45TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
WE ARE FAMILY
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Cincinnati
45TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
WE ARE FAMILY
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Cincinnati
2024 Honorees
City of Cincinnati
Fifth Third Bank
HomeBase Cincinnati
Integra Group
LISC Greater Cincinnati
Messer Construction Co.
Neyer Properties
Norton Outdoor Advertising
PNC
Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati
Taft Law
Union Savings Bank and Guardian Savings Bank
United Way of Greater Cincinnati
U.S. Bank
Thank you to our 2024 sponsors!
Interested in sponsoring? View the sponsor benefits.
If you would like additional information on sponsorships, please contact Molly Lohr at (513) 541-4109 ext. 128 or email mlohr@wincincy.org
Frequently Asked Questions
Working In Neighborhoods is a charitable organization that empowers people to make informed choices for themselves and their neighborhoods through community building, homeownership programs, and economic learning.
4:30 PM: registration, heavy hor d’oeuvres, silent auction and raffle. 5:30 PM: program and live auction.
Attire is business casual, but we’re encouraging guests to dress in sapphire or 70’s disco attire to reflect WIN’s 45th Anniversary.
Nearby parking garages include 84.51 Garage and 217 W 5th St Garage. Or you can pay for valet parking at the Hyatt.
The Hyatt Regency is an accessible facility.
$20 of your $100 ticket price is tax deductible.
Bidding on the silent auction begins October 30th. You do not have to be present at the Anniversary Celebration to win silent auction items. The live auction is only available at the Celebration, and you must be present to win. If you win a silent auction prize, and need to pick it up, call Molly at 513-541-4109 ext. 128 to make arrangements.
No refunds are available. If you can no longer make it, you may gift your ticket to another person.
WIN Highlights
Click to read the story behind the photo.
Energy
In the winter of 1978, Cincinnati area residents experienced rapid increases in the cost of gas and electric bills, plus one of the coldest winters on record. Low-income customers of Cincinnati Gas & Electric Company (CG&E) were unable to keep up with utility payments and when they fell behind, their utilities got shut off. During the winter of 1978, three utility consumers died due to lack of heat after their utilities were shut off.
Working In Neighborhoods began researching the issue, and found that the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) had to approve CG&E’s rates and policies. However, they only met in Columbus at times that were inconvenient to consumers.
WIN brought together low- and middle-income consumers who learned that while they were affected by utilities in different ways, they had some of the same concerns. Both groups felt that they had very little say about the process, that the company was uncaring and inconsiderate, and that no one, including the Public Utilities Commission, cared.
After consumers formed the Citywide Coalition for Utility Reform, they had their first victory, an agreement from the PUCO to hold all hearings regarding the fuel adjustment clause in Cincinnati. Through petitions, public meetings with utility and public officials, and media attention, this group made significant changes, including banning winter shut-offs, revising payment policies, ensuring heat and electricity for consumers with disabilities, reforming the selection process of the PUCO, implementing a Percentage of Income Payment Plan, and securing funding for weatherization.
WIN provided a key role in helping consumers deal with rising utility bills and insensitive policies of the utility company. Since the early 1980s, WIN has provided energy education to individuals, nonprofits, and churches. In the mid-1980s, WIN developed a neighborhood blitz going door-to-door to install weatherization kits and provide energy education. WIN was the leading seller of compact fluorescent bulbs when they were still an unknown commodity. All WIN rehab or new construction homes include energy-efficient measures that greatly reduce the cost of heating these homes.
WIN’s efforts and leadership as an advocate for low- and moderate-income consumers gave them access to the decision making process. Access to energy conservation measures has made utility bills more affordable and accessible for consumers in Southwest Ohio.
Energy
Elmore Park
In March 1987, WIN announced the development of 10 new construction and 2 rehabbed single family homes at Elmore Park. The groundbreaking celebration was held one year later and construction began in September of 1988.
