16 minute read
Local Spotlight: Boys Hope Girls Hope Cincinnati
Boys Hope Girls Hope Cincinnati
Helping academically capable and motivated children-in-need to meet their full potential.
Boys Hope Girls Hope Cincinnati is a lifechanging program for underprivileged children who demonstrate academic capability and motivation. Housed in one of three safe and healthy homes, scholars are provided with food, clothing, transportation, tutoring and mental health services at no expense to them or their families. BHGH does not take custody of the students, but rather “co-parents” with their families, sharing the responsibility to nurture and support each student. Scholars have access to tutors, mentors and a loving staff to support their success. Southwest Ohio Parent spoke to Missy Hendon Deters, executive director of Boys Hope Girls Hope Cincinnati, to learn more about this organization.
When do kids enter BHGH, and how long do they spend with you?
The BHGH scholarship offered to our scholars is a deep investment in them and their future. We know education is the great equalizer for success. Typically, our scholars begin their academic journey with us in seventh grade and continue through high school and onto college. They could be supported by BHGH for up to 10 years. We partner with top parochial schools to make sure our scholars have a strong academic path.
How do you measure success?
Success is measured by academic achievement, mental and emotional well-being. The largest success for BHGH is witnessing the graduations of our scholars and collegians. In 2021, our five seniors received over 60 college acceptances and over $70,000 in scholarships. We also had two seniors graduate from college and have started their careers.
What are your goals for 2022?
BHGH will continue to serve our scholars safely in our homes and support their educational success. We hope to strengthen our program and return to our normal capacity of serving 24 scholars in our three homes. We look forward to expanding and recruiting other deserving scholars that we can help support on their educational journey.
How has the ongoing pandemic impacted BHGH?
With the closing of schools and shutdowns, we had to send our youth home to their guardians. We supplied our scholars with virtual academic and emotional support. We also realized we needed to take care of their families during this difficult time. From mid-March through May 2020, we provided weekly care packages of food, cleaning and hygiene supplies for 92 people. Our staff continued to support our scholars with virtual check-ins, programming and academic support. It was necessary for us to decrease the number of students we serve. Our homes have the capacity for 24 residential scholars when bedrooms can be double occupied. Due to the pandemic and CDC guidelines, we modified our homes so that each scholar would have their own bedroom to create social distancing and safety. This reduced the number of scholars to 18.
How can everyday folks help BHGH?
People can volunteer to be a tutor or mentor, or donate gift cards or meals for our homes. People can also donate through our website (bhghcincinnati.org/donate) or our online auction to help fund needed supplies. Go to biddingforgood. com and search Boys Hope Girls Hope Cincinnati.
SW OHIO PARENT'S 2021 FALL FUN GUIDE
Fall on the Farm at Blooms and Berries
9669 S. St. Rt. 48, Loveland, OH 45140 (513) 697-9173 bloomsandberries.com/check-out-our-fall-fun-festival Dates: Daily September 18 – October 31, 2021
Fall is for FAMILY! Fall on the Farm includes fun for the whole family with hayrides, a pumpkin patch, play yard, farm animals, Bee Train rides, a trike track and more! Buy tickets online!
Waynesville Fall Fest
7392 East State Route 73, Waynesville, OH 45068 (937) 790-0036 | waynesvillefallfest.com Dates: Weekends September 18 – October 31
If you’re looking for a new family tradition, Waynesville Fall Fest has you covered! We’re excited to return this season with more attractions and entertainment than ever before. Get ready for a 5-acre corn maze, two mini golf courses, gem mining, the Wildwater Mining Company mega playset, carnival games, a petting farm, Water Wars, disc golf, pumpkin painting, S.L. Expeditions adventure trucks, and so much more! Enjoy delicious food and treats and make memories with special events throughout the season. Visit us at waynesvillefallfest.com or on Facebook @waynesvillefallfest.
