Need: There are several benefits of implementing an electronic data entry system that comprehensively tracks client flow:
- Measuring changes in homelessness from one year to the next is an important way to track progress and measure effectiveness in prevention, transitional and affordable housing programs.
- The scan cards allow providers to depict the number, characteristics, and patterns of shelter use among sheltered homeless persons - or persons who used emergency and transitional housing.
- Accurate data helps organizations to improve their processes, plan better and allocate funds more effectively.
GCF Grant: $20,000 for Vesta card scan system
Additional Resources: Watch a video about a man helped by City Gospel Mission. Visit Hamilton County Continuum of Care. Find out on our website how the Jimmy Heath House is helping the chronically homeless.
These children are at risk of hunger, food insecurity, poor nutrition, childhood obesity, and long-term health consequences.
Need: It’s not easy for schools to implement breakfast programs without assistance. Government programs exist but have gaps and low-income families often must resort to buying foods with little nutritional value or skip meals altogether. The
Children’s Hunger Alliance focuses on increasing breakfast participation each day in four target counties – Hamilton, Butler, Warren and Clermont.
GCF Grant: $60,000 for expanding school breakfast programs
Additional Resources: Visit the
International Food Information Council Foundation. Visit the
American Dietetic Assocation. Learn about another nonprofit feeding children,
Whole Again International on our
website.
Need: Ohio citizens with criminal records face myriad legal barriers that prevent them from fully contributing to their communities. OJPC’s Second Chance Project legal clinics are held for anyone with a criminal record so they can walk in without an appointment and talk with lawyer or paralegal about any legal issue. Second Chance classes empower participants with knowledge of legal systems so they can handle their current legal issues, avoid future criminal-justice involvement, and talk intelligently to their elected representatives about the need for reform. More than 600 individuals use these services.
GCF Grant: $35,000 for Second Chance legal clinics and classes
Additional Resources: Visit Community Shares. Follow OJPC on Facebook.
A high number of these young people have significant problems that include homelessness, having and raising babies, felony convictions, and victims of violence, unstable families, school dropouts, and joblessness. Because Elementz is advertised as a "safe" alternative to drugs and violence, the young adults at Elementz have already chosen to avoid drugs, violence and gangs when they walk in the door. However, that choice doesn't guarantee or make up for lack of education, lack of income/housing or lack of extended family support.
Need: A caseworker to implement the “circles of support” concept. Through these “circles” the youth are connected with resources to them take advantage of their gifts and help them overcome barriers to find jobs, housing, child care, education/training, and good relationships.
GCF Grant: $80,000 for caseworker
Additional Resources: Watch video of Elementz on YouTube. Read about Elementz in Soapbox. Find out about Elementz performances on Twitter.