2005 News Releases
October 28, 2005 - SELF’s 2006 APPLICATION AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW
HAMILTON -- The year 2006 Community Services Block Grant application for Supports to Encourage Low-income Families (SELF), Butler County’s community action agency, is now available for community review.
The application, which will be submitted to the Ohio Department of Development, may be reviewed by appointment during normal business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at SELF’s headquarters at 1790 A & B South Erie Highway, Hamilton.
So far in 2005, SELF has served more than 7,400 individuals with services to promote self-sufficiency through offices in Hamilton, Middletown, Oxford and West Chester.
SELF’s eligibility guidelines for most services go up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, the maximum annual income for most services would be $29,025.
Based on SELF’s needs assessment, the year 2006 program emphasis will remain on employment, education, and emergency services to achieve self-sufficiency. Efforts described in the application include case management and supportive services for SELF’s key program areas: Empower One, Project 2 Empower, homeless services and emergency services.
SELF is a non-profit organization that helps low-income families obtain employment, maintain employment and build assets. SELF’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for county residents by impacting the causes of poverty and empowering individuals to achieve, sustain and advocate self-sufficiency.
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October 3, 2005 - GRANTS SUPPORT CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
BUTLER COUNTY – Supports to Encourage Low-income Families (SELF) has received $12,000 in grants from two foundations: a $7,000 renewal grant from the Liz Claiborne Foundation in New York and a $5,000 grant from The National Speaking of Women’s Health Foundation, headquartered in Cincinnati. The funds are being used for Project 2 Empower, a case management program focused on improving the well-being of low-income families.
Specifically, the grants are used to provide case management to mostly “working poor” families with low wage jobs who struggle to find ways to meet daily living expenses. SELF provides these families with a targeted support system designed to help them to overcome barriers to increased income, higher education levels, and more stable living situations.
Project 2 Empower began in West Chester and Liberty Townships in January of 2004 with support from the Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty, the Liz Claiborne Foundation, and the Butler County United Way’s Lakota Success project. The program was expanded in 2005 to serve residents of Hamilton, Fairfield, Middletown, and other areas of the county. The West Chester/Liberty component served 29 families in 2004;
ninety percent of 2004 participants in Project 2 Empower were women, many of them single parents.
“This program is helping low-income women and their families make tangible changes in their lives,” says Judy Scherrer, president of SELF’s Board of Directors. “Without the support of these generous foundations, many of the families we are serving would not have access to Project 2 Empower.”
SELF is accepting donations to further its mission to empower low-income individuals to achieve, sustain and advocate self-sufficiency. For more information on SELF or how you can support its community efforts, please call the agency at 513-868-9300.
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September 30, 2005 - SELF’s MAIN OFFICE LOCATION CHANGED
BUTLER COUNTY – Supports to Encourage Low-income Families (SELF) has moved its main office from 222 High Street in Hamilton to 1790 A & B South Erie Highway (Route 4), Hamilton, 45011. The new office is located in the Hamilton Crossings shopping center between the Kmart and the Sears Portrait Studio. Earlier this year, SELF’s Middletown office moved from the Middletown Social Services and Health Center to 1723 South University Boulevard.
SELF’s telephone number has not changed. Mail and donations directed to the nonprofit agency should still be sent to its post office box address at P.O. Box 1322, Hamilton, Ohio 45012. An Open House to celebrate the opening of the new location will be held at a later date.
SELF helps low-income individuals and families obtain employment, maintain employment and build assets to achieve self-sufficiency. SELF provided services to more than 12,000 Butler County residents in 2004.
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SELF HELPS MIDDLETOWN RESIDENTS ACCESS DISCOUNT TELEPHONE SERVICE
August 4, 2005
MIDDLETOWN - Supports to Encourage Low-income Families (SELF) is currently offering assistance for households needing to enroll in a discount program for SBC local telephone service. During the months of August and September, a SELF representative will be at the Butler County Department of Job and Family Services office at 1021 Central Avenue, Middletown, on Wednesday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and Friday afternoons from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. to answer questions and to enroll customers. Enrollment assistance is also available on other days and at other times by appointment.
Eligible customers will receive a $12.39 monthly credit and other benefits on local phone service. To qualify, residents must be participating in a designated program (Home Energy Assistance Program, Public Housing/Section 8, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), National Free School Lunch program, etc.) or have income at or below $29,025 for a family of four. If possible, applicants are encouraged to bring a copy of a recent telephone bill when they meet with the SELF representative.
Proof of income is required if the applicant is NOT already participating in a qualifying program. Current and new telephone customers in the SBC service area (northern Butler and Warren Counties and southern Montgomery County) are encouraged to call SELF at 513-868-9300 or 1-888-432-7022 for more information.
SELF is a nonprofit organization and the state-designated community action agency for Butler County. SELF helps low-income individuals and families obtain employment, maintain employment and build assets to achieve self-sufficiency. SELF provided services to more than 12,000 Butler County residents in 2004.
