Spring 2013

Russell sat across from me with no particular expression on

his face. He was quiet but ready to answer my questions. I

could see that something in his experiences had taken quite a

toll on him, but I didn’t know half of it. He had lost the

greatest loves of his life; his wife, in 1994, and then his father,

in 2005. He began to spiral into the depths of alcoholism,

which led to his chronic homelessness.

It’s amazing that once you get the chance to walk in another’s

shoes, compassion comes naturally. I now knew the reason

for his sad and sometimes disgruntled attitude. Though he was

admitted to Respite Care for diabetes stabilization, a number

of additional medical issues began to surface shortly after his

admission. He scored poorly on a mental status exam, 18 out

of 30, with some apparent memory loss. Due to these issues,

he wasn’t able to take his medications, which included routine

insulin as well as insulin adjustments to cover blood sugar

results, in a safe and effective manner.

We were determined to get Russell the help he so desperately

needed. We started by helping him contact his estranged family. We also helped him set up mental

health services and a neuropsychological evaluation to determine his ability to live on his own. The

mental health services also provided support for his two years of sobriety. Our caring staff assisted

him in filing for social security disability and Medicaid, both of which he was awarded. The results

of tests ordered by Dr. Donovan, our Medical Director, were critical to the process of applying for

social security disability.

One of these tests, a CT scan of the brain, showed partial blockage of blood flow resulting from

damage caused by previously untreated injuries. It was during this course of treatment that Russell's

demeanor began to change. He told us his stay at Respite Care was the first time in a very long time

that he had been treated with love, compassion, and dignity. We watched with joy as Russell

transformed from an unapproachable, hurt man to a friendly, healing man who was often our door

greeter. Soon it became an everyday experience to see Russell with a skip in his step and a smile on

his face!

Russell recently left our care to return to his family 2000 miles away. As he smiled and waved at

me from the airport, he promised to keep in touch, a promise he has faithfully kept.

Message from Executive Director 2

Transformation Awards 2

Volunteers 3

Awards 4

Donor Bill of Rights 5

“Nothing is impossible, the word itself

says, 'I'm possible'!“

~Audrey Hepburn Restoring Health, Transforming Lives

Transformations

Inside this Issue:

Don’t let the

winter blues get

you down...

Volunteer at the

Center for Respite

Care. It’s exactly

what the doctor

ordered!

Our Mission is to provide

quality, holistic medical

care to homeless people

who need a safe place to

heal, while assisting them

in breaking the cycle of

homelessness.

I’m leaving on a Jet Plane Client’s relationship with family is restored

Transformation Awards

The Second Annual Transformation Awards took place at Xavier University’s Cintas Center. We would like to thank all those who made the Transformation Awards such a huge success by sharing our vision and making this event a reality. The Event Co-Chairs: Carol & Larry Neuman and Martha Schueler. The Committee: Becky Beckstedt, Charlotte Boemker, DeAnn Gorham, Edita Hoffman, Beth Hurley, Diana Klinedinst, Andy Meyer, Mary Beth Meyer, and Marsha Weaver-Butler. The Transformation Award was created to honor those who go above and beyond to transform the lives of others and the communities in which they live.

Event Sponsor: Home City Ice

Benefactors: Anesthesia Assoc. of Cincinnati & Pain Management Assoc. Anonymous

Patrons: Betty B. Klinedinst Meisel Family Foundation Strauss Troy

Partners: Sug & Mike Clauder Garden Park Health Care The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati Joseph Auto Group Kroger Robertson Family Standard Textile TriHealth United Healthcare

Friends: Adath Israel Congregation Robert H. & Susan F. Castellini Foundation Deer Park Roofing Nina & Ed Paul Martha Schueler

Page 2 TRANSFORMATIONS

Message from the Executive Director

Thank you

to our

2012

Transformation

Awards

Sponsors

& Honorees

2012 Award Recipients:

Father Michael Graham

Dr. Joseph Kiesler

The Late Ron Matthews

We are pleased to announce that the Center for Respite Care has been chosen to receive the Medical Respite Award for

Excellence for outstanding outcomes in improving the health and quality of life for our clients. Presented by the National

Health Care for the Homeless Council, CRC is the first medical respite in the country to receive this distinction because

of our innovative and collaborative approach to treating individuals who are homeless. The outcomes are impressive for

our unique model which focuses on healing the entire person, from medical care and counseling through support services

and housing.

As you know, we provide more than physical healing at CRC. We help our clients solve the issues that are keeping them homeless.

More than 90% of our clients heal and go into housing or treatment upon leaving us, compared to a national average of 30%. This is life

changing for our clients while saving our community millions of dollars annually.

CRC will be presented the Award at the 2013 National Health Care for the Homeless Conference in Washington, D.C. in March.

On behalf of the board, staff and clients, I’d like to thank you for your support of the Center. We wouldn’t be here without the guidance,

donations and collaboration of so many caring people. The passion and hard work of the community has made this endeavor a

tremendous success! We are honored to have the opportunity to work with you to help sick, homeless individuals to improve their health

and return to stable lives.

