1. W H A T ’ S I N S I D E
S P R I N G 2 0 1 5
Upcoming Events
Volunteer Spotlight
A Christmas Recap
and more!
hope
David’s
Journey at
St. Joseph
Orphanage
Leads to a
Bright Future
A few years ago, David came to St. Joseph
Orphanage because of his behavior issues
in school. The staff of St. Joseph Orphanage
saw that David was frustrated with his
school work and issues at home, but he
didn’t know how to express himself or deal
with those emotions.
David worked hard at St. Joseph
Orphanage and the staff saw a miraculous
transformation. He learned how to control
his frustrations by asking questions when
he was struggling with his work, instead
of acting out. He became a motivated
and humble young man who gets a bit
embarrassed when people tell him how
great he’s doing. He loves to help the other
kids and he understands that his classmates
see him as a role model, so he always tries
to set a good example.
David is doing so great that he will be
transitioning back into a general education
high school after this year! He loves
basketball, so he’s hoping to go to a school
with a great basketball program. We are sad
to see David go, but so proud of him. We
can’t wait to see what this inspiring young
man will do next because of his motivation
and hard work at St. Joseph Orphanage!
“Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, and dreams are forever.” – Walt Disney
I N A C T I O N
2. Hey Kroger Shoppers!
Did you know the
shopping you’re already
doing at Kroger can
benefit the kids at SJO?
Simply visit www.krogercommunityrewards.com
and register your Kroger Plus Card to benefit St.
Joseph Orphanage (agency #83383).
If you’re already registered, don’t forget to renew
your annual registration in April! Community
Rewards will not affect your personal shopping
savings or Kroger Fuel Points.
Starting May 1, support the children of St.
Joseph Orphanage by purchasing a raffle
ticket for a chance to win a brand new 2015
Volkswagon Jetta S or the cash option of $15,000!
Ticket prices are as follows:
1 for $30, 2 for $50, 3 for $70 and 6 for $100.
Tickets available at www.SJOkids.org
starting May 1, or by calling 513-741-5690
x2353.The drawing will be held August 31, 2015.
2 0 1 5 C A R R A F F L E
Spring for the Stars Gala St. Joseph Orphanage
Car Raffle!
Kroger Community Rewards
U P C O M I N G E V E N T S
You can help a child spring for the stars and beyond!
April 30, 2015
Hilton Netherland Plaza
35 West 5th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
5:30 – 6:45 p.m. Cocktails & Silent Auction
6:45 p.m. Dinner & Live Auction
Join us in celebrating our 185th Anniversary at
our Spring for the Stars Gala! Enjoy an evening
of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, live music, and a
delicious dinner with special guest emcee, DJ Jon
Jon from Q102.
You will have the
opportunity to
purchase one-of-
a-kind art made
by the children
of St. Joseph
Orphanage and
win luxurious
live and silent
auction prizes,
using our new
mobile bidding
feature!
Reserve your space today by visiting
www.SJOkids.org or calling 513-741-5690 x2353.
3. YOUR LEGACY OF BUILDING
HOPE & STRENGTHENING LIVES
Through a charitable
bequest in your
will or living trust,
you can ensure
that St. Joseph
Orphanage will
Build Hope and
Strengthen Lives of
children and their families for the next 185
years. This thoughtful act, which has little
or no current financial impact on you,
may result in the largest and most lasting
gift you ever make to the children of
St. Joseph Orphanage.
Contact Jim Jenkins, Director of
Development, to learn more at
jim.jenkins@sjokids.org or
513-741-5690 x2103.
You can change lives by becoming a foster parent!
Our children need families all throughout Southwest
Ohio, from Cincinnati to Dayton. A safe place to grow
is one of the greatest gifts you can give to a child.
If you’ve ever
considered
becoming a foster
parent, please
reach out to learn
more by visiting
www.SJOkids.org
or by calling
513-481-7350
for Cincinnati
and 937-643-0398
for Dayton.
We would like to introduce our newest SJO family
member, Duke! Duke is a therapy dog with Canines
for Christ, a faith-based pet therapy group. He visits
the classes at the SJO Villa Campus and the kids love
Duke as much as he loves them. When Duke walks
into the lobby during visits, he can’t wait to get back
to the classrooms. He often leads the way, carrying
his own leash so he doesn’t trip! The kids love to hug
Duke, play catch, and touch his soft fur. We’ve seen
such a positive reaction and growth from the kids
because of Duke and his unconditional love.
welcome Duke
change a life,
SPRING 2015 « 3
the Service Dog
Become a Foster Parent
4. Jeff Rosa has been a volunteer and
friend of St. Joseph Orphanage for
more than twelve years. He has served
as a board member since 2004, hosted
Bible studies, pool parties, Venture
Crew outings and an annual Christmas
party that provided Christmas gifts
and meals to more than 70 children
this year! You could say that Jeff
became involved with St. Joseph
Orphanage by coincidence, but
Jeff will tell you, he doesn’t believe
in coincidences…
Twelve years ago Jeff and his team at Sibcy Cline had generously
collected money to purchase Christmas gifts for needy children.
Jeff called a few organizations before St. Joseph Orphanage but
oddly, no one was in need. A bit frustrated, Jeff called St. Joseph
Orphanage’s Altercrest Campus, expecting to be turned down
again, especially now that Christmas was just a few weeks away.
Jeff called and was connected to the Education Director, Lois. He told
her that he would like to buy Christmas gifts for 20 to 30 kids and the
phone went silent. “I thought I had offended her at first because it
was so close to Christmas, maybe she thought I was saying they
didn’t take good care of their kids or something,” said Jeff. “Then, I
realized she was crying.”
