HISTORY OF SELF

Supports to Encourage Low-income Families, Inc. (SELF) is a private  non-profit, 501(c)(3) and the state-designated community action agency for Butler County, Ohio. SELF is also a Community Development Corporation (CDC).

SELF was established in 1995 with key leadership from the late Janet Clemmons, Butler County Commissioner, and was designated by the Ohio Department of Development on April 1, 1996. Mrs. Clemmons' vision was to create a community action agency that would serve all of Butler County and would be accountable both programmatically and fiscally. The agency began client services before the federal welfare reform changes and before other nonprofits began emphasizing self-sufficiency.

SELF is funded from a mixture of individual and corporate donations; the Butler County United Way; city, county, state and federal government grants and contracts; and grants from private foundations and corporations.

In fulfilling its mission, SELF strives to perform the following roles at the highest standards of excellence:

• To be an advocate for the needs of the community and the development of individual potential.
• To be a facilitator in linking individual needs to the full network of services available.
• To be a provider of quality services.
• To be a trusted and respected partner with individuals and organizations in addressing the needs of the community.

Clients have called SELF "a bridge" to self-sufficiency and "an anchor in a storm." SELF strives to uphold the original mission of community action as established in President Lyndon Johnson's "War on Poverty" in the mid-60s - "a hand-up not a hand-out." SELF emphasizes employment and education and works to lessen the barriers for low-income families to obtain and maintain self-sufficiency.

The Janet Clemmons/SELF Community Service Award

In honor of its founder, SELF established the Janet Clemmons/SELF Community Service Award in 1997. It is the highest honor SELF provides to outstanding advocates for low-income individuals.



SELF's 2010 Janet Clemmons Community Service Award nominees (from left to right): Candice Keller, Bill Fugate, Darlene Deck, Executive Director Jeffrey Diver, Aileen Geigle, Jodie Schrenker, Mayor of Hamilton Pat Moeller, Cathy Howell and Mayor or Fairfield Ron D'Epifanio. Not pictured is Barbara Condo.

SELF's Janet Clemmons Community Service Award: Past Recipients

• 2011: Christine Birhanzl of Trenton and the American Red Cross, Butler County Office
• 2010: Bill Fugate, SHALOM in Middletown
• 2009: Bill Teets, Lebanon
• 2008: Joel Fink, Butler County United Way, Hamilton
• 2007: Jeanene Cotton, Hamilton
• 2006: Roy & Pat Ickes, SHALOM, Middletown
• 2005: Thomas Fritsch, The Maureen L. Fritsch Cancer Assistance Fund
• 2004: Carla and Robby Rice, Fairfield
• 2003: Roscoe Riddell, Living Word Church's Food Pantry
• 2002: Linda Kimble, Serve City, Hamilton
• 2001: Bobbie Chapman, Open Door Food Pantry, Hamilton
• 2000: Robert "Sonny" Hill, Middletown City Council
• 1999: Iris Abbott, Job Club Coach, Butler County Joint Vocational School
• 1998: Nancy Caudill, Hope House, Middletown
• 1997: Janet Clemmons, Butler County Commissioner

For SELF's full Guidestar Report, please visit: Supports to Encourage Low-income Families