Recent News Articles
Home Repair Project Returning to Hamilton This Summer
1/12/2012
SELF will cosponsor its third Group Workcamps event this July in Hamilton to provide free home repairs to low-income, elderly and disabled homeowners.
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Youths from across the country will converge on the City of Hamilton this summer to transform low-income neighborhoods by conducting free home repairs for low-income homeowners.
Supports to Encourage Low-income Families will cosponsor a Group Workcamps Home Repair experience July 15 through 21. Individuals and organizations are needed for this high-impact event.
Anyone interested in assisting with site selection, volunteer coordination, welcoming campers, hands-on home repair or other tasks should attend a kick off meeting at SELF’s Headquarters at 1790 S. Erie Hwy., Wednesday, Jan 18 at 2 p.m.
This will be the third Group Workcamps project co-sponsored by SELF. The event was first held in Hamilton in July 2010 and again in Middletown in July 2011. To date, more than 130 homes have been repaired. All work is free to the homeowners who lack both the physical and financial means to make the repairs themselves.
Nominations Now Open for Janet Clemmons Award
1/4/2012
SELF is now accepting nominations for the 2012 Janet Clemmons Community Service Award
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Clemmons Award Nominations Now Open
Supports to Encourage Low-Income Families is now accepting nominations for the 2012 Janet Clemmons Community Service Award.
The Award is given annually in honor of the late founder of SELF, which has served all of Butler County since 1995. As a Butler County Commissioner, Mrs. Clemmons understood the challenges faced by disadvantaged families and those who serve them. The award given in her memory honors community members who have, primarily through voluntary efforts, provided significant support and service to the low-income people of Butler County.
“Janet was an amazing lady who always went above and beyond,” said SELF’s Executive Director Jeffrey Diver. “This award honors people who remind us of Janet’s grace, courage and compassion.”
The 2012 Janet Clemmons Community Service Award will be presented at SELF’s Annual Awards Dinner, March 24, 2012. Nominations should include:
· Nominee’s full name, address, phone, email, organizational affiliation and title;
· Nominator’s full name, address, phone, email, organizational affiliation and title;
· A list of any and all committees, organizations or boards the nominee is supporting and how they are supporting them;
· Highlights of how the nominee goes above and beyond in helping low-income individuals and families in Butler County.
A nomination form and instructions are available by clicking here and at all SELF offices. Nominations should not exceed three pages and are due no later than February 3, 2012.
Completed nominations should be sent to Sharon Bengel, Community Relations Director, SELF, P.O. Box 1322, Hamilton, Ohio 45012 or snaragon@selfhelps.org.
All nominees will be honored at the March 24 event and the winner will be selected by a committee of community members including members of SELF’s Board of Trustees. For more information, contact Mrs. Bengel at 513-820-5009 or snaragon@selfhelps.org.
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Microenterprise Program Receives Grant Support
12/20/2011
SELF's newest program, Microenterprise, has received two grants this month just as it graduated its second class. Click "details" to read more.
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Microenterprise Program Receives Grant Support
Supports to Encourage Low-income Families (SELF) has received $55,000 to support its newest program in partnership with two other Butler County nonprofits.
The Butler County Microenterprise/Microloan Program is a partnership of SELF, BizTech Center and Neighborhood Housing Services. It provides an intensive education in launching and operating a business to qualified potential entrepreneurs. SELF has received a $40,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Development to operate the program in 2012. Additionally, the Hamilton Community Foundation has granted SELF $15,000 to establish a pool of loan funds for the program.
“We’re very excited for the low-income individuals who will benefit from these grants in helping them to accomplish their dreams of entrepreneurship,” said Jeffrey Diver, Executive Director of SELF.
Each partner contributed funds to launch the program in September and 15 people have completed the rigorous business education program which culminates in a comprehensive business plan. Once business plans are completed and approved by the instructor, the entrepreneur can apply for a loan.
SELF conducts intake and case management for the program. BizTech provides the business instruction and Neighborhood Housing Services will originate and service the loans.
For more information on this program, contact Rhonda Hamilton at 513-820-5022. For photos of recent graduates, please visit our Facebook page.
Middletown Veterinarian Adopts Low Income Families' Pets
12/10/2011
All About PetCare in Middletown has donated services and supplies for the pets of the low-income families in SELF's Adopt-A-Family holiday program.
