Members List:

President:
Terri Rogers
Vice President:
Lill Lane
Treasurer:
Dana Montgomery
Secretary:
Laurie Malone
Christmas Toy Store Coordinator:
Davena Sartorius
Trustees:
Tony Hauser
Melitza Clark
Lisa Mason
Parent Partner:
Linda Swensson

in partnership with schools; local business; associations; and places of worship. The Initiative works toward systemic change by collaborating with community organizations; coordinating community resources and empowering residents to take charge of their lives. The Loveland Initiative (formerly known as the Loveland Shalom Initiative) is a 501C3 organization consisting of residents of local subsidized housing and members of the community. The Initiative was founded in 1995 by the residents in order to organize and achieve better lives for their children and themselves. It has been in existence 11 years. Our mission is to educate and assist low-income children and their families. We do this by joining with residents who dedicate their talents and assets in conjunction with the larger community to facilitate activities, programs and services for themselves. The way to break the cycle of poverty is through education. Our goals are to provide access to critical services that will improve their education, obtain better jobs, reduce poverty & hunger, and achieve a better quality of life for their families. The Loveland Center is located at 405 Loveland Madeira Road Loveland, Ohio 45140 (IN THE STRIP MALL ACROSS FROM GOODWILL) next to Hitch's Deli. The Initiative serves 200+ families living in low income housing and there is another 200+ surrounding families classify as the working poor in Loveland. These Families consist of men and women who are disable and the sole providers for their children, elderly citizens, but the majorities are single parent households. We rely on the Loveland community, local businesses; churches; organizations; stores; schools; and our local citizens; as well as our local Police & Fire departments. The Loveland community is a generous one, with all kinds of assistance and donations. Why You? You can be part of something really positive, really vital; something that really changes people's lives and our community in a major way.

Referrals to Social Services, Community Services Projects, Flower Planting in Community, Candy Sale Fundraiser, Annual Spaghetti Lunch Fundraiser, GED Tutoring, Computer Adult Classes, Cool School (after school tutoring program), Summer Career Camp, Back to School Backpack Drive, Neighbors helping Neighbors Resource Center, Lenscrafters Gift of Sight Program, A.C.T.S./Car Service Program, Christmas Toy Store, Tracy Johnson Scholarship Fund, Milk Plus Program, Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Panera Bread Program.

COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS: Flower planting, Candy sale fundraiser, Loveland Healthcare Center Easter Gala and volunteering.

GED TUTORING: Taught by Loveland Initiative volunteers.

BASIC COMPUTER SKILLS FOR ADULTS: Want to learn more about computers in a casual setting??? Taught by Loveland Initiative volunteers.

COOL SCHOOL (AFTER-SCHOOL TUTORING): 30 weeks of after-school tutoring program for residents children. Tutors are recruited from Loveland High School, community participants and residents.

ANNUAL SPAGHETTI LUNCH: Helps fund the Back to School Backpack Drive and General Expenses.

BACK TO SCHOOL BACKPACK DRIVE: The third week in August backpacks, school supplies are distributed to 100+ Loveland area school children so that they can start the school year off right. May of 2006 Received an $3000.00 dollar grant from Charles H.Dater Foundation.

SUMMER CAREER CAMP: Begins the first week in July. It is a fun exposure to community careers such as Firefighters, City Workers, Cincinnati Zoo and the Arms Forces(Army). This program is funded by the Greater Cincinnati Foundation A.K.A.Summertime Kids Program.

PANERA BREAD PROGRAM: Breads, bagels, muffins, cookies, brownies etc…. from panera bread every wednesday at westover village

LENSCRAFTERS GIFT OF SIGHT PROGRAM: This program allows you to get your glasses repaired or replaced.

A.C.T.S./CAR SERVICE PROGRAMS: This program allows you to get car service.

THE LOVELAND INITIATIVE DREAM-MAKERS: Starting a new group for pre-teens and teens. Activities include: field trips, fundraisers and community events.

POWER IN PARENTING PROGRAM/SPONSORED BY BEECH ACRES PARENTING CENTER:

Our power in parenting program is based on a unique philosophy of effective parenting called "Intentional Parenting." This parenting philosophy-which is supported by extensive research on intentional, mindful,and strength-based parenting techniques-focuses on a parent's ability to identify and support their unique strengths and gifts as well as those of their children. It also connects parents with their peers, helps them set goals for their child's development as well as their own, and helps them secure the community resources necessary to achieve success.

If you would like more information or even enroll in the program contact Linda Swensson at 683-3111 or 658-3274 on Wednesday 5pm-7:30pm or Thursday's 3pm-5pm.

CHRISTMAS TOY STORE: Begins the third week of December. At this event each family will sign up for a specific shopping slot. They will be able to purchase approximately 3-5 gifts per child depending upon the number of gifts donated. Gifts will be priced at $1, $3, and $5, as an example a $30 book would be put on the $3 table. New donated items from area churches; business; organizations and community members are sold to registered parents as holiday gifts. The money that is raised finances an annual college scholarship for a student who meets the Initiative criteria, judge by a scholarship committee.

TRACY JOHNSON SCHOLARSHIP FUND: Tracy, a past resident of Westover Village, was a young woman who died from muscular dystrophy before realizing her dream to finish college. Residents have dedicated the proceeds from the Christmas Toy Store to go into a scholarship for higher education.

MILK PLUS PROGRAM: Within the city of Loveland there are 200 low income working poor families. Some of these families are eligible for government food programs, which are intended to supplement these families’ grocery budgets. While that is helpful, often it is not enough for those families. Through the use of the grant dollars, The Loveland Initiative will be able to purchase the basics a family needs, such as milk, eggs, butter, cooking oil, bread, cheese and cereal. These food items will be distributed to the working poor families of Loveland the end of the month when other resources are scarce. This is critical to reduce hunger, nutrition problems, and stress for families working hard to make ends meet. We depleted the initial funds set aside for this program. However it was a huge success and asset to our community.

MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY IN LOVELAND:

This is the 10th anniversary of a celebration in Loveland to honor the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It is organized by the Loveland Initiative.

Join with the community to celebrate the birthday of America's most important spiritual leader.

• Curtis Fuller Channel 5 News Anchor • First Missionary Baptist Church Choir • Epiphany United Methodist Church Praise Band • Oxford Gourd and Drum Ensemble • Cincinnati Drum Circle and Tribal Dance • Salvation Army Captains, Rodney and Darryl Fudge • Food and Refreshments

Sunday, January 20 6 PM Loveland Middle School 801 South Lebanon Road Loveland, Ohio 45140

Free and open to the public

Interested in donating and volunteering for any of the Initiative's programs contact Terri Rogers, President (513) 677-1057

Oasis Glof Club, Northstar Vineyard, Loveland Presbyterian, Sgt Eric Blyberg(ARMY), Dr. Boys Superintendent of Loveland Schools, Loveland City Schools, Fifth Third Bank, Loveland Mill, Miss Annabelle's Tea Parlor, Dollar General, Angilos Pizza, and the Loveland Chamber Of Commerence. Epiphany United Methodist Church, Saint Colombian Church, Loveland Police Department, Loveland Fireman's Association, Chamber Of Commerence, Safeco Insurance Company and Charles H Dater Foundation, Bethel Murdock Presbyterain Church.