Alice Skirtz to Speak on Econocide

November 29, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Beth Sullebarger

Vice President for Programs

Woman’s City Club

Sullebarger@fuse.net

513-772-1088

Alice Skirtz to Speak on Econocide: Elimination of the Urban Poor

The Woman’s City Club invites the public to a forum featuring social worker and scholar Alice Skirtz speaking on her book, Econocide: Elimination of the Urban Poor.  Tom Dutton, Director of the Miami Center for Community Engagement in Over-the-Rhine, will serve as respondent.  

The program takes place Tuesday, December 11 at 7:00 pm at St John’s Unitarian Universalist Church 320 Resor Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45220

Ms. Skirtz book Econocide tells a story of how Cincinnati’s pursuit of economic development and housing policies has hurt the urban poor.  She shows how the Cincinnati community’s use of legislation and its administration of public policy have privatized public assets and displaced people without economic power and privilege.  Ms Skirtz draws on more than 40 years of experience working with programs serving homeless and disadvantaged people as well as extensive research.

Recommending Econocide, David Mann, former Mayor and US Congressman, commented, “Alice Skirtz documents in impressive detail the tensions in Cincinnati between development and business interests on the one hand and the desperate needs of the poorest and most vulnerable in our community on the other hand.”

The program includes ample time for audience questions and comments.

The Woman’s City Club, a civic organization founded in 1915, works to secure a more just and livable community for all.  WCC programs educate, encourage, and equip citizens to play an active role in civic affairs. Promoting diversity and inclusiveness, WCC collaborates with other community organizations toward shared goals.

###

Reno Lattimore's Testimony

The CIRV Outreach Team continues to touch many lives through their hands on outreach tactics that they have used since day one. Reno Lattimore is a success story that we are proud to share on there behalf. He believes that if someone is willing to change, they can  start all over.

Reno Lattimore- “I came from the streets, known in every hood in Cincinnati. I am thirty-three years old. When I was in the streets I couldn't even imagine myself as far as I am now. I didn't think I would live to see the age of thirty-three. I did seven and a half years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute a kilo of heroin and criminal- enterprise.  I was a part of a street organization called "Grimmey Network". 

Today I am a changed man. In prison I challenged myself with things such as fasting and to stop eating meat, to learn discipline.  If I could accomplish prison then I knew I could humble myself to stay away from the streets. I've been home for six months now with the help and support of The CIRV Outreach Team. I currently have one full-time job, and a part-time job. I now know the true meaning of life, and how to live the right way. I feel good to be a productive citizen and to not always have to be looking over my shoulder. A lot of young black men are afraid of change. But if I can do it, anyone can do it. I want to show them what it's like to be willing to work towards a better life."

Muslim Christian's Seek Common Ground

Karen Dabdoub (pictured left), a former board member of the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission, was recently mentioned in the Cincinnati Enquirer for her efforts to make a change in the Muslim Christian community. Throughout the past five years Christians and Muslims have been meeting in small groups to confront myths and stereotypes that concern Americans who have the wrong impressions of the Muslim community.

Through rigorous discussions on faith, violence and terrorism, group members have been sorting through misconceptions that often come up when speaking about the Muslim faith. Talking about these controversial topics is what makes these groups so unique. Karen was quoted in the Enquirer about the need and importance of groups such as these. Without the group, " I think there would be a lot more distance between people of different faiths in our community," said Dabdoub, Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Cincinnati.

The main goal that Karen and her group members hope for, is to help Americans understand the Muslim history and culture so they can embrace it, instead of fear it.

Resource Fair

The Cincinnati Initiative to Reduce Violence (CIRV) OutreachTeam is hosting a Resource Fair on December 8th from 11 am- 4 pm at the PriceHill Recreation Center. The CIRV Outreach Team is hosting this Resource Fair in response to the recent shootings that occurred in the Price Hill area. The CIRV Outreach Team's goal is to bring the community together after such tragic events.  The Resource Fair will be a family friendly event that will include inspirational speakers, food, games and much more. This event is free and open to the public. 

Leadership Symposium 2012

  

LEADERSHIP SYMPOSIUM 2012

Creating a Competitive Advantage through Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity and inclusion are imperatives in today’s business environment, but is our region ready to compete?

Join corporate and community leaders for a game-changing discussion on how we can improve our competitiveness.