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Middletown Veterinary Clinic
Adopts Pets for the Holidays
Hard working Butler County families have faced difficult choices regarding some members of their families. As they struggle to feed themselves, they often find caring for their family pets even more difficult.
Supports to Encourage Low-income Families works with clients who are striving toward self-sufficiency and actively working to move themselves out of poverty. SELF’s Adopt-a-Family program offers organizations and individuals the opportunity to create priceless holiday memories for the children and adults in these families.
For the first time, SELF is partnering with a local veterinarian to include family pets in the Adopt-A-Family program. All about PetCare, 3410 Tytus Avenue, Middletown, agreed to adopt 40 pets after reading about the program in the local newspaper.
“Pets are very much a part of the family,” SELF Executive Director Jeffrey Diver said. “In the past, many of our families have had to give up their pets during difficult economic times, adding greater hardship to the rest of the family, especially the children.”
“When we asked about the pets of the families that SELF helps, we were moved by their stories and decided to help them all,” said Matt Heller, DVM, owner of All about PetCare. “We think it’s great to help families that are trying to help themselves. And we hope the community will join us in supporting these families also.”
For this holiday season, All about PetCare is adopting 19 dogs, 16 cats, 1 rabbit, 2 parakeets, and 2 geckos. The pets’ owners will receive items ranging from certificates for spaying and neutering to pet food and toys. All of the owners are in one of SELF’s programs that help with employment, education and asset building and actively working toward self-sufficiency.
The clinic is also launching a pet food and supply drive for 2012 for all families enrolled in SELF’s self-sufficiency programs.
“We’re hopeful the community will drop off donations for the pets that can help these families well into the New Year,” Dr. Heller said.
Donations may be dropped off at All about PetCare from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturdays between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. For more information, please call SELF at 513-820-5017 or All about PetCare at 513-424-1626.
Pictured above: Six-year-old Suzie Spicer and her dog Shelby (a Jack Russell terrier and Chihuahua mix) are pictured receiving gift supplies from Veterinary Technician Brittany Warren and Dr. Laura Arington, DVM.
SELF Appreciates Donors, Volunteers
10/18/2011
SELF held its annual Donor and Volunteer Appreciation Reception in September. Two outstanding volunteers were honored with the "SELFless" Award.
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SELF honors volunteer contributions
Two retirees have made huge contributions to improving the lives of low-income residents in Butler County by volunteering for Supports to Encourage Low-Income Families.
Lou Hampton of Fairfield and Doug Hall of West Chester were recognized for their SELFless Contributions at the Community Action Agency’s annual Donor and Volunteer Appreciation Event at the end of September. (Click here for Photos)
“In just four months, these two gentlemen have racked up nearly 300 hours helping make repairs to homes of low-income and elderly residents in Hamilton and Middletown,” said SELF’s Executive Director Jeffrey Diver. “They’ve done everything from paint walls to pour concrete and they have made a very substantial difference in the community.”
The two men began working with SELF during the July 2011 Group Workcamps event in Middletown which brought 400 youths from across the country to the area to do home repairs.
“The campers were phenomenal,” Diver said. “There just is more need than they were able to meet in a week.”
Hampton and Hall have been the lead volunteers continuing the efforts begun by the campers. Housing Coordinator John Post has organized the efforts which, to date, have impacted 117 households in the county.
“This effort has just been tremendous and every time I think I’ve seen the most successful or impactful moment, another one comes along,” Post said.
Hampton is a proud veteran of the U.S. Army who served two tours in Vietnam. After more than a decade serving his country, he worked in the auto industry and security and is now retired. A native of Fairfield, he is a music and animal lover and one of his hobbies is starting projects around the house. He loves to work with his hands and also supports community theater throughout Butler County. He is also a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans and he says he has learned to take life one day at a time.
Hall is a native of Long Island and retired from IBM in Cincinnati. He currently lives in West Chester. In retirement, he has forged a second career as a tax preparer and volunteer. He has been a driver for the Red Cross who honored him as Volunteer of the Year. He is also a very proud grandfather.
The two men have committed to volunteering every Tuesday and Saturday for the rest of 2011.
More volunteers are needed to complete several projects before winter. If you would like to help, contact Post at 513-820-5024.
