, we invite you to visit the Anna Louise Inn with us.

June 21, 2011

The Board of the Metropolitan Area Religious Coalition of Cincinnati sent a letter of support to Cincinnati City Council and the City Manager in January as one of the first groups to publicly support the renovation of the Anna Louise Inn.  You may read a copy here.

June 14, 2011

We have asked that the unfounded lawsuit against us be dismissed.  You can read the Cincinnati Enquirer article about it here.

The League of Women Voters has voiced their support for the Anna Louise Inn renovation.  Read more here.

A recent graduate of the University of Cincinnati wrote about having John Barrett of Western & Southern, the one orchestrating the attack against the Anna Louise Inn, as the keynote speaker at UC’s graduation.  Read more here.

June 12, 2011

There were two articles in the Cincinnati Enquirer on Sunday, June 12, about the Anna Louise Inn.

The first is an editorial from our Board Chair, Charley Milton:

The other is a Q&A with reporter Jane Prendergast:

June 9, 2011

Unfortunately, John Barrett, Chair and CEO of Western & Southern, has not seen the error of his ways and withdrawn the lawsuit against the City of Cincinnati and the Anna Louise Inn.  Therefore, we have retained legal counsel in order to defend our own property and the rights of our residents.

Barrett believes our neighbors should have a say in whether we renovate our building; they have.  Many of our neighbors wrote letters of support so that we could receive the tax credits, and the renovation of the Anna Louise Inn was the number one project ranked by the Ohio Housing Finance Agency.  But Barrett chooses to ignore these facts.  One wonders what the Western & Southern Board of Directors thinks of this attack on a project that has a range of support from the Lytle Park area.

We believe our clients should have a say.  This is what one resident wrote to us after reading about the lawsuit in the newspaper:

“Hear, Hear!” I am so proud to be a resident of the Anna Louise Inn since March 2006.  It was a safe, affordable place to find for my housing needs when I had no place to turn, with my specific background.

I had sacrificed my career goals as a single parent to raise my daughter in a good neighborhood (Forest Park in my mother’s home) and do my best to give her a good start to be educated, an independent young lady, who would have a good work ethic.  I was able to succeed because she has her own entrepreneur business.

Then I found myself at the end of that 20 year period trying to adjust back to my career goals at the age of 55.  Anna Louise Inn was a Godsend that has met my needs.  My health issues have interfered with my ability to earn the income that my bachelor’s degree, from Xavier University 1978, should afford me.  So by living at the Inn, I have been able to maintain my financial independence and dignity, which in pursuit of my career goals.  These economic times have put me and thousands of my generation, in a bad position of type of work availability, in our chosen fields and too young to quit working.

So in reading the Cincinnati Enquirer article, it reaffirms to me the continual challenge of Corporate America pushing the average citizen (especially the poor) around makes me feel less stressful that I have a David (Cincinnati Union Bethel) on my side.  This is one Anna Louise Inn resident who appreciates all the fighting you are doing.  I pray it ends in success for many.

~Arleshia

Volunteers from P&G decorated Christmas trees with residents from the Anna Louise Inn.  The trees were then donated to people living at the Oak Pavilion in Clifton. 

Volunteer Rachel Robitz and graduate Carolyn Dawson were recognized in the Ohio Psychiatric Physicians Foundation’s Foundation Matters for leading a new curriculum for Off the Streets called Women Leading Healthy Change.  It has been funded through the American Psychiatric Foundation.  To see the article, click here.

President and CEO Steve MacConnell says, “We are very honored because a volunteer nominated us.”

Alice Skirtz, who is part of the Friends of ALI Committee, nominated the Inn.  You may read her nomination here. 

According to Josh Spring, Executive Director of the Homeless Coalition, the Coalition believes that CUB has been a “model organization.”  He says, “They, along with the women who live at the Anna Louise Inn, have signaled to the public that all have the right to be where they chose, that deep-pockets don’t give you the power to control others and that our city benefits from affordable housing.”

We are very excited!  And we truly value the nature of this award because it required us to self-examine our processes. 

We congratulate the excellent nonprofits in our company: Assistance League of Greater Cincinnati, 4C for Children, Redwood, Society of St. Vincent DePaul, and The Children’s Home-Cincinnati.

To learn more, please visit http://www.one-center.com/.

The grant will be used to provide general support for the Off the Streets program, which helps women involved in prostitution move toward safety, empowerment and community reintegration. 