Lois told Jeff that a major sponsor dropped out just two weeks
before. “Since then, I’ve asked God every night to find Christmas for
the children, and you’re my answer,” said Lois. Jeff and Lois were
overwhelmed with joy! “I don’t believe in coincidences, God had
guided and blessed us,” said Jeff.
That Christmas, Jeff and his team hosted a Christmas celebration
with dinner and gifts for children at the Altercrest campus. “Every-
one at my office pitched in to make a great meal and get it all down
there,” said Jeff. “Knowing that a lot of the children were suffering
from behavioral problems and could sometimes be violent, we had
no idea what would happen, but it all went off without a hitch!”
Since then, Jeff and his Sibcy Cline team have hosted a Christmas
celebration for the children, fundraising for the event year-round.
Jeff said that every year they seem to experience little miracles
that help the whole thing come together for the children, just like
that first call that started it all twelve years ago.
We would like to thank Jeff Rosa, his team at Sibcy Cline, and all
of our volunteers at St. Joseph Orphanage! Each and every one of
our volunteers is a gift to our children, helping them on their road
to recovery and success!
V O L U N T E E R S P O T L I G H T
Jeff Rosa
V O L U N T E E R S P O T L I G H T
V O L U N T E E R O P P O R T U N I T I E S
You can make an impact by sharing your
time and talents at St. Joseph Orphanage.
INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
We offer various individual volunteer
opportunities throughout the year. We
also encourage you to think of creative
ways to make an impact by sharing your
individual expertise or talents with St.
Joseph Orphanage.
GROUP VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Projects such as landscaping, program supply
drives and cleaning to create an excellent
environment for the children of SJO are great
opportunities to bond with fellow co-workers,
church members or others, while contributing
to a worthy cause.
Groups, companies, and clubs are invited
to host a party for the children. There are
also opportunities available off-site such as
organizing a donation drive on behalf of
St. Joseph Orphanage or making handmade
cards for the SJO Card Pal Program.
For more information about volunteer
opportunities, contact our volunteer
coordinator, Lisa, at 513-741-5690 X2225.
5. Thank You for Making Holiday Wishes
Come True
All of the children at St. Joseph Orphanage had a
magical holiday season because of your generosity!
We cannot thank each and every one of our donors
and community partners enough for making the
holidays merry and bright. We would like to share a
few highlights from the season, although we wish we
had enough space to share all of the unique stories
and gifts that were generously shared with our children
this holiday season!
A Holiday Tradition of Love and Generosity
In 1985, Bob Wetterer, with the cooperation of the
management of Beechmont Mall (now Anderson
Town Center), began a personal program to help
bring laughter and joy into the lives of troubled teens.
That first year, Bob set up a tree with names and gift
suggestions for the teens at the St. Joseph Orphanage
Altercrest campus. The community opened its heart
to these children and 60 gifts were donated.
Since then, the Wish Tree program has expanded to
include not only the children at our Altercrest campus,
but other non-profits, schools and even disabled
seniors. We would like to thank Bob and his team
for all of their generosity through the years!
A Wonderful Q102 Christmas Party
Our children enjoyed another wonderful annual Q102
Christmas party! The kids had a blast laughing at
Madcap puppets,
singing along with
the talented Lasalle
students, meeting
Star Wars characters,
Frosty the Snowman
and Santa himself!
Thanks to Q102 and
Q102’s Brian Douglas!
Fifteen Years of Generosity from the
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Last year the Trans-Siberian Orchestra celebrated its
15th year rocking out the Christmas season. This year
marks 15 years that St. Joseph Orphanage has been
rocking out to their amazing generosity!
A portion of the proceeds from every ticket sold
for this year’s December 12 performance benefited
St. Joseph
Orphanage
and Toys for
Tots, courtesy
of the Trans-
Siberian
Orchestra!
The event
raised more
than $9,600
for the kids
of St. Joseph
Orphanage!
a Christmas recap
LaSalle students perform at the Q102 Christmas party
Eric Cummins, Executive Director, accepting
generous TSO donation
SPRING 2015 « 5
6. Celebrating 185 years of building
hope and strengthening lives!
Check out these photographs for a glimpse of our rich history.
7. contact us
St. Joseph Orphanage – Villa Campus
5400 Edalbert Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45239
513-741-3100
St. Joseph Orphanage – Altercrest Campus
274 Sutton Road
Cincinnati, OH 45230
513-231-5010
St. Joseph Orphanage – Butler County Office
6975 Dixie Highway, Suite A
Fairfield, OH 45014
513- 887-2100
St. Joseph Orphanage –Dayton Office
3131 South Dixie Drive, Suite 220
Moraine, Ohio 45439
937-643-0398
W H A T ’ S N E W
As St. Joseph Orphanage strives to better
serve our children and their families we
are experiencing some positive growth
and change.
Recently, our Crisis Stabilization Unit
moved from our Villa campus to our
Altercrest campus. The new Crisis
Stabilization Unit space was renovated,
giving each child their own room and a
fun common area.
Our children in the Crisis Stabilization Unit
also received a brand new playground
to enjoy this spring! The playground will
provide a place for the children to stay
active and play in the fresh air. A huge
thank you in part to Citigroup, The Louis
and Melba Schott Foundation, Fifth Third
Bank Trustee, Unifund, and the many
generous 2014 Gala Fund-A-Need donors
for the playground!
SPRING 2015 « 7
A New Playground for the Children
Has St. Joseph Orphanage
made an impact on you
or your family in the past
185 years? We would
love to hear your story!
Please reach out at
elysa.hamlin@sjokids.org
or 513-741-5690 x2353.
