Good Call

The Bell Charitable Foundation just announced its latest grants, giving nearly $300,000 to 14 organizations.

This round of grants is focused on organizations driving Technology and Health & Wellbeing initiatives. The BCF also supports organizations driving Economic & Social Mobility and Environmental Sustainability initiatives.

Founded in 2022, altafiber launched The Bell Charitable Foundation to offer opportunities for nonprofit organizations to expand their programs and operations beyond what was previously possible in areas where altafiber and Hawaiian Telcom provide service.

Health and Wellbeing Pillar

Therapeutic Riding Institute

TRI provides therapeutic riding lesson programs for individuals with physical, cognitive, social, emotional and/or behavioral disabilities. TRI’s mission is to enhance lives by providing high quality and accredited equine assisted services in a safe, fun, and compassionate environment. We are proud to be the Dayton region's only Premier Accredited Center of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Int’l), and your support enables us to keep lessons affordable and accessible to families with significant medical challenges. TRI’s students depend on us for a fun and fulfilling recreational experience, as well as the many physical, mental, emotional, and cognitive benefits of therapeutic riding. Our program and facilities are designed for students who need support and instruction that isn’t offered at traditional horseback riding centers. Our highly-credentialed Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors (CTRIs), specially-trained horses, and over 250 volunteers enable a safe and enriching experience for students. Despite growing research that supports the benefits of equine assisted services, access to horses is rarely afforded by those who are living below the line of poverty, including disparaged communities in the Dayton region. Furthermore, unlike a traditional riding lesson program, our CTRIs, specially trained therapy horses, and team of lesson volunteers ensure that those with disabilities have a safe and effective program to help them reach their potential and have an enriching and fulfilling experience. According to PATH Int’l, “Because horseback riding rhythmically moves the rider’s body in a manner similar to a human gait, riders with physical disabilities often show improvement in flexibility, balance and muscle strength...Therapeutic/adaptive horsemanship contributes to the cognitive, physical, emotional and social well-being of individuals with disabilities.” Therapeutic riding can also be extremely beneficial for kids and teens with intellectual disabilities for social interaction and empathetic connection with the horses.

First Responder’s Bridge

The Bridge focuses on smashing the stigma and preventing suicide by providing confidential, expense free, three-day retreats for first responders and their significant other struggling with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidal ideation resulting from the things they see and hear on the job. It's a tragic fact that in the United States, more first responders are dying by suicide than line of duty deaths. The Bridge offers four annual retreats serving 1400 people, an annual follow up retreat for all past attendees, and six free post-retreat counseling sessions. The Bridge pays for all lodging, meals, and programming. For 72-hours, attendees work closely with some of the nation's top peer support presenters and culturally competent clinicians to receive information on trauma recovery treatment options, resources, and services. Attendees also attend clinician led breakout sessions where they begin to build a support network. The Bridge retreats fill up mostly by word of mouth and we currently have a five-month waiting list. To date, the Bridge has served more than 14-hundred first responders from 38 states. The First Responders' Bridge is saving the lives of those who save lives.

Adult Friends for Youth

Adult Friends for Youth’s Re-directional Therapy Counseling Program creates safer schools and communities in Oahu, Hawaii for all residents. AFY provides Re-directional Therapy counseling services to the highest-risk youth who engage in violent and destructive behaviors and are at risk for academic failure and gang involvement. Group and individual counseling services are provided on school campuses during school time in partnership with the State of Hawaii Department of Education, as well as in the community during out-of-school time. Youth come from low-income and historically marginalized communities that are ripe with violence, drugs, and criminal activity. As long-term behavioral change takes time, AFY works with youth for an average of 3-4 years. Over that period, counseling activities (i.e., discussions, role plays, experiential learning opportunities) help to transform target youths' behaviors from destructive to constructive and provide them with tools and skills that help them to succeed in mainstream society. Through changing the mindset and behavior of the most violent youth on Oahu, AFY helps bring peace into all communities. We have worked with over 90 gangs and over 2,000 gang members. Of those 90 gangs, 70 have dissolved or are no longer recruiting.

