News Archive
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CASS Welcomes Two New Board Members
August, 2009 - CASS welcomed two new members to its Board of Directors. Barb Eickmeyer and Emily Pan will begin three-year terms beginning in September.
Barb is the local sales manager for Time Warner Cable Media Sales. She has spent nearly a decade in media sales, and has a background in nonprofit and corporate marketing.
Emily is an associate with the law firm Graydon, Head and Ritchey. She practices in the firm's Personal Planning Industry Group, with a focus on estate planning and estate and trust administration.
Barb is the local sales manager for Time Warner Cable Media Sales. She has spent nearly a decade in media sales, and has a background in nonprofit and corporate marketing.
Emily is an associate with the law firm Graydon, Head and Ritchey. She practices in the firm's Personal Planning Industry Group, with a focus on estate planning and estate and trust administration.
Maple Towers Senior Center Gets New Steamtable Thanks to Greater Cincinnati Foundation Grant
August, 2009 - CASS has received a $1,300 grant from the Greater Cincinnati Foundation for the replacement of a steamtable for its congregate meal site at the Maple Towers Senior Center in Avondale.
"This is the largest congregate meal site CASS operates. Last year, we served 17,860 meals to the Maple Towers building's residents and seniors in the surrounding neighborhood," said Tracey Collins, CASS executive director. "This grant enabled us to replace the center's steam table so there was no interruption to the meal service."
As a community foundation, the Greater Cincinnati foundation makes grants that provide leadership in six key areas: arts and culture, community and economic development, education, environment, health and human services.
"This is the largest congregate meal site CASS operates. Last year, we served 17,860 meals to the Maple Towers building's residents and seniors in the surrounding neighborhood," said Tracey Collins, CASS executive director. "This grant enabled us to replace the center's steam table so there was no interruption to the meal service."
As a community foundation, the Greater Cincinnati foundation makes grants that provide leadership in six key areas: arts and culture, community and economic development, education, environment, health and human services.
High School Students "Grow Old" at CASS Senior Center
Mayerson Service-Learning Program Visits Over-the-Rhine Senior Center
July, 2009 - When you're 15, you don't think much - if at all - about getting older and what your life will be like when you reach your grandparents' age. To a 15 year-old, getting older usually means a driver's license, high school graduation and going off to college. This summer, students taking part in the Mayerson Foundation's Service-Learning Program had the opportunity to "become old" and experience some of the challenges senior citizens encounter in every day living.
For the past 17 years, the Foundation has funded the Service-Learning Program to expose Greater Cincinnati teens to local social service agencies and encourage them to become involved in the community through volunteering and community service projects. Students from local high schools spend a week living in a college dorm, visiting and working in area social service agencies. "Preparation for community service activities is an important part of the Mayerson Service-Learning Program, commented Steve Elliot, director of the program.
On June 22, six students from Finneytown, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, Clark Montessori and Bishop Brossart high schools visited the Cincinnati Area Senior Services Over-the-Rhine Senior Center. Center Director Cheryl Ware showed the kids what it was like to "get old." Clark Montessori student Riana Graham put on a pair of glasses to read a magazine article to the group. The lenses were coated with Vaseline, allowing Riana to experience blurry vision, much like that of an elderly woman with cataracts.
Bishop Brossart student Julia Stefan's hands were wrapped with tape. Julia tried to open a milk carton, a jar of peanut butter and a pill bottle. She couldn't do it. The "arthritis" in her hands made those simple tasks nearly impossible. Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy athlete Ben Stevens put dried split peas inside his shoes. One of the seniors wrapped his knees in Ace bandages. Ben tried to walk around the room and up a flight of stairs. He shuffled along, but not with the speed and agility of a teenager.
Other experiments simulated the loss of hearing and sense of smell that is common among senior citizens. In just a few hours, these students experienced what seniors experience every day, and they left understanding how difficult it can be for seniors to accomplish the basic tasks of everyday living. "Teachers should do these age simulation exercises with their students before undertaking any activity that involves seniors, such as a visit to a senior center," advised Elliott.
For the past 17 years, the Foundation has funded the Service-Learning Program to expose Greater Cincinnati teens to local social service agencies and encourage them to become involved in the community through volunteering and community service projects. Students from local high schools spend a week living in a college dorm, visiting and working in area social service agencies. "Preparation for community service activities is an important part of the Mayerson Service-Learning Program, commented Steve Elliot, director of the program.
