|
|
|
|
|
Beneficiaries
Nordstrom has chosen three local non-profit organizations within the Cincinnati community to be the beneficiaries of the Kenwood Nordstrom Grand Opening Event Gala. These beneficiaries include: The Cris Collinsworth ProScan Fund, Lighthouse Youth Services, and the Cincinnati and Queen City Chapters of The Links, Incorporated.
100% of all the proceeds from the September 23rd Gala will benefit these three orgnizations and their signature projects.
Cris Collinsworth ProScan Fund
Enhancing women's lives through knowledge, services and hope, the Cris Collinsworth ProScan Fund promotes breast cancer awareness and education through the Pink Ribbon programs which include: The Pink Ribbon Mammogram Match, which provides mammogram funding for low-income, uninsured women; The Pink Ribbon Bag, a gift bag full of items of comfort, knowledge and support designed to provide hope to women newly diagnosed with breast cancer; two ProScan Pink Ribbon Centers which provide women’s breast imaging services for all women; and the Pink Ribbon Empowerment Program, a culturally competent age appropriate outreach program that empowers women to take charge of their breast health. Signature Project
 Lighthouse Youth Services
Since 1969, Lighthouse Youth Services has been a beacon of hope for abused and neglected children and for families in crisis. Lighthouse serves over 4,000 youth each year and provides residential care for as many as 400 children in foster care, group homes, residential treatment centers, supervised apartments, and other residential programs. They have been characterized by innovation, a willingness to meet needs as they arise and a commitment to a continuum of care. Signature Project
 The Links, Incorporated
Established in 1946, The Links, Incorporated is a global organization consisting of 12,000 professional women who are primarily African American and are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of all people of African origin. Their four-pronged programming includes National Trends and Services, The Arts, Services to Youth and International Trends and Services. Funds raised through the gala will support the and Queen City Chapters—the two chapters operating in the greater Cincinnati area. Signature Project
Signature Projects
Cris Collinsworth ProScan Fund
Committed to providing early detection of breast cancer to ALL women, the ProScan Pink Ribbon Center Over the Rhine, a program of the nonprofit Cris Collinsworth ProScan Fund, opened its doors in October 2005 to provide indigent women with free mammograms. Approximately 88% of the patients that come to the center are women of limited financial means who are also uninsured, making it a vital center to the underserved population.
In its first phase, the center began operations, launched an outreach initiative called PREP, the Pink Ribbon Empowerment Program, and garnered transportation to and from appointments through the “Cruisin’ for a Cure” pink vans; thereby breaking down several of the traditional barriers associated with why women do not get mammograms. The second phase of the ProScan Pink Ribbon Center addresses two goals, which include increasing the number of mammograms performed at the center and the inclusion of funded Breast MRI for high risk patients. To begin, the center will expand by building a more ergonomic center that allows for increased patient traffic, increased mammograms and streamlined patient flow.
Taking it one step further, in order to unearth the best possible outcome for a patient, a physician may, from time to time, recommend the combination of a screening mammogram with a Breast MRI for women who are high risk. The recent interest in Breast MRI follows reports that malignant or cancerous lesions get brighter onscreen following the contrast agent injection used during the procedure. MRI has been shown to detect small breast lesions that are sometimes missed by mammography, and MRI can successfully image the dense breast better. In late 2008, we determined that 44% of our patients have dense breasts but currently, our center does not offer the breast MRI service because of the higher cost associated with it. With the support of Nordstrom’s funding, the center will be able to partner with Breast MRI centers to provide Breast MRI at no charge to low-income, uninsured women.
Lighthouse Youth Services
Lighthouse Youth Services Homeless & Runaway Youth Division maintains the only around-the-clock accessible emergency shelter in the Cincinnati area for youth ages 10 – 17. It also offers outreach services to homeless youth living on the streets and places homeless older teens/young adults ages 18 and older in supervised apartments to teach them life skills. In 2008, the division served over 1300 young men and women. Lighthouse strives to provide basic needs such as food, clothing, socks, underwear, school fees, transportation to and from school, and personal care products to name a few. With the continuation of the Client Assistance Program, Lighthouse Youth Services will further extend aid, provide instruction and inspire hope to neglected children and families in crisis.
The Links, Incorporated
Signature Project: The Links Youth Docent Signature Program
In 2004 The Cincinnati Chapter of the Links, Inc. provided funding for collaboration with the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center to establish the Links Youth Docent Signature Program. Since its inception 100 students have successfully completed the 2 year training/internship program and graduation ceremony.
Each year, a cross section of area high school students participates in a rigorous application/screening process. Students are selected by Links and Freedom Center personnel. The 30 students selected complete a 20 week training program, which includes; required historical reading, research projects, team building, leadership development and orientation in all aspects of the FreedomCenter. Students meet every Saturday, either at the FreedomCenter or go on Field Trips pertinent to aspects of slavery and the pursuit of Freedom in America (John Parker House, Freedom Trail).
During the second year, students are involved in a paid internship that provides opportunities to work with exhibit installations, and museum openings. They also serve as junior docents, taking school children through the Center.
The Links, Cincinnati Chapter proudly recognizes and honors all graduates at a special graduation ceremony reception. Links, Parents, teachers, museum officials and community leaders attend. The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center appreciates the opportunity to involve youth in a scholarly study of the museum. This project has received national recognition and we hope will leave a legacy for our local and national communities.
Signature Project: The Queen City Links Women's Health Fund (QCLWHF)
The primary beneficiary of our services, programs and resources is the Village of Lincoln Heights and the surrounding valley area communities. The Village of Lincoln Heights in particular feels the pressures of high poverty rates and the impact that has on their families especially in the area of health care education and access to services. The Queen City Chapter of The Links, Incorporated has created the Queen City Links Women's Health Fund (QCLWHF).
As the recipient of funds received from the Nordstrom Gala, the QCLWHF will be available for programs and services that will enable women, children and families to gain access to services and educational programs in the following target areas:
- Obesity
- HIVS/AIDS
- Mental Health
- Domestic Abuse
- Osteoporosis
- Sickle Cell
- Sexual Health
- Heart Disease
- Substance Abuse
- Breast/Cancer
- Infant Mortality
- STD’S & Teen Pregnancy |
|
|
| Copyright 2009 Cris Collinsworth ProScan Fund | |