Save the Date: 2013 TRANSFORMATION AWARDS - October 17, 2013

Mary Beth Meyer

TRANSFORMATIONS Page 3

Spring 2013

The Annual Campaign was a huge success! The outpouring of generous donations was amazing. A special thank you to the clients and volunteers who made the mailing so effortless. Please read what a volunteer had to say about her experience. Thank you!!!

Dear Center for Respite Care Staff,

I received my card from Respite Care. I knew right away that this card was handled with lots of TLC. Charlotte & staff, that was such an uplifting time at Respite care on Thursday. It was a great group of people. I enjoyed all of the interesting conversations that we had. This time refreshed my soul and uplifted my spirit. Keep up the good work that you do to show respect and value for all life. God Bless You.

Love,

Rosie

A Few of our 2012 Blessings

Thank You!

“Seek goodness everywhere, and when it is found, bring it out of its hiding place and let it be free and unashamed.”

~William Saroyan

1. Friends from Adath Israel celebrated the 4th of July

with our clients.

2. Clients, staff and volunteers enjoyed Thanksgiving

dinner compliments of Stone Creek Dining.

3. The Christmas Elves from Hyde Park United

Methodist Church decorated CRC for the Holidays.

4. Volunteers and staff collaborated with Matthew 25

Ministries 5K walk.

5. Several organizations held golf outings benefitting the

Center for Respite Care. Since 2009, Friends of

Charity has raised thousands of dollars annually to

help CRC clients! Also, in 2012, Anesthesia Associates

and Pain Management of Cincinnati hosted an outing

raising over $11,000 for CRC!

6. Symphony pianist Michael Chertock performed a

concert at Sycamore Presbyterian Church to benefit

CRC. Larry Kent, Pastor, presented Mary Beth Meyer,

CRC Executive Director, with a $10,000 check

representing the proceeds from this concert and their

summer Lawn Fete fundraiser!

7. Andy Meyer, Volunteer Coordinator, helped students

from Walton Verona High School Shantytown.

8. Volunteers from Blanketed with Love dropped off

warm, cozy hand-made blankets for clients.

9. Go Cincinnati volunteers painted several rooms at the

Center for Respite Care.

4

3

2

1

5

6

7 9 8

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR AWARD WINNERS!

Center for Respite Care

Recipient of the Medical Respite Award for Excellence

Dr. Bob Donovan Medical Director for CRC

employed by Cincinnati

Health Network

Recipient of the

Molina Healthcare

Community

Champions

Awards

& Health Care

Melissa Frances Housing Coordinator

for CRC

Recipient of the

Julie Martin

Service Provider

of the Year

Award

It’s that time of year when spring cleaning is on everyone’s mind. CRC

is in need of cleaning supplies for our housing clients. Our current

needs also include men's socks and underwear.

Donor Bill of

Rights

Did you know there

was such a thing as

the Donor Bill of

Rights? On the fol-

lowing page you will

see this document.

At the Center for

Respite Care we

strive to meet and

communicate your

rights as a donor. If

at anytime you

would like to talk to

us about your dona-

tions please contact

us.

We would like to thank all those

who helped us become the first

recipient of this National Award!!

Our funders, donors, volunteers,

Board of Directors and Staff

made this possible. We are

genuinely honored by this

recognition.

A Donor Bill of Rights

PHILANTHROPY is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition

of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life. To ensure that philanthropy

merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective

donors can have full confidence in the non-for-profit organizations and causes they

are asked to support, we declare that all donors have these rights:

I.

To be informed of the organization’s mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.

VI.

To be assured that information about their dona-

tions is handled with respect and with confidentiality

to the extent provided by law.

II.

To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization’s governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judg-

ment in its stewardship responsibilities

VII.

To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.

III.

To have access to the organization’s most recent financial statements.

VIII.

To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired solicitors.

IV.

To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.

IX.

To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.

V.

To receive appropriate acknowledgement and recognition.

X.

To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forth-

right answers.

DEVELOPED BY: Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) Council for Advancement and Support of Education

(CASE) Giving Institute: Leading Consultants to Non-Profits

ORIGINALLY ENDORSED BY: Independent Sector National Catholic Development Conference (NCDC) National Committee on Planned Giving (NCPG) Council for Resource Development (CRD) United Way of America

Restoring Health, Transforming Lives

3550 Washington Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229

Non Profit Standard Mail U.S. Postage

PAID Cincinnati, OH

Permit No. 5300

Board of Directors Diana Klinedinst Chair Tom Tillar Chair Elect Robert L. Hauser, CPA Treasurer Claudia G. Allen, JD Secretary Michael Behme, CPA Ruby Crawford-Hemphill, RNC Cary D. Hines, CPA Byron Johnson Brian Jones Gary Karg Joseph Kiesler, MD Mark Manley, MD Larry A. Neuman Lori Uphaus Vanessa Vaughn Advisory Board Rabbi Kenneth E. Ehrlich Jane Mynatt Jason Niehaus Mary Beth Meyer Executive Director Robert Donovan, SM, MD Medical Director Services generously provided by Cincinnati Health Network