Your Store of the Queen City

Your Store of the Queen City was founded by neighbors when Cincinnati's neighborhood of Lower Price Hill became a food desert in 2017. From there, neighbors leveraged their planning to open Meiser's Fresh Grocery & Deli, which engages in workforce development to create jobs and train neighbors through operating the food social enterprise and deli that offer with subsidized prices and nutrition discount programs to provide affordable fresh food shopping alongside several free entrepreneurship, emergency hunger relief and nutrition education programs. The free community wellbeing programs also include Lower Price Hill Farmers & Makers Market, which, combined provide daily access to free groceries and meals, free hot food for unhoused neighbors, free household items, free frozen pan meals and pints of soup, and unlimited free produce. Meiser's is proud to be the only emergency food location open in Cincinnati with hot meals and groceries 6-days per week available to shoppers from anywhere in the Greater Cincinnati area. At the end of 2023 there were 1,618 neighbors signed up for Meiser's Green Giveaways Program, TRIPLE the 500 members the year before. $481,619 were saved in shopper discounts, free meals, and reduced travel in 2023 amounting to 142,138 servings of produce distributed through sales, Produce Perks, and giveaways; exponentially increased from the 38,254 servings distributed in 2022. The model of Meiser's is now being shared on not just a local and regional level, but has seen an international platform through presentations designed with our research partners to help communities envision a sustainable future where communities receive economic and career opportunities to build programs where good food reaches the people who need it most, improving health outcomes, instead of being wasted and contributing to climate change.

1N5

1N5's mission is to prevent suicide by erasing the stigma of mental illness and promoting optimal mental wellness. If awarded, this funding would be used in schools K-12 with a focus on schools with marginalized student populations. 1N5's school program, Building Resilience in Youth (BRiY), is designed to meet the needs of the youth mental health crisis and build safeguards around students in need. These safeguards reduce or erase the stigmas that surround mental illness, normalize conversations surrounding it, and help drive those in need toward services much sooner, resulting in better outcomes. It's a multi-faceted approach to mental health education and suicide prevention that involves students, teachers, school staff, and parents/caregivers. We create customized solutions using evidence-based programs for each school's unique mental health needs. By 2031 provide mental health resources to all Greater Cincinnati high schools. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth, and 20% of youth ages 13-18 are living with a mental health condition. Fifty percent of mental illness originates before the age of 14, and 75% appears before the age of 24. More than 37 percent of students with a mental health condition age 14 and older drop out of school--the highest dropout rate of any disability group. The average length of time for a person living with a mental health condition is 8-10 years before they start receiving treatment.

Joseph House

Joseph House offers a holistic inpatient and outpatient program for veterans struggling with substance abuse. The program includes individual and group therapy, relapse prevention techniques, life skills development, and peer support. They are scheduled to move into their new site in Camp Washington as part of an intentional effort to transform the way Joseph House engages with its veteran clients into one that is more home-like, individualized, and healthier. Funds are needed to add additional hours of therapy and clinical supervision to ensure residents can take advantage of the new site and rebuild healthy lives for them and their families. Joseph House is the only veteran-led behavioral health organization in our region. Over the past two decades, veterans and military families have been exposed to the stress of multiple deployments, combat exposure and a variety of visible and not-so-visible injuries. Through the work of Joseph House and other veteran-serving groups, military and veteran families are better equipped to support our veterans to maintain healthy and sober lives. We strive to include all who have served, regardless of background, ability, or gender. New therapeutic services and clinical supervision are needed as treatment for the new clients may require gender specific needs regarding sexual harassment and military sexual trauma. This request will provide an additional .5 FTE and leverage the diverse experience of Joseph House's clinical staff to identify these specific needs and coordinate with the local VAMC and partner agencies to address these needs as part of their co-occurring diagnosis and treatment needs. Grant funds will be used to strengthen our therapeutic program to take full advantage of the new site. With the expansion provided by our new facility's four distinct wings and private rooms, Joseph House will be able to offer safe and supportive services specifically tailored to female veterans for the first time.

Cincinnati Cancer Advisors

The Cincinnati Cancer Advisors (CCA) is a consultative oncology practice that provides second opinions, genetic counseling, and financial navigation services to more than 400 Cincinnati cancer patients each year. The days following a cancer diagnosis can stir feelings of uncertainty, urgency, and apprehension. To aid, CCA provides a free second opinion for those needing cancer care, so that they walk away with a thorough understanding of their diagnosis and confidence in their plan of care. CCA does not charge patients, private insurance companies or Medicare/Medicaid for the services it provides. A comprehensive case review, physical examination and written second opinion (after consulting with other oncology experts around the U.S. and globally) is provided free of charge to cancer patients. CCA ensures that anyone who needs a second opinion can access an independent, objective opinion of the highest quality.

