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A COVID-19 update from a scientist on our Board
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Thank You for most successful For the Love of the Community ever!
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GIVING USA Presentation reminder
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Happy PRIDE Month! See what's going on!
Scroll down to read more!
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Scientist On Our Board Updates COVID-19 Risks Of New BA2 Variant |
There has been a surge of infections with BA2, and many people are seeing increasing numbers of family members and friends becoming infected. This variant is more contagious than previous variants but is somewhat milder. That fact, combined with the number of vaccinated people, means that neither hospitalizations nor deaths are spiking.
However, the probability that even mild infection will lead to long-COVID, with minor or debilitating symptoms, is unknown. Past variants of SARS-CoV-2 have led to long-COVID at significant rates. And if you think, “Hmmm, I’ll just get it, because I’m vaccinated and then I’ll be even more protected,” is not a good plan. Recent studies have shown that people can be infected up to 4 times (so far). Vaccination has been found to be better than infection at ensuring some length of immunity. Hybrid immunity (fully vaccinated and recovered from infection) was thought to be the strongest, but that has not been true in many cases.
Lastly, I know you don't want to hear this, but there are new variants coming on the heels of the Omicron variant BA2 we are currently experiencing. These variants, BA4 and BA5, are genetic recombinants between Delta and Omicron. In laboratory studies they appear to be more contagious and more virulent than BA2. The new variants are predicted to hit the US in late summer and early fall. Experts are clear now that with such a mutable virus, vaccinations and the new drugs are extremely useful for preventing death, but what we call “non-pharmaceutical interventions” have to remain the backbone to keep transmission levels low. In other words, mask, mask, mask.
Many of my science colleagues and I are frustrated that officials are not continuing to provide up-to-date information and guidance. So we are doing what we can. Thanks to Duane and Community Shares for letting me share this with you.
Kelly Cowan, PhD
Community Shares Board Member
Professor of Microbiology and Epidemiology
Miami University
Community Shares' Board continues to encourage everyone to consider vaccination as the most important step to protect your health and the health of your loved ones and others in our life. Hamilton County Health Department offers the following upcoming walk-in Covid vaccination clinics:
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10 a.m-5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, Hamilton County Board of Elections, 2300 Wall Street, Cincinnati
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8 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays, Powell Crosley Y, 9601 Winton Road, Cincinnati
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12-5 p.m. Fridays, Trinity Lutheran Church, 1553 Kinney Avenue, Cincinnati
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10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Forest Park City Cycle and Health Fair, 1201 West Kemper Road, Cincinnati
Also, free at-home COVID test kits are available from https://www.covidtests.gov/ (if you have already ordered your first set of four tests for your home address, they are now allowing second sets of four additional tests to be ordered and delivered for free), and free N95 masks are available from retailers Kroger, Meijer, Rite Aid, Walgreen, Walmart, Sam's Club, and CVS.
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For The Love Of The Community Welcomes 200 |
Thank you to everyone who attended and supported for Community Shares of Greater Cincinnati's first fundraiser in three years: our sold-out For the Love of the Community on June 3 at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens.
The crowd of 200 was nearly twice the size of previous For the Love of the Community events we hosted prior to the pandemic.
Board President Tony Saldanha presented the inaugural Community Shares Corporate Inclusion Award to P&G to recognize the company's diversity, equity, and inclusion successes in the U.S., worldwide, and locally in Cincinnati. The honor was accepted by P&G Senior Director of Governance, Risk, & Compliance Koji Sado. The two are shown above with Saldanha at left handing the award to Sado, right.
Special appreciation must be expressed to our staff, volunteers, Board members, and committee members who worked so hard to help put this event together.
And thank you Sustaining Sponsor Stifel Executive Wealth Consulting Group and Supporting Sponsors First Financial Bank, Jeckering & Schneider Architects Inc., Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region, and Tristan N. Vaught Consulting.
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Community Shares Development/Events Committee Chair Estelle Riley volunteering at the 2022 For the Love of the Community event at Cincinnati Zoo as our Queen of Nametags. |
Make Reservations Now For Cincy GIVING USA June 21 |
Don't forget to join us for the Cincinnati presentation of the annual report on the state of philanthropy in the United States, Giving USA, at the Cincinnati Museum Center the morning of June 21.
Principal of Melissa S. Brown & Associates, Melissa returns to this Cincinnati program for the 19th consecutive year. As former editor of Giving USA and respected consulting researcher her annual commentary provides practical perspectives on the research conducted by the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Melissa is a highly rated national speaker about charitable giving, a faculty member of The Fund Raising School, and Chair of the Association of Philanthropic Counsel (APC).
Tuesday, 21 June 2022
Continental Breakfast: 7:30 - 8:30 a.m.
Program and Q&A: 8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
Cincinnati Museum Center
Reakirt Auditorium
1301 Western Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45203
This program has been pre-approved by CFRE International for 1 Continuing Education Point on the CFRE application for both initial certification and recertification.
The presentation and breakfast are free thanks to sponsors. Register here to attend.
The Yunker Group is organizing sponsor, and joining Community Shares as presenting sponsors are Graydon, Clark Schaefer Hackett, Three Corners Capital, BBB, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Fifth Third Foundation, Driehaus Insurance Group, and Cincinnati Insurance Companies.