On June 22, six students from Finneytown, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, Clark Montessori and Bishop Brossart high schools visited the Cincinnati Area Senior Services Over-the-Rhine Senior Center. Center Director Cheryl Ware showed the kids what it was like to "get old." Clark Montessori student Riana Graham put on a pair of glasses to read a magazine article to the group. The lenses were coated with Vaseline, allowing Riana to experience blurry vision, much like that of an elderly woman with cataracts.
Bishop Brossart student Julia Stefan's hands were wrapped with tape. Julia tried to open a milk carton, a jar of peanut butter and a pill bottle. She couldn't do it. The "arthritis" in her hands made those simple tasks nearly impossible. Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy athlete Ben Stevens put dried split peas inside his shoes. One of the seniors wrapped his knees in Ace bandages. Ben tried to walk around the room and up a flight of stairs. He shuffled along, but not with the speed and agility of a teenager.
Other experiments simulated the loss of hearing and sense of smell that is common among senior citizens. In just a few hours, these students experienced what seniors experience every day, and they left understanding how difficult it can be for seniors to accomplish the basic tasks of everyday living. "Teachers should do these age simulation exercises with their students before undertaking any activity that involves seniors, such as a visit to a senior center," advised Elliott.
Claudia Harrod Joins CASS as Development Manager
July, 2009 - Claudia Harrod has joined CASS in the newly-created position of development manager. She will be responsible for developing the planned giving program for CASS, developing grants, working with individual donors and growing in-kind corporate contributions to the agency.
A long-time resident of Cincinnati, Claudia has an extensive background in working with local nonprofits. She is also active in the community and is a volunteer for Women Helping Women and the Madisonville Education and Assistance Council.
A long-time resident of Cincinnati, Claudia has an extensive background in working with local nonprofits. She is also active in the community and is a volunteer for Women Helping Women and the Madisonville Education and Assistance Council.
Recipient of Council on Aging President's Award
March, 2009 - The wind storms in September 2008 were devastating to many parts of the Tri-State area. Many people were without power for more than a week. While many businesses, schools and organizations closed their doors, CASS held true to its mission. Under the leadership of Executive Director Tracey Collins, the CASS team rose to the occasion. CASS not only delivered meals to its clients, it also picked-up the routes and delivered meals to the clients of other Meals-On-Wheels providers.
In recognition of its commitment to meeting the needs of vulnerable older adults, Tracey Collins was a recipient of the Council on Aging President's Award. On March 17, 2009, Tracy Collins (front row, second from the left), along with Jack Maybury, president of Derringer Foods and Vending Services (front row, second from the right), and Hamilton County Commissioners Todd Portune (front row left), David Pepper (front row right), and Pat Dewine (not pictured) received the Council on Aging's highest honor.
Also pictured are Suzanne Burke, Chief Executive Officer of Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio (front row center) and members of the CASS team - back row. Congratulations to the entire team at CASS for your commitment and a job well-done. CASS really delivers, regardless of the weather or circumstances.
In recognition of its commitment to meeting the needs of vulnerable older adults, Tracey Collins was a recipient of the Council on Aging President's Award. On March 17, 2009, Tracy Collins (front row, second from the left), along with Jack Maybury, president of Derringer Foods and Vending Services (front row, second from the right), and Hamilton County Commissioners Todd Portune (front row left), David Pepper (front row right), and Pat Dewine (not pictured) received the Council on Aging's highest honor.
Also pictured are Suzanne Burke, Chief Executive Officer of Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio (front row center) and members of the CASS team - back row. Congratulations to the entire team at CASS for your commitment and a job well-done. CASS really delivers, regardless of the weather or circumstances.
New Administrative Offices
February, 2009 - After over 20 years at our former 644 Linn Street offices in Queensgate, CASS recently moved to new office space located at 2368 Victory Parkway in the Walnut Hills area.
The Mission of CASS Receives Grant from National City Bank
February, 2009 - National City Bank has awarded a grant to Cincinnati Area Senior Services (CASS) in support of its transportation program. The grant enabled CASS to purchase a new vehicle which is being used on one of our many home-delivered meals routes. CASS is the largest providers of home-delivered meals in the Greater Cincinnati area.
Since 1967, CASS has been connecting older adults with needed resources and support services to help them maintain their dignity and independence. From Meals-On-Wheels to guardianship services, Senior Centers and transportation services, CASS delivers.
In the photo are: Tracey Collins, CASS executive director (center), and Jason Kiss, CASS board president (right), accepting the check from Scott Robinson of National City Bank (left).