• Hear from Andres Tapia, international thought leader on diversity and inclusion, President and CEO of Diversity Best Practices, and author of The Inclusion Paradox 
• Learn from Diverse by Design: Meeting the Talent Challenge in a Global Economy, a report commissioned by Agenda 360 and Vision 2015 to measure our region’s overall diversity and inclusion 
• Attend focus sessions on best practices in diversity and inclusion for workforce, workplace, and marketplace 
• Accept our challenge to join teams workingto build a more inclusive community

Wednesday, December 12
7:30 a.m. – Noon
Duke Energy Center

Outcome of the Great Youth Debate

The 5^th Annual Great Youth Debate took place on Saturday, November 10, 2012 from 10:00am-1:00pm in City Hall Council Chambers, followed by a reception in room 300 from 1:00pm-2:00pm. It was attended by ninety-five guests. There were twenty-nine students who participated in the Great Youth Debate this year from Archbishop Moeller High School, Cincinnati Job Corps Academy, Exclusive Services LLC, The Summit Country Day, Walnut Hills High School, Withrow University High School, and Woodward Career Technical High School. The practices were held every Saturday from October 6^th to November 3^rd from 10:00am-1:00pm in City Hall, room 115. There were two teams, Affirmative and Opposition. The Affirmative trainers were Myron Rivers and Christie Bryant, Esq.  The Opposition trainers were Christina Brown and Jacqueline Duhon. There were six groups of four, and three groups per team with two researchers per group (one group had three researchers).

The coordinator of this event was Jaime Bryant (of CHRC).  The moderator was Michael Griffin (CEO of DVS Solutions). Debater, Kyra Watkins, gave an excellent and eloquent speech in the section, “message from a debater.” The judges were James Cullen (of Cincinnati Youth Collaborative, CYC), Amanda Gray (of African American Chamber of Commerce), Clarice Phelps (of Oak Ridge National Laboratory), Fanon Rucker (of Hamilton County Municipal Court), and CHRC Board Member Donny Young (of The Green Day Group). The participants were well prepared, somewhat anxious, excited, and ready to win during the debate, which kept it stimulating. The groups that faced off had group names. They are as listed (affirmative teams listed first and opposition teams listed second):

-Education: “The Great Educators vs. The Future of Education”

-Health care: “We Care Health care vs. The Authority on Health care”

-Employment: “Team Paycheck vs. Team Cincinnatus”

The theme was “The Current State of Our Economy.” The debate topics were geared toward Education, Health care, and Employment. Education’s debate argument was “Education is necessary for the advancement of society.” Health care’s debate argument was “Access to affordable health care is a right, not a privilege.” Employment’s debate argument was “Economies of foreign countries have an impact on the U.S. recovery.”

Cash prizes and trophies went home with everyone. First place winners received $125.00 each. Second place winners received $75.00. Third place winners received $50.00. And, all of the honorable mention participants received $20.00. The participants did a superior job defending their positions in the debate, which made the decision difficult. However, a winner had to be chosen. They are as follows:

*First Place Winners: “We Care Health care”

-Anne Klette (The Summit Country Day School), Joey Kregenhagen (The Summit Country Day), Philip McHugh (The Summit Country Day, and Kyra Watkins (Withrow University High School)

*Second Place Winners: “Team Cincinnatus”

-Mee’Asia Kyles (Woodward Career Technical High School), Benjamin Lefke (Moeller High School), Mathew Messina (Moeller High School), and A.J. Reinhart (Moeller High School)

*Third Place Winners: “The Future of Education”

-Edward Bullock (Cincinnati Job Corps Academy), Shanekqua Coates (Cincinnati Job Corps Academy), Gabriel Gibson (Walnut Hills High School), and Rockeem Wilson (Cincinnati Job Corps

Academy)

Recognition from the Ohio Senate

The Cincinnati Human Relations Commission would like to thank the Ohio Senate for honoring our work and achievements in the Cincinnati area. On behalf of the members of the 129^th General Assembly of Ohio, The Cincinnati Human Relations Commission is being recognized for our work in Minority Health, Substance Abuse, and Violence in the Community.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Ohio Senate, and the General Assembly of Ohio for this wonderful recognition, and to vow to uphold our mission and continue serving the community in the best ways we can. 

CIRV'S Involvement in the Community

The Cincinnati Initiative to Reduce Violence (CIRV) has been featured in the news numerous times in the past month. We would like to commend them on all their hard work and dedication to making the community a safer place. Through building new relationships and strengthening old ones, CIRV has been a key factor in making sure the community knows we are here to help in any way possible. Check out the links below to read all about what CIRV has been doing in the community lately. 

Fox 19- "Making a Difference" CLICK HERE 

Local 12- "Local Anti-Violence Group Helps Victim of OTR Shooting" CLICK HERE

Local 12- "Madison Gang Members Targeted by CIRV" CLICK HERE