United Way – Cincy Link https://cincylink.com Explore Cincy Fri, 02 Jun 2023 19:01:58 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://cincylink.com/pub/content/uploads/sites/27/2020/03/apple-touch-icon-precomposed-100x100.png United Way – Cincy Link https://cincylink.com 32 32 Woman to receive kidney transplant from United Way employee https://cincylink.com/2023/06/02/woman-to-receive-kidney-transplant-from-united-way-employee/ https://cincylink.com/2023/06/02/woman-to-receive-kidney-transplant-from-united-way-employee/#respond Fri, 02 Jun 2023 19:01:58 +0000 https://cincylink.com/?p=189307

Words cannot describe how grateful Ahlam Askar is to have a second chance at life.She was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure in July 2022."The process from there was just like a rollercoaster of emotion. Got really dark, got really scary and I didn’t know what to do," Askar said. She was desperately searching for the perfect kidney donor, while spending countless hours at her dialysis appointments."Because of my blood type, the waiting list for a kidney for me is roughly seven to 10 years," she said.Askar works in foster care and described how all of her work family were getting tested to see if they were her match. But it was unsuccessful.Until Jonathan Oakley came into her life."John Facebook messaged me right before the hurricane and was like I don’t know if you know this but I’m your kidney match," she said.Oakley is the father of one of Askar's work friends."My daughter and her have been friends for about three years now. So, we’ve come to know who she is," Oakley said. "In September, I heard that the dialysis was going rough for her and she hadn’t found a match yet. And we were the same blood type, so I got two kidneys, I figured she needs it. I’ll give it to her." Oakley is the senior director of Mission United at United Way, so life every day for him is a mission to serve others."For this young woman to have a life moving forward it only makes sense for me to help any way I can," Oakley said. "I’m a believer that if you have the ability to help, that you should.""Not only will my body 24/7 just go back to work, meaning it’s constantly clearing my body of toxins, clearing my blood, helping me excrete any bacteria. I am just overall going to have a better quality of life. I won’t be tied to a machine," Askar said. "I will just have the opportunity and the chance at life again."The transplant is scheduled for sometime later this month."Named the kidney ‘Kyle.’ And it just makes sense so it’s not an awkward conversation in a month or two. I’m not going to message her going, ‘How’s my kidney doing? Are you treating it right?’ It’s, ‘How’s Kyle doing?’" Oakley said."He’s a guardian angel to all of us. And I’m just so thankful for literally giving me a new life," Askar said.If you'd like to help with Askar's medical expenses, click here.

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. —

Words cannot describe how grateful Ahlam Askar is to have a second chance at life.

She was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure in July 2022.

"The process from there was just like a rollercoaster of emotion. Got really dark, got really scary and I didn’t know what to do," Askar said.

She was desperately searching for the perfect kidney donor, while spending countless hours at her dialysis appointments.

"Because of my blood type, the waiting list for a kidney for me is roughly seven to 10 years," she said.

Askar works in foster care and described how all of her work family were getting tested to see if they were her match. But it was unsuccessful.

Until Jonathan Oakley came into her life.

"John Facebook messaged me right before the hurricane and was like I don’t know if you know this but I’m your kidney match," she said.

Oakley is the father of one of Askar's work friends.

"My daughter and her have been friends for about three years now. So, we’ve come to know who she is," Oakley said. "In September, I heard that the dialysis was going rough for her and she hadn’t found a match yet. And we were the same blood type, so I got two kidneys, I figured she needs it. I’ll give it to her."

Oakley is the senior director of Mission United at United Way, so life every day for him is a mission to serve others.

"For this young woman to have a life moving forward it only makes sense for me to help any way I can," Oakley said. "I’m a believer that if you have the ability to help, that you should."

"Not only will my body 24/7 just go back to work, meaning it’s constantly clearing my body of toxins, clearing my blood, helping me excrete any bacteria. I am just overall going to have a better quality of life. I won’t be tied to a machine," Askar said. "I will just have the opportunity and the chance at life again."

The transplant is scheduled for sometime later this month.

"Named the kidney ‘Kyle.’ And it just makes sense so it’s not an awkward conversation in a month or two. I’m not going to message her going, ‘How’s my kidney doing? Are you treating it right?’ It’s, ‘How’s Kyle doing?’" Oakley said.

"He’s a guardian angel to all of us. And I’m just so thankful for literally giving me a new life," Askar said.

If you'd like to help with Askar's medical expenses, click here.