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SELF RECEIVES $12,000 IN GRANTS FOR CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
July 25, 2005
BUTLER COUNTY - Supports to Encourage Low-income Families (SELF) has received $12,000 in grants from two foundations: $7,000 from the Liz Claiborne Foundation in New York and $5,000 from The National Speaking of Women's Health Foundation, headquartered in Cincinnati. The funds will be used for Project 2 Empower, a case management program focused on improving the well-being of low-income families.
Specifically, the grants will be used to provide case management to mostly "working poor" families with low wage jobs who struggle to find ways to meet daily living expenses. SELF will provide these families with a targeted support system designed to help them to overcome barriers to increased income, higher education levels, and more stable living situations.
Project 2 Empower began in West Chester and Liberty Townships in January of 2004 and was expanded in 2005 to serve residents of Hamilton, Fairfield, Middletown, and other areas of the county. The West Chester/Liberty component served 29 families in 2004; ninety percent of 2004 participants in Project 2 Empower were women, many of them single parents.
"This program is helping low-income women and their families make tangible changes in their lives," says Judy Scherrer, president of SELF's Board of Directors. "Without the support of these generous foundations, many of the families we will serve this year would not have access to Project 2 Empower."
SELF is accepting donations to further its mission to empower low-income individuals to achieve, sustain and advocate self-sufficiency. For more information on SELF or how you can support its community efforts, please call the agency at 513-868-9300.
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SUMMER COOLING ASSISTANCE STILL AVAILABLE IN MIDDLETOWN
June 23, 2005
MIDDLETOWN - Supports to Encourage Low-income Families (SELF) continues to offer eligible low-income Middletown families summer cooling assistance through August 31. Appointments are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
This year SELF is working with local Lowe's Home Improvement stores to allow customers convenient pick-up of the air conditioning units from either the Middletown or Hamilton stores. Lowe's will also provide a basic window installation for air conditioners free of charge for up to 25 individuals with critical needs and no one to assist them.
Since the program began June 1, 125 Butler County residents have had health or pending disconnection crises alleviated through the summer cooling program. Lowe's stores have distributed 54 air conditioners so far.
To qualify for an air conditioner, an individual must be age 60 or older or have a respiratory disease or breathing problem verified by a medical certificate. Individuals must not have received an air conditioner from SELF within the last three years, and they must have a household income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Individuals qualifying for an air conditioner may also qualify for help on an electric bill up to $175 without a notice of electric disconnection.
Individuals having a breathing condition but not receiving an air conditioner may qualify for help on an electric bill up to $175 if that individual qualifies by income and has received a notice of electric disconnection. Individuals age 60 and over whose incomes qualify do not need a disconnection notice. Residents of any licensed medical facility, publicly operated community residences, boarding/rooming houses, group homes or emergency shelters are not eligible.
Middletown residents should call 1-888-432-7022 for an appointment.
SELF helps low-income individuals and families obtain employment, maintain employment and build assets to achieve self-sufficiency. SELF provided services to more than 12,000 Butler County residents in 2004.
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MAJOR SCHOOL SUPPLY PROGRAM TO REACH THOUSANDS; COMMUNITY SUPPORT SOUGHT TO HELP MORE CHILDREN
June 6, 2005
BUTLER COUNTY - Thousands of Butler County children participating in school free and reduced lunch programs will benefit from a coalition of six organizations working with the schools to get school supplies into the hands of low-income families.
Called the Butler County School Supply Coalition, the group is comprised of the Board of Butler County Commissioners, the Butler County Department of Job and Family Services, the Princeton Pike Church of God, Supports to Encourage Low-income Families (SELF), Outreach for Community in New Miami, and The Family Resource Center in Oxford. The Coalition is sponsoring the drive to prepare and distribute school supply kits to children of low-income families.
A grant from the Butler County Commissioners and the Butler County Department of Job and Family Services will provide at least 2,000 children on free and reduced lunch programs in grades K-12 with their needed school supply kits, which will be distributed this fall through the nine participating school districts in Butler County. Donations are also being sought to help thousands with school supplies.
According to fall 2004 data from the Ohio Department of Education, more than 13,000 children in Butler County schools are on free and reduced lunch programs due to low family income. Through unprecedented coordination with other school supply efforts and financial donations for additional school supply kits, the Coalition hopes to reach thousands more than the initial grant will cover.
"School districts are currently collecting information on how many children need these school supply kits in each school building and how many children may get school supplies from other sources," said Jerome Kearns, assistant director, Butler County Department of Job and Family Services. "Therefore, our efforts will avoid duplication by targeting those children with needs that are not being met by other efforts."
The Coalition has negotiated a price of about $5.00 per child for a full school supply kit. Donations from residents and community groups are being sought to help additional children.