HEAP Scheduling Begins Oct. 18
10/3/2011
SELF successfully wrapped its Summer Crisis Program and is preparing to meet local residents' needs this winter. We will begin scheduling appointments October 18.
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Summer Crisis Program Closes but
Winter Is On the Way
Winter HEAP Scheduling Starts October 18
Supports to Encourage Low-income Families (SELF) has closed its 2011 Summer Crisis Program successfully and is gearing up for the winter months.
As part of the Summer Crisis Program, SELF helped 652 households pay their electric bills this summer thanks to federal funding. The program is for Butler County residents 60 and older or others with a documented medical need for air conditioning.
SELF continues to enroll clients in the PIPP Plus program until the Winter Crisis Program begins Nov. 1. Home Energy Assistance Program Coordinator Athena Maly said many customers have been successful on Ohio’s new Percentage of Income Payment Plan or PIPP Plus, which is available only to customers of regulated utility companies, such as Duke Energy. The City of Hamilton is a non-regulated municipal utility provider.
“People who have enrolled in PIPP Plus have been able to get their payments down to a manageable level,” Maly said. “They are able to be more self-sufficient.”
PIPP Plus offers Ohio residents an opportunity to earn credit toward arrearages by making regular, on-time payments. Customers pay 6 percent of their monthly income or $10 a month, whichever is greater, to both electric and gas utilities. Customers in all-electric homes pay 10 percent or $10 whichever is greater.
“For each on-time and full monthly payment, PIPP Plus customers see a credit on their bills for their current balances and a credit toward their accumulated arrearages,” Maly said. “PIPP Plus helps customers eliminate old utility debt and avoid new utility debt.”
To be eligible for PIPP Plus, customers must have a household income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty line and be a customer of a regulated gas or electric company.
SELF will begin scheduling appointments for winter HEAP on October 18. Appointments are strongly encouraged.
“We expect a lot of people will need assistance this year and that means we can’t guarantee walk-ins will be seen,” Maly said. “We really encourage people to call us as soon as they receive a disconnect notice.”
Winter HEAP typically runs from Nov. 1 through March 31.
Typically, customers must bring the following documents to their appointments:
· Current utility or bulk fuel bill, bulk fuel users must have 10 days’ supply or less and the bill must be in the household member’s name
· Disconnect notice
· Social Security Cards (or legal documentation) for all household members
· Proof of all household income for last 13 weeks or 12 months
· Picture I.D.
· And, if living in the City of Hamilton, an arrangement form and receipt that copayment was made.
For more information, call 513-868-9300 or 1-888-432-7000 toll free from Middletown beginning October 18.
SELF Partners with Quaker Chemical to Help Middletown Residents Get Ahead
9/23/2011
The Quaker Chemical Foundation has awarded a $2,500 grant in support of the Getting Ahead program operated by SELF on behalf of the Butler County Bridges Out of Poverty Coalition
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SELF Partners with Quaker Chemical
to Help Middletown Residents ‘Get Ahead’
Middletown residents will have unique opportunities to change their lives thanks to The Quaker Chemical Foundation’s support of the Getting Ahead program operated by Supports to Encourage Low-income Families (SELF) on behalf of the Butler County Bridges Out of Poverty Coalition
SELF received a $2,500 grant from The Quaker Chemical Foundation to cover costs for its Getting Ahead Program for Middletown residents. Getting Ahead is an 18-week program based on the work of renowned poverty advocate Ruby Payne. Payne’s “Bridges Out of Poverty” program focuses on the cultural differences and hidden rules that often keep people trapped in a cycle of poverty. Payne’s colleague, Philip DeVol, wrote the class text: “Getting Ahead in a Just Getting By World.”
“We focus on deliberate steps toward goals – daily, weekly and monthly goals,” said Program Facilitator Kimberly Benge. “We look at resources and how to maximize them and we look at obstacles and how to eliminate or minimize them.”
“Getting Ahead in a just Gettin' by World” is a curriculum that assists individuals living in poverty to evaluate their lives, develop, and sustain the life skills necessary to survive and flourish in society. The goal of Getting Ahead is for individuals in poverty to develop a series of mental models to examine their own pasts and create new futures.