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]]> https://cincylink.com/2023/06/02/woman-to-receive-kidney-transplant-from-united-way-employee/feed/ 0 Help ahead for 65-plus age group squeezed by vaccine eligibility expansion https://cincylink.com/2021/07/03/help-ahead-for-65-plus-age-group-squeezed-by-vaccine-eligibility-expansion/ https://cincylink.com/2021/07/03/help-ahead-for-65-plus-age-group-squeezed-by-vaccine-eligibility-expansion/#respond Sat, 03 Jul 2021 04:39:31 +0000 https://cincylink.com/?p=39762

Help ahead for 65-plus age group squeezed by vaccine eligibility expansion



INSIDE THE UNITED WAY, SOME ARE FINDING THE MOST USEFUL TOOL IN THE VACCINATION PROCESS IS THE TELEPHONE. >> ON A TYPICAL DAY WE HAVE BETWEEN 300 TO 1000 CALLS. BRIAN: THIS IS THE 211 CALL CENTER. IT WAS ONCE FOR ANYONE NEEDING SOCIAL SERVICES. ADDED NOW SPECIFIC HAMILTON COUNTY RESIDENTS CAN CALL 211 FOR VACCINE HELP >> WE’RE REALLY HERE TO HELP THOSE WHO ARE 65 AND OLDER WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO NAVIGATE THE ON LINE SCHEDULING SYSTEMS. BRIAN: DEIRDRE BELUAN IS DIRECTOR OF CARE COORDINATION FOR UNITED WAY. >> THAT IS OUR TARGET AUDIENCE, THOSE WHO ARE MOST VULNERABLE WHO WOULD NOT GET AN APPOINTMENT OTHERWISE. BRIAN: BUT THE EFFORT TO MAKE SURE THE 65 PLUS AGE GROUP GETS VACCINATED GOES BEYOND HAMILTON COUNTY. >> THE MORE PEOPLE ELIGIBLE, THE MORE COMPETITION WE ARE HAVING FOR VACCINE. BRIAN: CHRISTA HYSON IS WITH THE HEALTH COLLABORATIVE. SHE SAYS MOST HOSPITALS IN THE REGION HAVE SET ASIDE A CERTAIN NUMBER OF APPOINTMENTS SPECIFICALLY FOR THOSE OVER 65 THAT ARE YET TO BE VACCINATE YOU MAY LOG ON TO A HOSPITAL SYSTEM AND SEE NOTHI AVAILABLE. WE’RE MAKING SURE THAT A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE IS RESERVED FOR THOSE HIGH RISK POPULATIONS THE 65 PLUS POPULATION THAT THEY CAN GET IN. BRIAN: TO SAY GOODBYE TO COVID. YOU CAN STILL CALL 211 FOR THOSE SOCIAL SERVICES YOU JUST SELECT IF IT’S FOR THAT OR FOR A COVID VACCINE. BRIAN HAMRICK, WLWT NEWS 5. SHEREE: REMEMBER THAT 211 NUMBER IS ONLY FOR THOSE OF YOU IN HAMILTON COUNTY. MIKE: THOSE VACCINES ONE KEY TO GETTING US MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AGAIN. THAT’S ONE POINT OHIO’S GOVERNOR DROVE HOME TODAY, AS HE UNVEILED NEW NUMBERS SHOWING WE’VE HIT A PLATEAU. SHEREE: IN FACT, WE’VE EVEN TAKEN A SMALL STEP IN THE WRONG DIRECTION. WLWT NEWS 5’S JOHN LONDON TALKED WITH THE GOVERNOR TODAY TO SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT. JOHN: APPARENTLY NOT MUCH BEYOND ENCOURAGEMENT ABOUT GETTING VACCINATED AND WEARING MASKS. NEXT WEEK, THE STATE WILL RECEIVE A COMBINED TOTAL OF 571,000 DOSES FROM PFIZER, MODERNA AND JOHNSON AND JOHNSO THAT WILL BE THE STATE’S HIGHEST AMOUNT TO DATE. THE HOPE IS IT WILL HELP DRIVE DOWN THE CASE COUNT NUMBER WHICH IS NO LONGER DROPPING IN SWIFT FASHION. IN FACT, IT WENT UP SLIGHTLY THIS WEEK AND HAS FLATTENED OUT. IT’S NOT CLEAR WHY. BUT IT IS CLEAR THAT THE STATE IS NOT DRAWING CLOSER TO THE 50 CASE PER 100,000 BENCHMARK SET BY GOVERNOR DEWINE >> A STATEWIDE CASE RATE OF 146.9 IS STILL VERY HIGH. IT’S CERTAINLY A LOT LOWER THAN IT WAS IN DECEMBER WHEN WE WERE HITTING OUR PEAK. SO, WE JUST HAVE TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON THIS. AND AGAIN, IT’S THE DEFENSE WEARING A MASK AND IT’S THE OFFENSE IN VACCINATE, VACCINATE, VACCINATE. JOHN: 80,000 OHIOANS WERE VACCINATED YESTERDAY. THE GOVERNOR STATES WE’RE GOING TO HAVE ENOUGH FIREPOWER, MEANING INCREASED SUPPLY. BUT WITH 52 OF OHIO’S 88 COUNTIES SHOWING A HIGHER CASE COUNT THIS WEEK, GETTING RID OF RESTRICTIONS SUDDENLY SEEMS A LONG WAY OFF JOHN LONDON, WLWT