CUB President and CEO Steve MacConnell says, “The Health Foundation, dedicated to improving community health, awarded a grant for the planning phase of the Off the Streets program in 2005 and has continued to be a strong supporter.  We are especially pleased by this grant because it was designated through the advised grant program at the Foundation.  We will continue to strive for excellence in serving the community and helping women in order to honor this trust.”    

The award-winning program helps about 100 women each year.  Of women who stay 30 days or longer, 80% go on to secure stable housing and get a job and/or return to school.

Sheila was honored as part of the Women of Excellence Awards Dinner and Gala on November 18, 2011, at the Cincinnati Marriott North at Union Centre. 

Sheila is a testament that we really can change our lives.

Visit Pure Concept Salon & Spa at either location during the month of November (that’s 30 days worth of pampering!) and Off the Streets^SM will receive 10% of your service if you mention us or take this flyer.  Please call today to make an appointment!

Pure Concept Salon and Spa
8740 Montgomery Road, 45236
794-0202
5625 Deerfield Blvd., 45040
770-2120

Visit It’s All About Hair on Saturday, November 5th, from noon-4 p.m. and Off the Streets^SM will receive 25% of your service.  You can get a haircut, manicure and pedicure, facial massage, make-up consultation, and natural haircare services for ethnic women, including braids, locks, twist, and sister-locks.

It’s All About Hair
2811 Woodburn Ave., 45206
751-5566

Visit Extravagant Hair & Nail Gallery on Saturday, November 5th, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and we will receive a portion of the proceeds.  You may get a haircut, manicure and/or pedicure (sculpture nails, art work), braids, hair extensions, eyebrow waxing, or facials.

Extravagant Hair & Nail Gallery
2537 Gilbert Ave., 45206
559-0022

Make an appointment to go to Garage Massage Therapy and Body Work on Saturday, November 5th, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.  We will receive 50% of the cost of the service.  They have chair massage, swedish massage, cranio sacral, energy balance, sports massage/deep tissue, trigger point, and neuromuscular therapy.  There is a link to their schedule online; please note if you are a Salons with a Heart customer.

Garage Massage Therapy and Body Work
7809 Laurel Ave., Suite 3
Cincinnati, OH 45243
513-235-0566

Visit Moonstone Salon on Sunday, November 6th, from 12-4 p.m. and we will receive 100% of what you spend!  They have spa, hair and nail services.  Please visit http://moonstonesalon.com for more information.

Moonstone Salon
Anderson Towne Center
7466 Beechmont Ave., Suite 414
Cincinnati, OH 45255
513-231-4300

The Enquirer published a story about the Off the Streets^SM graduation in September.  You may read a copy here to see who you will be helping by visiting one of the Salons with a Heart.  Thank you for your support!

Making changes in our lives is not easy.  Yet seven women courageously embarked on this journey, and their graduation from Off the Streets^SM was a celebration of their hard work.  Over the months, the women have conquered addictions, set goals, and learned to love themselves again.   

To start the ceremony, members of MUSE, the women’s choir, sang as the graduates entered.  Once they were seated, the new graduates listened as a former graduate spoke about being sober for over three years, and how she continues to take care of herself each day. 

Then Vice-Mayor Roxanne Qualls addressed the graduates, congratulating them on their achievements and reminding them that everyone in the room admired them for the changes they had made in their lives. 

Very true!  The audience was very supportive as each graduate got up to talk about how Off the Streets^SM changed their lives and to thank people who supported them through the program.

Read the article in the Enquirer about the graduation here.

CUB president & CEO Steve MacConnell, a Second Act honoree, and board member Jen Young, a 40 Under 40 honoree, were in the spotlight at the Business Courier’s award luncheon today.

Steve MacConnell enjoyed a successful career as a lawyer before turning to nonprofit leadership.  In his ten years at Cincinnati Union Bethel, he has focused the agency and helped it achieve excellence.

Jen Young, Mercy’s new Director of Corporate Communications, is also a business owner.  With Chaos Contained LLC, she helps clients de-clutter and organize their lives.  On CUB’s Board of Directors, she chairs the Development Committee, serves on other committees, and engages other board members.

Steve and Jen were the perfect candidates to be recognized for their success and community service.

Here is the profile of Steve from the Business Courier from the Second Act insert.  The Courier then ran a longer piece about him that is a Q&A.