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Community Shares wishes everyone the most fabulous and fierce of PRIDE months but reminds us all that the original Pride was a riot, literally, as the LGBTQIA+ community -- led by trans women of color and drag queens -- squared off with law enforcement's systemic discrimination and harassment at New York's Stonewall Inn in 1969.
We encourage community members and allies to remain vigilant in fighting back against bigotry today including opposing several anti-gay and anti-trans bills currently pending before the Ohio Legislature.
But we also encourage everyone to celebrate being your authentic selves. No one should be forced to live in a closet. We should all be able to be who we are and love whom we love.
A plethora of Pride events are planned throughout the area, including Northern Kentucky Pride and Hamilton Pride which occurred over recent weekends. Among the events coming up in Butler County is our own Community Shares CEO T. Duane Gordon appearing as drag queen Tracy Mills in the Middletown Lyric Theatre production of The Legend of Georgia McBride by Matthew Lopez. Tickets, $20 each, available here (caution: strong adult language and themes).
Cincinnati Black Pride hosts a town hall on Black wellness with Councilman Reggie Harris moderating at 6:30 pm. June 15 at e19 Lounge Bar, the 4th Annual Vizazi Torch Awards at e19 Lounge at 7 p.m. June 17, Cincinnati Juneteenth Festival June 18, BlackOUT at Good Judy's at 9:30 p.m. June 18, and a Mini Ball at 4 p.m. June 19 at e19 Lounge.
OutReels offers a free Pride Film Series at The Esquire at 6:30 p.m. Thursday nights with Mala Mala June 9, Black as U R and The Higher Spirit June 16 (in partnership with Cincinnati Black Pride), I Carry You With Me June 23, and Shortbus June 30.
The Cincinnati Music Theatre Studio Series welcomes Falsettos to the Fifth Third Bank Theatre at the Aronoff Center June 10-18.
Cincinnati's Jewish LGBTQ community welcomes Miz Cracker at a Rainbow Shabbat at 7 p.m. June 10 at Sample Space.
Cincinnati Men's Chorus performs God Save The Dancing Queens June 18 and 19.
Lighthouse Youth & Family Services benefits from Wigs & Waffles Charity Drag Brunch at 11 a.m. June 12.
Hebrew Union College will see a multi-faith Pride celebration at 7 p.m. June 23.
June 24 sees a Pride Block Party at The Birdcage, Queen City Exchange, and Bar 901 as well as Leather Pride Night at Oddfellows.
Cincinnati Pride hosts its annual awards ceremony at 7 p.m. June 23, the all-day Pride Parade and Festival Saturday, June 25, and Pride Tea Dance at 4 p.m. June 26 at the Music Hall Ballroom. Learn more here.
In addition to The Legend of Georgia McBride, Pride-related events in Middletown include a Rainbow Run 5K June 11 and PRIDE MIddletown celebration downtown at Governor's Square and the surrounding businesses 5-9 p.m. Friday, June 24, including a Pride Ride bicycle parade and a open-air drag show.
New Richmond Pride is June 10, Loving Wyoming LGBTQIA Art Show June 11, Westwood Pride June 11, Madeira Pride June 12, Lawrenceburg Pride June 12, Batesville Pride June 18, Cheviot Pride June 18, Northside Pride June 18.
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Save The Date: Great Outdoor Weekend Sept. 24-25 |
City Council Boot Camp Returns For Third Year |
City Council Bootcamp is a free, nonpartisan, arts-driven program for engaged community members interested in becoming better policymakers at the local level, either as advocates or legislators. This year’s Bootcamp will run from September 2022 - March 2023 and will give students an opportunity to network with other civic-minded residents as they learn how to effectively champion new, impactful policy changes that benefit all residents.
“In just two short years of CCB, we have had alumni appointed and elected to Cincinnati City Council; elected as precinct executives and community council presidents; appointed by the Mayor to the Cincinnati Accessibility Board of Advisors; successfully champion legislation at City Hall; and more. Now, as this empowering and impactful program enters its third year and our country has reached a critical political moment, we need smart, passionate people engaged in local government now more than ever, to push back against the political extremism we see creeping into government at every level. We can’t wait to continue supporting more local leaders on their journeys toward positive political change,” says Ioanna Paraskevopoulos, Action Tank’s Co-Founder and Executive Director.
In a mix of virtual and in-person sessions, CCB participants engage with a wide array of panelists representing government administrators, elected officials across the political spectrum, journalists, community leaders, and others who shape local policy processes and outcomes. Students then sharpen their skills through interactive, artist-led workshop experiences.
Applications are open through June 29 at 5 PM. Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend an information session either Saturday, June 11 from 3:00 – 5:00 PM, or Thursday, June 16 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. All Ohio and Kentucky residents 18 and older are eligible to apply. Because some program sessions will take place in-person, applicants should consider their availability to travel to Cincinnati during the program period before applying.
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Community Shares of Greater Cincinnati is the tri-state region's federation of charities serving the fields of social and economic justice, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare. We provide our member charities with training on nonprofit excellence, networking opportunities for collaborative work, fundraising through our annual regional workplace federated campaign, and mentorship/incubation through our fiscal sponsorship program. We serve the Cincinnati and Dayton metro areas of southwest Ohio including Butler and Warren Counties as well as southeast Indiana and Northern Kentucky. Our primary office is in downtown Cincinnati, but each of our two professional staff members also work out of their satellite home offices in Middletown. Call us at 513-724-GIVE (4483) for more information. |
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