Dear friend and supporter,
As I walk through Lower Price Hill these days, it is easy to see a more vibrant community. New and renovated buildings, active storefronts, and lively gardens mark our progress. Once vacant spaces are filled with families, and you can feel renewed energy on every street.
But, more than anything, 2023 was about the growth you cannot see from the sidewalk.
It was about investing in our neighbors as they build the families, careers, and lives they desire. It was about building a more just community, where all our neighbors feel safe and supported, with the freedom to be themselves and opportunities to use their strengths. Where all our neighbors have a voice in the decisions being made around them.
During the past year, we partnered with 600 families to remove barriers and make progress on their personalized goals, and 87% of them made progress on those goals. We worked with 45 students who earned a high school equivalency degree, many of whom have since enrolled in college. Our resident leaders led 20 unique initiatives, including harvesting more than 1,300 pounds of fresh produce from our neighborhood gardens. And 11 buildings have been transformed into new homes where families can set roots and grow for years to come.
I invite you to join us in supporting the mission of Community Matters by making a year-end donation today. With your support and the leadership of our neighbors, we can continue to nurture a thriving, more just community.
With gratitude,
Mary Delaney
Executive Director
Meet Samantha
“I can talk to people now without being scared. I can be myself now. When I cook, I take a bunch of food up to the people at Evans Field who are homeless, because I know what it was like. It makes my day to be able to do that, to be a part of things down here.”
Samantha met the staff of the Opportunity Hub when she visited the community Market for food. She was struggling to escape a long-term abusive relationship that eroded her confidence and stability.
In partnership with Community Matters staff, Samantha now has an apartment and a job, and she is rebuilding relationships with her children and grandchildren. She is excited about the upcoming holidays and the chance to buy gifts for her family. “I can help out now because I have a job,” she said, “and it feels good to do that.”
Each year, we partner with around 600 neighbors, like Samantha, in the Opportunity Hub. Our role is to partner in whatever way they want as they navigate barriers and pursue opportunities. We believe a more just community is one in which all people are celebrated for their strengths and have the opportunities needed to thrive.