The grant from The Quaker Chemical Foundation will help cover the costs of the class which include materials, free child care for participants, snacks and transportation for those who need it.
Quaker Chemical, headquartered in Conshohocken, Penn., has a state-of-the art manufacturing facility at 3431 Yankee Road in Middletown, where it produces a variety of specialty process chemicals for the metalworking, steel and aluminum industries.
“Quaker Chemical is a global leader in its industries, and as such we believe we have a responsibility to be a good corporate citizen in our local communities. We are pleased to be able to support SELF through our Foundation’s annual grant program,” said Jan Waldauer, communications and community relations manager for Quaker Chemical.
The Quaker Chemical Foundation grant will be used for Middletown residents only; however, other funding sources allow SELF to open the class to all of Butler County. The next Getting Ahead class begins Nov. 8 and there are openings. Contact Benge at 513-785-3690 for information.
Quaker Chemical has also supported SELF by volunteering with the Group Workcamps Program held in Middletown last July.
“Great corporate partners and funders like Quaker Chemical go a long way toward combating poverty in Butler County,” said SELF Executive Director Jeffrey Diver. “We are extremely grateful that they support our mission.”
SELF Executive Director Honored
9/23/2011
SELF Executive Director Jeffrey Diver was named a Community Health Center Hero by the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers.
Diver was recognized for his work on the board of Primary Health Solutions which developed and improved the community health center system in Butler County.
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SELF Executive Director Honored
SELF Executive Director Jeffrey Diver was named a Community Health Center Hero by the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers.
Diver was recognized for his work on the board of Primary Health Solutions which developed and improved the community health center system in Butler County. Diver has served on the board since 2002 and was its president in 2007-2008. He is now a non-voiting, ex-officio member.
Diver was nominated for the recognition by Roger Boyes.
"Jeffrey Diver has been an inspiration and a role model because of his continuing commitment to the community and his unyielding drive to make sure those in need receive the highest quality primary care available," Boyes said.
Primary Health Solutions now operates The Bever Pavillion in Hamilton, the Hamilton West Center and the Middletown Community Health and Dental Center.
Project 2 Empower Now Enrolling
9/21/2011
SELF is now enrolling clients in Project 2 Empower, an employment and education program, provides individual attention to clients facing a variety of issues.
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Project 2 Empower Can Help
SELF's fundamental reason for being is to remove the barriers that prevent people from being self-sufficient. Project 2 Empower, an employment and education program, provides individual attention to clients facing a variety of issues.
Gaining or improving employment is required as one of the four goals listed on Individual Service Plans set up by P2E clients. After setting up their plan, clients meet weekly with a support specialist who provides guidance, encouragement and support as they work toward their goals.
"Anyone can help someone get a job," said Program Director Shannon Gardner. "Project 2 Empower helps clients find their own way to a better life."
When setbacks occur, such as unexpected car repairs or other expenses, SELF can provide help that keeps P2E clients on track. Working with partners throughout Butler County, SELF provides the following:
- job search assistance
- resume preparation
- interview quality clothing
- education
- budgeting
- short-term transportation
SELF is now enrolling clients in Project 2 Empower. We have offices in Hamilton, Middletown, Oxford and West Chester. Call 513-868-9300 or 888-432-7022 to find out if P2E is right for you.
SELF Relocates West Chester Office
9/16/2011
West Chester Office Relocates
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SELF Relocates West Chester Office
Supports to Encourage Low-income Families, Butler County’s Community Action Agency, is relocating its West Chester office on September 20 to better serve clients in the area. The new location will be in the same building as an existing county Head Start center.
“We have been extremely fortunate to have space donated to us since January 2004 by West Chester Presbyterian Church,” said SELF Executive Director Jeffrey Diver. “The additional space and proximity to Head Start will enable us to better serve Head Start parents and others in West Chester who need a helping hand.”
SELF’s new office will be inside the Union Day School at 8735 Cincinnati-Dayton Road. The building is owned by the Butler County Educational Service Center and also occupied by Talbert House as well as Head Start.
The office will continue to provide SELF’s Project 2 Empower Program, a unique employment and education program designed to help men and women overcome barriers that prevent them from being self-sufficient. Sustained employment is the major aspect of the program, Diver said.