"One hundred percent of what is collected will be used to purchase school supply kits to help more children," said Angie Akers of the Princeton Pike Church of God. "For as little as $5, a citizen can help ensure that a child starts school this fall ready to learn. All school children, regardless of family income, deserve to be well prepared for school."
Donations may be mailed or dropped off to: BCSCC c/o SELF, 222 High Street, Suite 400, Hamilton, Ohio 45011; or BCSCC c/o Princeton Pike Church of God, 6101 Princeton-Glendale Road, Liberty Township, Ohio 45011.
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SELF TO HOLD YARD SALE ON SATURDAY, JUNE 4
June 1, 2005
HAMILTON - Supports to Encourage Low-income Families (SELF) will hold a yard sale at 1841 NW Washington Boulevard, Hamilton, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 4. All proceeds will benefit the non-profit organization in its mission to help low-income Butler County residents achieve and maintain self-sufficiency.
Hundreds of items will be available for sale, including men's and women's apparel, furniture, dishes and household items, decorations, books, and more.
If you would like to donate items for sale, contact SELF at (513) 868-9300 for more information.
SELF helps low-income individuals and families obtain employment, maintain employment and build assets to achieve self-sufficiency. SELF touched the lives of more than 12,000 Butler County residents in 2004.
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SELF RECEIVES $20,000 GRANT TO FUND CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
February 28, 2005
BUTLER COUNTY - Supports to Encourage Low-income Families (SELF), Butler County's community action agency, has received a $20,000 grant from The Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) to fund its case management program called Project 2 Empower.
SELF is a nonprofit organization serving all of Butler County Ohio. SELF helped more than 12,000 low-income individuals and families with one or more of its services in 2004.
The Greater Cincinnati Foundation grant will be used to provide case management to low-income families, particularly those who are employed but who are often referred to as the "working poor" because their income does not cover their basic living expenses. SELF will provide these families with an intensive and targeted support system designed to help them to overcome barriers to increased income, higher education levels, and more stable living situations. Project 2 Empower has been operating on a limited basis in West Chester and
Liberty Townships since January of 2004, but the program will now be open to residents of Hamilton, Fairfield, Middletown, and other areas of the county as well. The West Chester/Liberty component served 29 families in 2004.
"The model for Project 2 Empower in West Chester and Liberty Townships has proven to be a successful one," says Judy Scherrer, president of SELF's Board of Directors. "The support from the Greater Cincinnati Foundation will allow SELF to expand these important services to more areas of the county where great need exists."
The purpose of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation is to empower donors to make a profound difference in the quality of human and community life in the Greater Cincinnati region, today and tomorrow. GCF believes in the power of philanthropy to change the lives of people and communities. As a community foundation, GCF makes grants and provides leadership in six key areas: arts and culture, community progress, education, the environment, health, and human services. An effective steward of the community's charitable resources since 1963, the Foundation inspires philanthropy in eight counties in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.
SELF is accepting donations to further its mission to empower low-income individuals to achieve, sustain and advocate self-sufficiency. For more information on SELF or how you can support its community efforts, please call the agency at 513-868-9300.
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SELF NAMES JANET CLEMMONS/SELF AWARD WINNER
February 9, 2005
BUTLER COUNTY - Supports to Encourage Low-income Families (SELF), Butler County's community action agency, announced the winner of the Janet Clemmons/SELF Community Service Award at its 2005 Annual Awards Dinner on February 4, 2005 at Rick's Banquet Center. Officers for SELF's 2005 Board of Directors were also named at the event.
The Janet Clemmons/SELF Community Service Award recipient was Thomas Fritsch of Hamilton. The award, named in honor of the late Butler County Commissioner who founded SELF, was established in January 1997 to honor the Butler County individual who best demonstrates outstanding volunteer or community service efforts that empower and assist low-income individuals. Mr. Fritsch received the award for his work to aid low-income oncology patients. After his wife Maureen lost a battle with cancer in 2002, Mr. Fritsch raised money and established a fund with the Hamilton Community Foundation. The fund provides access to medications and home health care for cancer patients with predetermined need who live in the Hamilton/Fairfield area and who would otherwise be unable to afford them.
Three other Janet Clemmons/SELF Community Service nominees recognized were: Mildred "Mickey" Evans of Hamilton Living Water Ministry; Mary Porteous of Butler County Head Start; and Ervin Marchant, a transportation and Disaster Response Team volunteer for the Butler County chapter of the American Red Cross.
Named as officers to SELF's Board of Directors for 2005 were: President, Judy Scherrer, Edgewood City Schools; Vice President, Laura Williams, City of Middletown; Treasurer, Lawrence Mulligan, Jr., First Financial Bancorp; and Secretary, Mike Johnson, Oxford Talawanda Community Services.
SELF is a nonprofit organization and the state-designated community action agency for Butler County. SELF helped more than 12,000 low-income individuals and families obtain employment, maintain employment and build assets to achieve self-sufficiency in 2004.
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