Haunted Village at Heritage Village Museum
11500 Lebanon Road, Sharonville, OH 45241 (513) 563-9484 | heritagevillagecincinnati.org Dates: October 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 and 23
Heritage Village Museum will transform into a Haunted Village for a family-friendly, slight-fright event. Our 19th century village inside Sharon Woods is the perfect setting for a spooky October evening! Wander through the Village meeting witches, ghosts, and a fortune teller. Walk through the haunted cemetery and spooky woods. Enjoy balloon art, games, storytelling, and more! Enter through Sharon Centre. October 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 and 23 from 6-10 p.m. Admission is $10. Museum members and children under two are free.
L.O.L. Surprise! Live at Taft Theatre
317 East 5th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 (513) 232-6220 | TaftTheatre.org Dates: Saturday, November 6
Fans of the global sensation L.O.L. Surprise!™ will finally be able to rock out in real life with their favorite characters when the hologram concert hits the stage at Taft Theatre this November. “L.O.L. Surprise!™ Live – Calling All B.B’s” will feature fan favorites Lady Diva, Royal Bee, Neonlicious, and Swag in the first-ever family spectacular with original music, dancers, a DJ, and never-before seen live holograms! Using groundbreaking technology, the beloved characters will sing, dance and come to life being able to interact with live audiences. Don’t miss L.O.L. Surprise! Live at Taft Theatre on Saturday, November 6!
Louisville Jack O'Lantern Spectacular
1801 Amphitheater Road, Louisville, KY 40214 jackolanternlouisville.org Dates: September 30 – October 31
See 5000 artistically-carved pumpkins illuminate Louisville’s Iroquois Park - a short 90 minute drive away. This family-friendly, walk-through event runs nightly from September 30 to October 31. Sponsored by Thorntons and supporting the Parks Alliance of Louisville. Tickets are available now! To avoid sell out nights, purchasing tickets in advance is suggested. Friday and Saturday nights: Adults $20, Seniors (65+) $17, Children (3-12) $15. Sunday through Thursday nights offer discounted tickets: Adults $15, Seniors (65+) $13, Children (3-12) $12. Little ones under 2 are always free. Group rates are available!
1763 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton, OH 45013 (513) 868-8336 | pyramidhill.org Dates: Open Year Round
Pyramid Hill is a 300+ acre sculpture park with a permanent collection of 70+ monumental outdoor sculptures displayed in a landscape of rolling hills, meadows, lakes, and hiking trails. The Park also features an Ancient Sculpture Museum that displays Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Syrian and Egyptian antiquities dating to 1550 BCE. The Museum Gallery hosts exhibitions by local, regional, and national artists. Pyramid Hill is also the only museum you can experience in an Art Cart! Attracting more than 30,000 visitors annually, Pyramid Hill serves as the premier cultural tourist attraction in Butler County. Pyramid Hill is unparalleled in the region as a place where art, culture, education, and nature intersect.
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
2600 Deweese Pkwy, Dayton, OH 45414 (937) 275-7431 | boonshoftmuseum.org Dates: Open Year Round
The Boonshoft Museum is the premier destination for family learning in the Miami Valley. It is a natural history museum, science center, children's museum, planetarium, observatory and zoo all rolled into one. With tons of hands-on educational opportunities, a multi-level climbing structure and water play area, and a safe space just for the four and under crowd, Boonshoft is fun for the whole family. Rotating exhibits keep Boonshoft Museum of Discovery fresh and full of new adventures in learning.
Burwinkel Farms
4359 Hamilton Cleves Rd, Hamilton, OH 45013 (513) 738-1145 | burwinkelfarms.com Dates: September 25th – October 31st, 2021
Join Burwinkel Farms for some Fall Farm Fun! Enjoy hayrides to our pumpkin patch, corn mazes, sunflower fields (when in bloom) and walking paths, a skid maze, Halloween scavenger hunt, animals to visit, plus more! Large selection of pumpkins at great prices! Over 20 varieties of homegrown apples and tons of fall décor! Hayrides run Saturdays and Sundays, 10am6pm (weather permitting) and we welcome pre-scheduled weekday hayride groups of 10+. Other activities are open during normal business hours.
