Welcome House of Northern Kentucky Prevention Services assists households at imminent risk of becoming homeless, serving eight counties, including Boone, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Owen and Pendleton. Services include financial assistance and follow-up services to assist households with maintaining their housing. If you have a client staying with friends or relatives that cannot continue to stay there; are paying for their own hotel/motel without financial assistance from a social service agency, or are finding themselves in financial hardship with rent or utilities — help is available. There is currently a waiting list for this program, but openings are available as people move to self sufficiency, so call to be put on the list! Visit Welcome House during business hours at 205 W Pike Street Covington, Kentucky 41011 or call 859-431-8717 for an assessment. Hours: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 9-noon and 2-4, Wednesdays 2-4 and Fridays 9-noon.  Program information is here.  

OneSource Center for Nonprofit Excellence is coordinating a region-wide FREE toy distribution for children during the months of May, June and July – collaborating with nonprofits and corporate sponsors to share some joy with area youth.  Please spread the word to your friends, the community and nonprofit clients!  The event titled “Unplug and Play” is nationally sponsored by Toys for Tots and Good360. 

Information on multiple distribution dates (June and July) and locations is available at the OneSource Center website:  OneSourceCenter.org/Toys  The event is open to ALL children.  A flyer that can be distributed to community members and nonprofit clientele is available on the website. 

OneSource Center for Nonprofit Excellence, a regional redistribution partner for Good360, coordinated the shipments of 16,000 toys to regional nonprofits who will distribute them.  CEO Christie Brown said, “The last year has been especially challenging to children nation-wide.  It is an honor to partner with Toys for Tots, Good360 and regional partners to get toys into the hands of kids and encourage them to step away from technology and have some good old-fashioned play time with toys.  The joy on the children’s faces when they receive the toys is incredible!”  

Nonprofit partners, foundations and regional sponsors for the distribution events are: Activities Beyond the Classroom, BKD CPAs and Advisors, Brighter Days for Kids, Brighton Center, Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio, Ethicon HOLA, FC Cincinnati Foundation, Good360, Messer, Inter Parish Ministry, OneSource Center, 2021 Avondale Community Makeover (sponsored by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, P&G, the Cincinnati Reds/Reds Community Fund and the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden), Toys for Tots and the Wegman Company.

Photos from some of the incredible toy distribution events
What joy it has been to see the happy smiles of children receiving toys so they can Unplug and Play!   Thanks to all the partners and volunteers who have made these events possible! 

Kids just need to have fun!
Community organizations and nonprofits are partnering to offer this free opportunity
for kids in our region to step away from technology and share in the joy of playing.  
Thousands of toys to give away! Toys will be distributed so each child shares in the fun. 

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Region-wide toy distributions (Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky)

June 3, 4 – 6 p.m.
Brighton Center, 799 Ann Street, Newport, KY, 41017

June 4, 5 – 8 p.m.
MidPoint Office Tower, 7162 Reading Road, 45237 Hosted by Catholic Charities of SW Ohio

June 5, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Elder High School parking lot; 3900 Vincent Ave., 45205 Hosted by Brighter Day for Kids Fund

June 15, 3:30 – 6 p.m.
TQL Stadium, 1501 Central Parkway, 45214 Hosted by FC Cincinnati Foundation and Activities Beyond the Classroom

June 30, 12 – 2 p.m.
Mt. Carmel Christian Church, 4110 Bach Buxton Road, Batavia, 45103 Hosted by Inter Parish Ministry

July 29, 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.
South Avondale Elementary, 636 Prospect Pl, Cincinnati, OH 45229
Hosted by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, the Reds Community Fund and the partners of the 2021 Avondale Community Makeover

Details:

All welcome! First-come; first-served.
Toys are appropriate for children age 10 and under.
Events held “rain or shine”!
Follow event signage for logistics and social distancing guidelines.

Overall event flyer
July 29 Avondale event flyer
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Visit WWW.ONESOURCECENTER.ORG/TOYS  for more information.    

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Nonprofit Partners and Program Sponsors:  

Women have made great strides in the workforce over the past 50 years but are still underrepresented in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). In response, the Civic Garden Center created “Green Girls in STEM” – an immersive year-long, hands-on program for young women in high school to explore STEM careers, sustainability, and leadership development. Green Girls in STEM provides experiences that leave students feeling more connected to nature, their communities, and the wider world. Applicants should be creative thinkers and willing to work collaboratively with others. No experience is necessary, just an interest in STEM, the environment, and leadership development. The program is FREE, and applications are due May 24. A brochure is available here. More info on the Civic Garden’s website.