NEWS 5. SHEREE: A NEW GOAL IN THE RACE TO STOP THE CORONAVIRUS. PRESIDENT BIDEN IS DOUBLING HIS VACCINE TARGET FOR HIS FIRST 100 DAYS. MIKE: WLWT NEWS 5 ANCHOR ASHLEY KIRKLEN IS COVERING THE PRESIDENT’S FIRST NEWS CONFERENCE SINCE TAKING OFFICE. ASHLEY: 65 DAYS INTO HIS PRESIDENCY, THE PRESIDENT TOUTED HIS ADMINISTRATION’S RESPONSE TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC AND EFFORTS TO STOP THE VIRUS AND HIS ECONOMIC STIMULUS. BIDEN SAYS HIS ADMINISTRATION MADE A HUGE INVESTMENT TODAY IN THE HARDEST HIT COMMUNITIES WITH AN ADDITIONAL $10 BILLION GOING TO REACH PEOPLE MOST AT RISK OF COVI AFTER MEETING HIS PREVIOUS GOAL OF 100 MILLION VACCINES IN 100 DAYS LAST WEEK ON BIDEN’S 58TH DAY IN OFFICE, THE ADMINISTRATION’S NEW GOAL IS 200 MILLION SHOTS BY 100 DAYS IN OFFICE. PRES. BIDEN: I KNOW IT’S AMBITIOUS. TWICE OUR ORIGINAL GOAL. BUT NO OTHER COUNTRY IN THE WORLD HAS EVEN COME CLOSE, NOT EVEN CLOSE TO WHAT WE ARE DOING. I BELIEVE WE CAN DO IT ASHLEY: THE RAPID PACE HAS BEEN HELPED BY THE ARRIVAL OF A THIRD VACCINE, THE ONE-SHOT VACCINE FROM JOHNSON & JOHNSON, WHICH DRASTICALLY UPPED THE COUNTRY’S SUPPLY IN MARCH, AND BY STATES MOVING TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ELIGIBLE FOR THE VACCINATION. ASHLEY KIRKLEN, WLWT NEWS 5. MIKE: A DEVELOPING STORY OUT OF CLERMONT COUNTY. A FORMER JUNIOR HIGH GOLF COACH IS CHARGED WITH RAPE, INVOLVING A CHILD YOUNGER THAN 13. A CLERMONT COUNTY GRAND JURY INDICTED NICHOLAS BRYANT ON EIGHT CHARGES. THE ALLEGED CONTACT HAPPEN BETWEEN MAY 2017 AND THIS PAST NOVEMBER. THE MILFORD SCHOOL DISTRICT SAYS BRYANT IS NO LONGER EMPLOYED WITH THEM. BUT HE SERVED AS A JUNIOR HIGH GIRLS GOLF COACH IN 2019 AND 2020. THEY SAY THE ALLEGED INCIDENTS DID NOT HAPPEN ON SCHOOL GROUNDS OR DURING HIS COACHING HOURS. AND THAT BRYANT PASSED STATE AND FEDERAL BACKGROUND CHECK SHEREE: THE MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING TEN PEOPLE, INCLUDING A POLICE OFFICER, IN A COLORADO GROCERY STORE, WENT BEFORE A JUDGE TODAY MIKE: STEVEN ALBRITTON HAS THE DETAILS ON THE CHARGES HE’S FACING. STEVEN? STEVEN: FOUR DAYS AFTER HE ALLEGEDLY USED A MILITARY STYLE RIFLE TO GUN DOWN 10 PEOPLE, AHMAD AL ALIWI ALISSA MADE HIS FIRST APPEARANCE IN COURT. THE 21-YEAR-OLD WAS HANDCUFFED AND BROUGHT IN USING A WHEELCHAIR, POLICE SAY HE WAS SHOT IN THE LEG DURING MONDAYS SHOOTING. THE JUDGE RULED TODAY ALIWI ALISSA WILL CONTINUE TO BE HELD WITHOUT BOND WHILE HE AWAITS HIS NEXT HEARING IN THE NEXT TWO OR THREE MONTHS. HIS ATTORNEY’S SAY HE WILL BE GOING FOR A MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION. ALL OF THIS AS MEMORIALS CONTINUE TO GROW FOR THE 10 PEOPLE WHO DIED JUST DAYS AGO AND THE HEALING PROCESS BEGINS. >> WE’RE BEGINNING THAT PROCES THE MILESTONE FOR OUR COMMUNITY IS WHEN THAT GROCERY STORE OPENS BACK UP TO THE PUBLIC. THE START OF THE RETURN TO A CALMER, CIVIC LIFE HERE. STEVEN: ALISSA IS CHARGED WITH TEN COUNTS OF FIRST DEGREE MURDER, AND WHEN HE WAS BROUGHT INTO THE COURTROOM, THE HANDCUFFS USED TO RESTRAIN HIM COMING INTO COURT WAS THE SAME PAIR THAT OFFICER ERIC TALLY USED WHILE ON THE JOB. HE WAS KILLED RESPONDING TO THE SHOOTING MONDAY. MIKE: A DEER SHIELD TOWNSHIP WOMAN FACING FINAL ARGUMENTS IN A MURDER TRIAL. AND LEAVING THE STATE OF ALABAMA IN A HEAP OF TROUBLE. TORNADOES CONTINUE TO THREATEN THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. KEVIN: WE ARE KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON THE RADAR CLOSE TO HOME AS WELL. THINGS ARE QUIET NOW, BUT IT COULD GET MORE TURBULENT THIS EVENING. I WILL SPELL OUT WHAT THE THREATS ARE THAT WE ARE FACING AND WHEN THEY WILL BE THE GREATEST.

