Nonprofits and neighborhood groups press council for human services, arts, health and downtown planning funds

Dozens of nonprofit leaders, neighborhood advocates and program directors used the budget hearing’s public comment period to request continued or expanded city funding for human services, arts restoration, health programs and neighborhood planning.

Benita Campbell, chief operating officer of Lighthouse Youth & Family Services, said city human services funds help operate the Lighthouse Shakerley Center, an emergency shelter for young adults ages 18–24, and asked the council to continue support that serves roughly 300 young adults per year. “Human services funds are vital for operating the Shakley Center for Youth,” Campbell said, and she highlighted outcomes Lighthouse reported for FY24, including exits to permanent housing and increases in employment among participants.

Several speakers urged investment in arts institutions and cultural venues. Joe Gerondola, president of the Art Academy of Cincinnati, and multiple Art Academy staff described both campus safety improvements (Jackson Street pedestrian closures and lighting) and the academy’s economic contributions—Gerondola said the academy contributes about $12.5 million annually to the local economy and provides more than $4 million in scholarships. The Art Academy asked the city to consider support for safety and community‑building initiatives connected to its Over‑the‑Rhine campus.

Multiple speakers requested continued or renewed city investment in large events and cultural tourism. Representatives of America’s River Roots festival — including Tim Fogarty, co‑chair, and Susan Fisher, executive director — asked that the council renew a $250,000 city commitment. Festival organizers said they expect major economic returns from the event and described outreach and procurement strategies targeted at minority‑ and women‑owned businesses.

Domestic violence and homelessness providers urged continued Human Services Fund support. Tiffany Wilson, director of shelter services at YWCA Greater Cincinnati, said the YWCA serves survivors and children fleeing domestic violence and expects to open a new domestic violence shelter in May that will increase capacity to 120 survivors and children. Rod Hinton of Bethany House Services, which runs a large family homeless shelter, urged accelerated regional planning to address the low‑income housing shortage and gave service counts: about 270 families in emergency shelter and about 300 families receiving prevention and rehousing rental assistance last year — figures he said represent more than 2,000 people served regionally, including 1,400 children.

Preservation and restoration of the Robert O’Neil Multicultural Arts Center (ROMAC) / Regal Theater drew several appeals. Speakers including Deborah Davis, ROMAC board members, artists and community leaders asked the city to invest in a roof replacement and building restoration; commenters said ROMAC reported serving thousands of youth, artists and families through programming and presented a $3 million funding need for major restoration work.

Public health and neighborhood wellness programs were also highlighted. Multiple speakers representing Closing the Health Gap described diabetes‑prevention programs and cited participant results and community reach; Stephanie Jackson, a registered nurse and program instructor, noted the city’s relatively high diabetes and prediabetes rates and urged continued funding for prevention and training. Conservation volunteers and park stewards asked the city for additional natural‑resource staff: speakers said the parks’ natural resources team currently includes roughly two full‑time specialists for about 3,800 acres of parkland, creating a staffing ratio speakers described as insufficient to manage invasive species and restore native plantings.

Other appeals included a Downtown Residents Council request for $100,000 to fund a downtown neighborhood plan, appeals for continued funding of the Greater Cincinnati African American Chamber of Commerce and its Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC) — which offers certification, bonding up to $1 million and business counseling — and requests from Asian community groups seeking one‑time leverage support allocations to sustain festivals and cultural events. The Ohio Justice & Policy Center asked for continued support for its “second chance” legal clinics and record‑sealing work that it says helps residents clear legal barriers to employment and housing.

Speakers emphasized that many nonprofits rely on city funds as matching or operating support and asked council to prioritize flexibility if federal funding sources change. Several asked the city to maintain or increase its human‑services commitments given rising housing costs, capacity limits and continuing demand.