The first home was completed in May of 1989 and sold to Norris and Ella Haynes for $50,000 (equal to $127,280.50 in 2024 dollars). All 12 homes were sold by the end of 1990 to low-to-moderate-income first-time homeowners. These families prepared for homeownership by participating in WIN’s Homebuyers Club where they learned about mortgages, home maintenance, insurance, and more.
WIN continues to train families to purchase their first home by offering homebuyer training classes and free individual housing counseling. In 2023, over 750 families received financial literacy and homeownership education.
Elmore Park
Youth Enrichment Program
Working In Neighborhoods’ Youth Enrichment Program currently includes Summer Camp and three Holiday Celebrations. WIN’s eight-week summer camp is open for youth ages 5 – 12 living in and around the Beekman Corridor. Programming includes educational opportunities to reduce summer learning loss, entertaining guests, field trips, time to play, and a backpack giveaway.
WIN’s hosts holiday celebrations for Christmas, Easter, and Halloween. At Santa’s Workshop, kids get to choose their own gifts, play games, receive snacks and treats, and have the chance to meet Santa Claus. At Easter and Halloween, kids play games, make crafts, and collect candy.
Originally called Future Leaders In Progress (FLIP), the Youth Enrichment Program was founded by South Cumminsville Community Leader Marilyn Evans as a way of helping youth increase their self-esteem and develop leadership skills they could take into adulthood. In a 2011 interview, Ms. Evans said, “I always believed in children; they are our hope for the future.”
Youth Enrichment Program
Margaret Thatcher
On Friday, March 31, 2000, Margaret Thatcher met with about 50 middle and high school students at Working In Neighborhoods community center on Llewellyn Avenue in South Cumminsville (formerly St. Pius School, now St. Pius Place Senior Apartments). This visit was made possible by Fifth Third Bank and the John M. Ashbrook Center for Public Affairs at Ashland University.
No subject was taboo, with the former prime minister answering questions about violence in Northern Ireland, bringing peace to Israel and the Palestinians, gun legislation, and school violence.
Thatcher spread a message of hope, encouraging students to follow their dreams. “If you have a passion for something… just follow that passion, work very hard and don’t give up,” said Thatcher. “You will find the marvelous people here willing to help. You will find someone willing to help.”
Margaret Thatcher
Leadership Training
At the heart of WIN’s mission is community organizing – forming, strengthening, and assisting community groups to refine their goals, improve the responsiveness of city and business leaders to their problems, and implement solutions.
WIN identifies neighborhood leaders and provides them with the tools they need to work with others in their community to solve problems and improve the general quality of life. WIN trains neighborhood residents in areas where they want to be trained, such as improving the safety of their streets, and assisting them in preparing for and locating employment opportunities.
Over the years, WIN has offered leadership training to organizations in 16 low- and moderate-income neighborhoods from West McMicken to Mt. Healthy.
Leadership Development
WIN Highlights
Click to read the story behind the photo.
Energy
In the winter of 1978, Cincinnati area residents experienced rapid increases in the cost of gas and electric bills, plus one of the coldest winters on record. Low-income customers of Cincinnati Gas & Electric Company (CG&E) were unable to keep up with utility payments and when they fell behind, their utilities got shut off. During the winter of 1978, three utility consumers died due to lack of heat after their utilities were shut off.
Working In Neighborhoods began researching the issue, and found that the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) had to approve CG&E’s rates and policies. However, they only met in Columbus at times that were inconvenient to consumers.
WIN brought together low- and middle-income consumers who learned that while they were affected by utilities in different ways, they had some of the same concerns. Both groups felt that they had very little say about the process, that the company was uncaring and inconsiderate, and that no one, including the Public Utilities Commission, cared.
After consumers formed the Citywide Coalition for Utility Reform, they had their first victory, an agreement from the PUCO to hold all hearings regarding the fuel adjustment clause in Cincinnati. Through petitions, public meetings with utility and public officials, and media attention, this group made significant changes, including banning winter shut-offs, revising payment policies, ensuring heat and electricity for consumers with disabilities, reforming the selection process of the PUCO, implementing a Percentage of Income Payment Plan, and securing funding for weatherization.