Help ahead for 65-plus age group squeezed by vaccine eligibility expansion


As Ohio prepares to open eligibility to the widest point yet, many in the most vulnerable age groups are yet to secure an appointment, but there is help.“Our local hospitals have reserved up to 20% of the appointments for 65-plus,” said Health Collaborative spokeswoman Christa Hyson.Many in the 65-plus age group also have the most difficulty navigating the online systems. Add to that, Ohio expands vaccine eligibility Monday to anyone over age 16.“The more people eligible, the more competition we are having for vaccine,” Hyson said.Hyson said people in the older age groups are still being given priority.“You may log on to a hospital system and see nothing available. We’re making sure that a certain percentage is reserved for those high-risk populations,” Hyson said.In Hamilton County, people can dial 211 for help.The 211 number was set up to help deliver social services decades ago. In addition to that, people over 65 who have limited internet access can call for help in getting a vaccine.“We’re really here to help those who are 65 and older who are struggling to navigate the on-line scheduling systems,” said United Way care coordinator Deirdre Beluan.The center is getting between 300 and 1,000 calls a day.

As Ohio prepares to open eligibility to the widest point yet, many in the most vulnerable age groups are yet to secure an appointment, but there is help.

“Our local hospitals have reserved up to 20% of the appointments for 65-plus,” said Health Collaborative spokeswoman Christa Hyson.

Many in the 65-plus age group also have the most difficulty navigating the online systems. Add to that, Ohio expands vaccine eligibility Monday to anyone over age 16.

“The more people eligible, the more competition we are having for vaccine,” Hyson said.

Hyson said people in the older age groups are still being given priority.

“You may log on to a hospital system and see nothing available. We’re making sure that a certain percentage is reserved for those high-risk populations,” Hyson said.

In Hamilton County, people can dial 211 for help.

The 211 number was set up to help deliver social services decades ago. In addition to that, people over 65 who have limited internet access can call for help in getting a vaccine.

“We’re really here to help those who are 65 and older who are struggling to navigate the on-line scheduling systems,” said United Way care coordinator Deirdre Beluan.

The center is getting between 300 and 1,000 calls a day.


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]]> https://cincylink.com/2021/07/03/help-ahead-for-65-plus-age-group-squeezed-by-vaccine-eligibility-expansion/feed/ 0 This nun has big dreams for ending poverty in the Tri-State https://cincylink.com/2021/05/16/this-nun-has-big-dreams-for-ending-poverty-in-the-tri-state/ https://cincylink.com/2021/05/16/this-nun-has-big-dreams-for-ending-poverty-in-the-tri-state/#respond Sun, 16 May 2021 04:38:51 +0000 https://cincylink.com/?p=46740

CINCINNATI — There are countless women in our communities working behind the scenes to make a difference.