Brown's Family Farm Market
11620 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton, OH 45013 (513) 738-0404 | brownsfarmmarket.com Dates: Daily September 19 – October 24
Open 7 days a week through Halloween, with Fall Family Fun on Saturdays and Sundays from 9am-7pm Hayrides from 11am-6pm. Every Saturday & Sunday in October features “Fall Family Fun” activities, which includes a pick your own pumpkin patch, hayrides, a free corn maze, farm animals, picnic area, free play areas, and lots of photo opportunities! At Brown’s, we grow our own corn stalk bundles, Indian corn, squash, assorted gourds, beautiful mums, and of course, pumpkins in all shapes and sizes. Plus, don’t miss a full assortment of home grown apples, sweet cider, chewy caramel apples, Amish Fry Pies, bakery items and more!
Young's Jersey Dairy
6880 Springfield-Xenia Rd, Yellow Springs, OH 45387 (937) 325-0629 | youngsdairy.com Dates: September 18th – October 31st
There is plenty of fun happening at Young's this fall! Visit the farm and get lost in our corn maze, pick through acres of pumpkins, or treat your family to a scare on a haunted wagon ride. Young's is the #1 place for family fun this fall!
The Nightmare Before Christmas film with LIVE Orchestra
1241 Elm St. , Cincinnati OH, 45202 (513) 381-3300 | cincinnatisymphony.org Dates: October 23 – 24
See one of Tim Burton’s most celebrated films like never before! The fullfeature film, The Nightmare Before Christmas, will be projected on the big screen with dialogue, singing, and effects accompanied by Danny Elfman’s darkly charming score played live by your Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. Families are welcome and costumes are encouraged. After all, this is Halloween!
Tickets are HALF PRICE for our youngest ghosts and ghouls!
ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
What to look for when searching for quality programs for your preschooler.
ow that your child is in preschool, you might be thinking about enrolling them in activities that go beyond what they’re learning at school. That’s where enrichment activities come in.
The options for preschool enrichment classes are endless: dance, music, art, nature, sports… the list goes on. So, where should you start? With so many options, how do you know what will be the best fit for your child, and your family as a whole?
Here’s the good news. With so many wonderful enrichment options in Indianapolis and the surrounding areas, there are lots of places that would be a great fit. What it boils down to is: What are you looking for in an enrichment program? What are your priorities and needs? Hopefully after you are able to figure those out, the rest will fall into place.
To help get you started on your journey to picking a quality enrichment program, here are some things to be on the lookout for.
Child Interest
If your child gravitates toward a particular activity — like exploring nature, creating art or playing sports — then a good place to start is with their area of interest. Many times, though, preschoolers aren’t sure what they like! The great thing about preschool enrichment classes is that there are lots of different programs available that your child can explore. They’ll get a chance to grow and discover something new.
Age-appropriate Learning
Preschoolers learn best when they’re playing. For preschoolers, playtime isn’t just a time to be silly and have fun with peers, playtime is actually incredibly important for learning. Find a program with reasonable expectations for preschoolers, with classes where the learning is fun and playful.
Experienced Staff
The staff should be highly experienced in the topic that they are teaching, and also have a love for working with young children. They should also have realistic expectations of skills for preschool-aged children. A good way to see the staff in action is to observe a class. Ask to
Staff-to-Child Ratio
Different programs will have varying rules on class size. Some may offer more students with an instructor and helper, and others might have smaller classes with just one instructor. Find out the child to staff ratio when looking into programs, and keep in mind whether your child would do better in a class with fewer children.
Recommendations from Others
What is the enrichment program’s reputation in the community? Do other people recommend it? Word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family can be great resources for possible programs to investigate, especially if you don’t know where to start.
It might take a few sessions before you know whether you’ve found a good match between your preschooler and the enrichment program. But if your preschooler seems engaged in what they’re doing, wants to go back and is learning new skills, chances are you have found a good fit.