WIN provided a key role in helping consumers deal with rising utility bills and insensitive policies of the utility company. Since the early 1980s, WIN has provided energy education to individuals, nonprofits, and churches. In the mid-1980s, WIN developed a neighborhood blitz going door-to-door to install weatherization kits and provide energy education. WIN was the leading seller of compact fluorescent bulbs when they were still an unknown commodity. All WIN rehab or new construction homes include energy-efficient measures that greatly reduce the cost of heating these homes.
WIN’s efforts and leadership as an advocate for low- and moderate-income consumers gave them access to the decision making process. Access to energy conservation measures has made utility bills more affordable and accessible for consumers in Southwest Ohio.
Energy
Elmore Park
In March 1987, WIN announced the development of 10 new construction and 2 rehabbed single family homes at Elmore Park. The groundbreaking celebration was held one year later and construction began in September of 1988.
The first home was completed in May of 1989 and sold to Norris and Ella Haynes for $50,000 (equal to $127,280.50 in 2024 dollars). All 12 homes were sold by the end of 1990 to low-to-moderate-income first-time homeowners. These families prepared for homeownership by participating in WIN’s Homebuyers Club where they learned about mortgages, home maintenance, insurance, and more.
WIN continues to train families to purchase their first home by offering homebuyer training classes and free individual housing counseling. In 2023, over 750 families received financial literacy and homeownership education.
Elmore Park
Youth Enrichment Program
Working In Neighborhoods’ Youth Enrichment Program currently includes Summer Camp and three Holiday Celebrations. WIN’s eight-week summer camp is open for youth ages 5 – 12 living in and around the Beekman Corridor. Programming includes educational opportunities to reduce summer learning loss, entertaining guests, field trips, time to play, and a backpack giveaway.
WIN’s hosts holiday celebrations for Christmas, Easter, and Halloween. At Santa’s Workshop, kids get to choose their own gifts, play games, receive snacks and treats, and have the chance to meet Santa Claus. At Easter and Halloween, kids play games, make crafts, and collect candy.
Originally called Future Leaders In Progress (FLIP), the Youth Enrichment Program was founded by South Cumminsville Community Leader Marilyn Evans as a way of helping youth increase their self-esteem and develop leadership skills they could take into adulthood. In a 2011 interview, Ms. Evans said, “I always believed in children; they are our hope for the future.”
Youth Enrichment
Margaret Thatcher
On Friday, March 31, 2000, Margaret Thatcher met with about 50 middle and high school students at Working In Neighborhoods community center on Llewellyn Avenue in South Cumminsville (formerly St. Pius School, now St. Pius Place Senior Apartments). This visit was made possible by Fifth Third Bank and the John M. Ashbrook Center for Public Affairs at Ashland University.
No subject was taboo, with the former prime minister answering questions about violence in Northern Ireland, bringing peace to Israel and the Palestinians, gun legislation, and school violence.
Thatcher spread a message of hope, encouraging students to follow their dreams. “If you have a passion for something… just follow that passion, work very hard and don’t give up,” said Thatcher. “You will find the marvelous people here willing to help. You will find someone willing to help.”
Margaret Thatcher
Leadership Training
At the heart of WIN’s mission is community organizing – forming, strengthening, and assisting community groups to refine their goals, improve the responsiveness of city and business leaders to their problems, and implement solutions.
WIN identifies neighborhood leaders and provides them with the tools they need to work with others in their community to solve problems and improve the general quality of life. WIN trains neighborhood residents in areas where they want to be trained, such as improving the safety of their streets, and assisting them in preparing for and locating employment opportunities.
Over the years, WIN has offered leadership training to organizations in 16 low- and moderate-income neighborhoods from West McMicken to Mt. Healthy.
Leadership Development
Can’t make it?
You can still support WIN from home!