Technology pillar:

Found Village

Young people involved with the child welfare system experience a technology access gap in multiple forms. To ensure young people's safety, the system often prevents those ages 12 to 17 who live in protective custody from accessing personal devices with cellular data or utilizing standard social media outlets. This lack of access prevents young people from developing safe online habits, restricts their access to information about post-secondary opportunities, and keeps them from developing digital literacy as a skill for the 21st century marketplace. Found Village's work creates the right conditions for young people to thrive. While the organization has created safe in-person environments for growth since 2018, the Found Village team has recently learned from young people that they do not have access to safe digital spaces and want more connection to our community. The proposed suite of digital resources will ensure that young people involved with child welfare have safe access to online opportunities which prepare them to thrive in adulthood. To promote digital equity for young people involved with child welfare in Hamilton County, Ohio, Found Village will implement a suite of digital resources including a safe social media platform, device library, and a digital education series beginning in April 2024. The Bell Charitable Foundation grant will support ongoing content development for the Found Village Online social media platform during its first year of operation, connecting 80 young people to a digital community where they can readily communicate with safe adult coaches, learn about upcoming community events, and develop digital literacy for life.

Partnership for Innovation in Education

This immersive workforce and in-classroom learning program will develop the first-ever Formula 1 Electric Vehicle (EV) Youth Lab reaching 500 Cincinnati Public School Students at the Aiken New Tech HS Engineering Lab with scalability to all SW Ohio School Districts. In-classroom skills credentialing will prepare students for Electric Vehicle Automotive Technician, Electric Battery Charging Station Operator & Adv. Manuf. Operator occupations. Students will build a Formula 1 Electric Engine prototype with the Ohio State University (OSU) Automotive & University of Cincinnati (UC) Smart Mobility Engineering Teams piloting the Electric Vehicle (EV) Immersive Design & Sustainability Tool Kit with PIE, DriveOhio, Honda, OH Manufacturer's Association & The PAST Foundation. This responds to an urgent call by OH Governor DeWine asking for an increased focus on emerging, in-demand careers for OH K-12 students. These efforts to build “hands on” programming increases the number of diverse students proficient in emerging career pathway skills providing high paying jobs. Having been coined the “Silicon Heartland,” Ohio is becoming a magnet for EV innovation, product development and manufacturing growth, with massive expansions and new advanced manufacturing sites. OWT forecasts 25K jobs will be available for Ohio's workforce requiring unique skill set credentialing to support EV development spanning aerospace, manufacturing, automotive & advanced mobility. Ohio is facing a critical shortage of skilled trade’s workers, due to an aging workforce & limited awareness in all trades. According to the National Electrical Contractors Association, 7K new electricians join the industry each year, but 10K retire from it. This scalable program allows underserved students to become prequalified for in-demand & high paying EV jobs. The Formula 1 program at Aiken New Tech HS will commence in Fall 2024, after supplies, training and curriculum have been obtained. Inside the Engineering Lab, students will experience OH-EV skills credentialing and qualify for in-demand Electric Vehicle, Advanced Manufacturing & EV Battery, Design and Sustainability jobs.

PCs for People Ohio

In partnership with the Avondale Development Corporation and Uptown Consortium, PCs for People proposes to offer a series of six basic computer skills workshops, targeted to primarily older adult residents of the Avondale neighborhood (approximately 18 participants per workshop, for a total of 108 residents served). Workshop participants would have the opportunity to take home the laptop computer that they use during the workshop, allowing them to build on the foundations of digital literacy developed during the training to continue advancing their skills. The digital inclusion study conducted in Avondale in 2022 found that 16% of Avondale residents did not have access to a personal computer (compared to 11% in Cincinnati overall). According to the study, "Avondale residents highly value digital access. They specifically cited the importance of digital access for: employment opportunities, entertainment and social connections, financial transactions, social services, health information, medical support, and virtual learning." The study also identified older adults as a group facing particular barriers to developing digital skills, noting that "additional resources and supports" are needed. Through this program, both the need for and community interest in ongoing digital skills training was evident, but what was lacking was a way for residents to learn and continue developing digital skills on a personal computer. In this project, ADC will host and publicize the workshops building on the success of the previous project, and PCs for People staff will present the workshops on basic computer skills topics, while providing participants with low incomes with a personal computer to keep, at no cost, at the conclusion of the workshop. PCs for People provides remote tech support and a one year warranty with every device. In partnership with the Avondale Development Corporation, PCs for People will conduct six basic computer skills workshops at the Avondale Business Center. Each workshop will reach an estimated 18 residents, for a total of 108 residents served.