“The new job skills learned, goals achieved and resources accessed are all pieces of the self-sufficiency puzzle that fit together to create overall success,” Diver said. “Anyone can help someone get a job. Project 2 Empower is not just providing services; it’s also the providing big doses of encouragement.”
Project 2 Empower is funded in part by the Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty and the Liz Claiborne Foundation as well as the Butler County United Way and the Women’s Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation. As Butler County's community action agency, Supports to Encourage Low-income Families (SELF) exists 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.
For more information on Project 2 Empower or other SELF programs, contact us at 513-868-9300 or visit www.selfhelps.org.
Making a Difference in Middletown
7/22/2011
SELF brought Group Workcamps into Middletown July 10 through 15 to complete repair work on 60 homes. The results were inspirational.
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Supports to Encourage Low-income Families brought Group Workcamps back to Butler County to make repairs on 60 homes in Middletown. Last year, SELF and Group Workcamps made a similar effort for homes in Hamilton.
“These young people are absolutely amazing,” said Jeff Diver, Executive Director of SELF. “They worked so hard and gave much more than was expected of them. I know the residents truly appreciate them.”
Group Workcamps is a nonprofit based in Colorado. The camps bring together youth groups from across the country to a work site with a cosponsor such as SELF. Once in Middletown, the 356 campers from 11 states were mixed up into crews and assigned to homes.
At the end of the week, they had racked up more than 1,100 hours of community service, built three wheelchair ramps and several porches, and become expert painters. The camp provides the young people with opportunities to learn new skills and gain confidence.
Ben Lugar, 15, of Midland, Michigan, used a plane to level the boards of Johanna Burton’s new side porch. Lugar was being taught by Stephen Schoonover of Waynesboro, Penn., a machine builder by trade currently restoring his own home.
Burton was thrilled with the improvements to her home, originally built by the Vanderveer family and located on the street named for them.
“I never really used that door before, but it’s going to be used now,” she said.
On Woodlawn Drive, Judy Spencer was expecting a new porch floor, but when crew members removed the rotting floor boards, they found the damage extended to the joists as well. So, they rebuilt them too.
“This house is 100 years old,” Spencer said, “and I have a feeling the house will crumble but this porch never will.”
The crew members signed the last board on the porch before screwing it into place, adding the theme scripture for the camp week: “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 5:15)
Throughout the week, the campers met for devotions at the beginning of each day and to report “God sightings” at the end. At lunchtime, they shared devotions with each other and, often, with their residents. One of those lunchtime discussions led to a donation over and above the work they were in town to complete.
Jeff York of Sixth Avenue saw the crew working on his neighbor Karen Moore’s home and he asked them for help for his toddlers. York had purchased a used air conditioner for $50 and when it broke the repairman wanted $75. He called churches and other nonprofit groups across Middletown only to be declined. With a heat index of 116 degrees the first week of camp and his children playing in the bathtub to keep cool, he desperately asked Hiliary Michalak’s crew for help.
The kids, 8-month-old Julia and 17-month-old Justin, stole the hearts of the Michalak’s crew and the crew working across the street.
“My crew was pretty determined to help them,” Michalak, of Midland, Michigan, said.
That night, back with the groups they had traveled with, the crew members started collecting money – spending money the students had brought with them.
“They gave us $5s, $10s, $20s, $50s – people were very generous,” said 19-year-old Trent Hulett from Buffalo, Minn.
York was pleasantly surprised.
“The next day they’re knocking on my door,” said the man who became a Christian in 2007. “I know now that if I do have to struggle, it’s going to be temporary.”
The donation brought the neighbors together as well. That was the first time Moore had met York. She too was impressed with the young people.
“There was so much energy, it was contagious,” she said. “I didn’t know how I was going to get this (painting of the house and porch) done. It looks like a different house. It inspires me to get my trees trimmed and fix the rest up.”
That’s exactly what Diver and the rest of SELF were hoping for.
“We brought Group Workcamps in to help remind the community that they are a community,” Diver said. “People in need were helped but the overall boost to the community is just priceless.”
Diver also thanked many community volunteers who helped with supplies for the campers and the work, with bringing cool snacks to the students and other various donations.
SELF will cosponsor another Group Workcamps in Hamilton next July.
SUPPORTS TO ENCOURAGE LOW-INCOME FAMILIES 