It's possible you've never heard their names, but you should know them. Throughout 2021, WCPO’s Tanya O’Rourke will introduce you to nine influential women breaking glass ceilings or asserting their influence to make the Tri-State a better place to live.

The first woman in our series is Sister Sally Duffy, a nun with the Sisters of Charity who is using her influence to end poverty in local communities.

Moira Weir, president and CEO of United Way Greater Cincinnati, describes Duffy as essential to the fight against poverty.

"Everything I think about when I think about poverty and what we've done, Sister Sally has been a part of it, or has an influence in or has recommended something that's come out of it,” Weir said.

WCPO Staff

Moira Weir, president and CEO of United Way Greater Cincinnati, describes Duffy as essential to the fight against poverty.

Weir said Duffy is humble but passionate. Motivated by her faith, she's fought to raise wages in the healthcare system where she worked and helped hungry children get access to food. Duffy hopes her efforts are most noticeable in the lives of children.

“I think I've seen it manifested somewhat through the child poverty collaborative. Least I hope it has been,” Duffy said. “This pandemic has shown us, it has totally ripped open and revealed, you know, the inequities in the disparities that exist here. And especially for people of color.”

She's been fierce in pushing her ideas for years. When Duffy began discussing her agenda with people in power, she faced some blank stares.

“More than a fair number, Duffy said. “At times, I felt like, 'Well, we'll just let sister talk, and then go on.'”

Weir said she’s encouraged Duffy to use people’s expectations about nuns to her advantage.

"She's a sister, so who is gonna be mean to her? Weir said. “So I mean, like sometimes I say to her, 'You go say that, because you can say that and they're not gonna get mad at you.’”

Duffy said her work won’t be over any time soon.

sallyduffy.png

WCPO Staff

The first woman in our series is Sister Sally Duffy, a nun with the Sisters of Charity who is using her influence to end poverty in local communities.

“We're called to make a just and inclusive society and an equitable society, and God knows it's been inequitable for a long time, and we have a lot of groundwork to make up,” she said.

Her steady resolve is what Weir believes makes her so effective.

“She quietly gets things done and I love that about her,” Weir said. “She just keeps doing her thing and things get done, and she doesn't need a lot of accolades. She shied away from it. And she doesn't like to tell you all the things she's doing. She just quietly continually plods along, and things are happening because of her.”

Her work is part of her promise to God. It isn't just poverty she wants to eliminate. She would like to get rid of the death penalty and is working on a way to do that in the state legislature. She's also been visiting the border and trying to find a pathway to citizenship for immigrants.

"The border is only a symptom," Duffy said. "It's not where the crisis is. And so I definitely believe, you know, like, right now, we have potential legal permanent residence and pathways to citizenship."

To nominate someone you feel is an influential woman, email Tanya O’Rourke at torourke@wcpo.com.




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]]> https://cincylink.com/2021/05/16/this-nun-has-big-dreams-for-ending-poverty-in-the-tri-state/feed/ 0 More people calling 211 amid the COVID-19 pandemic https://cincylink.com/2020/04/07/more-people-calling-211-amid-the-covid-19-pandemic/ https://cincylink.com/2020/04/07/more-people-calling-211-amid-the-covid-19-pandemic/#respond Tue, 07 Apr 2020 15:07:07 +0000 https://cincylink.com/?p=11970

More people are turning to 211 during this pandemic.

United Way Worldwide says 211 usually takes about 12 million calls per year across the United States. Right now, they're taking more than double that – up to 75,000 calls a day.

Two weeks ago, when a surge in calls started, many were about the virus itself and getting tested. Now, the calls have shifted to questions about economic problems.

211 is both a database and call specialist that connects people with one contact instead of having to turn to multiple places to get help.

“So, if you're calling, looking for food, the database knows which food pantries have food and which have run out,” said Brian Gallagher, President and CEO of United Way Worldwide. “Which shelters have beds and which shelters don't have beds, those kinds of things. Where is there financial assistance and so forth.”

You can call 211 go to

211.org

to set up two-way texting.

A specialist will walk you through a series of questions. You'll be asked things like how many kids are in your home, your employment status and your household income.

That eligibility information will only be used to point you in the right direction.

“211 gets people that are in desperate need to the things they need right away but we need to make sure that the funding is there for Catholic charities, for food banks, for domestic violence shelters and so forth and so we've been working with Congress to make sure that there is, in this next legislation, support for nonprofits that are providing those services as well as emergency support for 211,” said Gallagher.

211 is hiring part-time specialists to help with the increase in calls. It's also recruiting volunteers that work remotely. You can find those

opportunities here.




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