Assistive Technology Resource Centers of HI

Assistive Technology Resource Centers of Hawaii (ATRC) will use the funding to expand and develop its access to technology, assistive technology (AT) equipment, and services for children and youth with disabilities statewide, especially those who live in the underserved areas to enable people to live healthy, productive, independent, dignified lives and fully participate in school, work, and the community that aligns with the agency's mission to link individuals with disabilities of all ages with technology and AT regardless of their financial and social standing to enhance their quality of life. As the Federal and State designated Tech Act program, for nearly 30 years, our organization has been the sole leader in promoting technology and AT through our services and programs. Our primary role is as a resource center to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities of all ages, including those who have paralysis with a severe condition such as Cerebral Palsy, Spinal Cord Injury, and Trauma Brain injury. Having a disability is very challenging and shouldn't mean being excluded. ATRC staff is well aware that children with disabilities often find themselves isolated and lonely, and technology with internet /broadband has played a crucial role in improving access to education for children/youth with disabilities. Camp Cool - Cyber Edition provides educational opportunities and access to technology in an interactive and engaging learning environment for children and youth with disabilities, including those with paralysis, regardless of their financial situation and social standing, so they can live more independently, improve their mental, physical and emotional health as well as have better quality of life. Camp Cool was developed in 2007 to promote and improve access to technology and AT devices for children with disabilities statewide through education, facilitate communication and socialization, and hands-on experience with different technology and AT equipment. The program also allows volunteers and students studying special education and occupational therapy to apply their knowledge and skills into practice.

Per Scholas

Funding will support IT training, professional development instruction, and connecting employment opportunities to learners, and two years of support after program completion. Per Scholas prepares learners with skills in-demand in the job market and expands access to technology by teaching technology skills and professional development, tailored to business needs, to highly motivated learners. Current courses offer certifications in highly desirable skills, including IT Support, Network Infrastructure, Software Engineering, Cybersecurity, and AWS. Per Scholas is committed to building a more diverse technical workforce by creating educational onramps for groups staggeringly underrepresented in the tech sector, including women, people of color, young adults, and veterans. Per Scholas has enrolled nearly 800 individuals in Greater Cincinnati since its 2013 launch. Thirty-three percent of our learners are women and 64% people of color. Based on historical results, we anticipate the following outcomes: - 85% of Per Scholas learners graduate from training - 80% of graduates obtain one or more relevant industry-recognized IT certifications - 80% of graduates gain employment with starting wages averaging about $20 per hour Per Scholas tracks learner data for up to two years post-graduation. We work to assist all learners in securing employment, with 80% of graduates landing jobs within one year, 90% of which are in the technology sector. Per Scholas’ model is one of the only tech workforce development models nationally recognized, whose most recent multi-year MDRC Work Advance study concluded that for every $1 spent on Per Scholas training, $8 is returned to the local economy. With the Bell Charitable Foundation's support, Per Scholas Greater Cincinnati will enroll more than 185 learners during the grant period. Of enrolled learners, 157 (85%) will graduate, and within a year of graduation, at least 125 (80% of graduates) will attain positions, with average wages of at least $21/hour, or $43,000 annually.

Avondale Development Corporation

Communication is key to growing any community. We will establish a part time position for a “Public WiFi Community Coordinator,” or PWCC, who will coordinate the efforts of stakeholders to use the WiFi engagement platform to improve social determinants of health, education, and economic development in Avondale. The public WiFi being deployed in 9 of The Community Builder owned multi-dwelling complexes and 6 outdoor locations along Reading Road in Avondale will provide free internet service to thousands of residents and visitors. The UniCity software utilized in this system captures information from users including their email addresses and provides a mechanism that stakeholders can use to engage users with email messages. The PWCC will coordinate with stakeholders such as health care providers, the African American Chamber, the Urban League, and others to use the platform to engage and inform WiFi users of programs and events that will improve health care, drive economic development, and present educational opportunities in Avondale. Without a PWCC, public WiFi implementation delivers internet services to those in need, but through better coordination, a PWCC can take the public WiFi to a much higher level of community engagement and improvement, by connecting residents to much needed services and resources.

Hawaii Science and Technology Museum

A museum that brings exhibits directly to the students to inspire and spark an interest in STEM. HSTM serves the Hawaii Island community through our various outreach programs such as Science Camps, math tutoring, after school programs, student research support, robotics competitions, and special events. ​The KKBCRC provides hands-on activities in the engineering design process, coding, CAD, 3D printing and other fabrication, electronics and physics activities, in a fun and engaging way building long lasting relationships with the students that participate.​ Robotics center has served 5,534 kids over the last year with nearly 30,000 visitors to date.