REDUCE YOUR RISK OF BREAST CANCER
WORDS BY LINDSAY CONNER
MANY FACTORS CAN INFLUENCE YOUR BREAST CANCER RISK. AND ALTHOUGH YOU CAN’T CHANGE GENETICS, YOU CAN HELP LOWER YOUR RISK OF BREAST CANCER BY TAKING CARE OF YOUR HEALTH. HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO HELP YOUR FAMILY BE PROACTIVE ABOUT YOUR BREAST HEALTH.
Make Dietary Changes
You’ve probably heard, “You are what you eat.” Experts say that line also rings true for breast cancer prevention. “Eat a healthy diet, including plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables,” says Jaime D. Lewis, MD, associate professor of surgery at the University of Cincinnati. As a surgical oncologist specializing in breast cancer, Lewis says limiting unhealthy fats and processed foods also helps to lower one’s risk. A diet low in processed foods and sugar as well as regular exercise have been associated with a 20% to 25% reduction in hormone positive breast cancer risk. The Mediterranean diet, which focuses on lean proteins and vegetables, is associated with a decreased cancer risk.
For a tip that’s easy to remember, eat the rainbow! A diet low in fat and full of colorful, whole fruits and vegetables is wonderful for cancer prevention. Focusing on plant-based sources of protein including beans and legumes is a great way to lower your risk for breast cancer, as well as other cancers and heart disease—the leading cause of death for women in the United States. As a bonus, it’s affordable and great for the environment. “Additionally, limit your alcohol intake — or avoid it all together — and stop smoking,” Lewis advises.
Exercise
Making daily physical activity a priority will help reduce your risk of developing breast cancer. “Adults should get 150 to 300 minutes of moderate or 75 to 100 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week,” Lewis says. Experts recommend you add muscle strengthening at least two days a week, as well as balance training activities. “And yes, I really do all of the above even as a busy surgeon, mom and wife!”
Maintaining or working to achieve a healthy body weight is another important step to stave off breast and other cancers, Lewis says. This includes decreasing body fat content. Fat makes estrogen, and 80% of breast cancers feed on estrogen. Lower body fat content leads to less estrogen running through the body, decreasing a person’s risk of developing breast cancer. Both aerobic exercise, such as biking or walking, and strength exercises help decrease body fat content. Doing these activities as a family can help your kids also learn healthy habits that they can carry into adulthood!
Consider Vitamins
Research suggests that low vitamin D levels are associated with increased breast cancer risk. Taking vitamin D supplements can help maintain healthy levels. Experts warn against hormone replacement therapy, for anti-aging or other purposes, which can actually increase breast cancer risk. Women should only take hormone replacement therapy if they have symptoms that are not alleviated with other medicines.
Early Detection
The American College of Radiology and the Society for Breast Imaging recommend annual screening mammography beginning at age 40. “Breast cancer screening exams and imaging should be personalized to an individual’s risk level and would recommend that women discuss with their health care providers,” Lewis says. “There are numerous organizations, and websites such as breastcancer.org, that also provide general guidelines for care.” Tomosynthesis, or 3-D mammography, is widely available and helps radiologists to detect subtle cancers, leading to early diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, tomosynthesis allows breast imaging specialists to call back fewer women for additional imaging after screening mammography. Talk to your doctor about supplemental screening exams, such as automated whole breast ultrasound and screening breast MRI, which are widely available at radiology practices in southwest Ohio.
High-risk individuals may have a strong family history of breast cancer; genetic counseling and testing can help you learn more about your body and find out if you carry a breast cancer gene. Additionally, if you have ever had a breast biopsy that had 'atypia' (abnormal cells), you are considered high risk. Lewis recommends having a formal risk assessment with an expert and discussing options for risk modification — lifestyle changes, chemoprophylaxis and possibly surgery. If you are formally screened and are identified as high-risk, insurance should pay for annual breast MRI in addition to mammography. Some women choose to undergo screening breast MRI even if they are at average risk.
Finally, make sure the men in your life are aware that they, too, can develop breast cancer, Lewis says. Approximately 1% of breast cancer diagnoses in the U.S. are in men. If any person feels or sees a change in breast shape or size, in the axilla (underarm area), notices nipple discharge, or just feels that something isn’t right, they should talk to their doctor.
