This isn't a very comprehensive review, but you all know what the Red Cross does, I think. I was…read morehere for a meeting, and the building is impressive. LEED Gold certified, super sustainable building, with some great meeting rooms. And, of course, a good cause!

wow. the red cross…read moresure has grown up. this is an excellent building and my new top choices for a business presentation of group gathering of the minds (that is, if Choices is booked:)). on top of all that - what a killer cause.

Gabriel's Place is a wonderful institution and a wonderful asset to the community. I used to…read morevolunteer in the gardens, where they grow food to host a community farmer's market. Every Tuesday there is a community dinner, which I absolutely love (and don't make it to often enough). They also offer all kinds of programming for kids, including teaching them how to cook. There's yoga on Saturday's.

Our daughter started at Summit at the beginning of her 8th grade year because she was looking for…read moremore challenges. She immediately found a home. The teachers are amazing and push these kids to be great.

My son and daughter flourished in Summit's Montessori program, as did my granddaughter too. One of…read morethe first and best Montessori programs in the region. Excellent staff and peaceful, stimulating educational environment. Encourages the individual child to progress independently as well as social and artistic enrichment.

This is a great place. Individuals living with disabilities attend this program as a 4 year school…read more They learn how to be more independent by taking many classes. I have volunteered in their awesome kitchen and taught some crock pot cooking classes. There are many opportunities as a volunteer here. I have found it very rewarding. We have had just as much fun as the students!

"You don't know what you've gotten yourself into," smirked Nikki. "Once you walk through these…read moredoors, you can't stay away!" Four years ago, Nikki started StarfireU as a shy, silent 21-year-old. Today she enthusiastically led me on a tour of her school. StarfireU is a four-year college geared towards individuals with developmental disabilities. Their goal is to enrich lives through unlimited opportunities that build independence and community inclusion. Students have the opportunity to improve social skills, create art, photography, learn yoga, cook, and everything in between. Many go on to lead independent lives and become involved in the community. I sat in on a seminar where the Senior class discussed their capstone projects. Ideas ranged from documenting Cincinnati murals through photography, to fundraising for homeless advocates, to adapting a play from a favorite book. I was beyond impressed with the initiative and support within these classroom walls. StarfireU has been educating adults with disabilities since 1993. Over the years, it has grown from a single classroom to a state-of-the-art facility with computers, roundtable classrooms, and dry erase walls. They're always open to working with volunteers around the community, so if you're in need of a smile and a life-changing opportunity, get involved here!

Staff and resident contact I was lied on by a staff member I would say to have threatened him and I…read moredidn't. I was put out without a chance to explain or defend myself and so I have been homeless and yes, I believe I would have got housed if I was able to stay so staff and resident dialogue. De-escalation is very much needed.

Nasty and the people who cook in the kitchen doesn't wear hairnets and wears slip on shoes with…read moresocks and food is always cold.

Higher branches is a unique nonprofit located on Main Street in over the Rhine. I would call this…read moreplace a "green space "because of the nature of the Service they provide. Open at various times throughout the week, they offer a safe space for those who live on the streets, if you do not have a time of community to interact, receive and gain a listening ear they may not have anywhere else. I believe the space is about five years old now, and the recent addition of Wendy to the staff has been a huge benefit, there are programs offered all week long: A "spa "time for women on the weekends, A time of singing midweek, open prayer times, and overall a lot of love offered to those who need it mostin our city. Consider volunteering to help out with this ministry if you are looking for a way to "give back."

This is my alma mater. What to say about my high-school experience at MND? Well, first off, I'll…read moreadmit to being slightly negatively biased against the school because I was forced (thanks, mom and dad!) into attending the private, single-sex Catholic high-school after spending eight lovely years in the Lakota Public School system. There are just a few points I'd like to make about the school, faculty, and my own personal experiences as a "Cougar". First, MND is an all-girls school. For those not in the Cincy mindset, this is not at all rare. In fact, all but a few (two? three?) of the city's Catholic high-schools are single-sex, either male or female entirely. Supposedly many studies have shown that teaching high-school in a single-sex environment eliminates romantic distractions and stresses academic success instead of social success or popularity. I can't speak to the experience of all students, but personally, I found the female dominated environment at Mount Notre Dame to be both catty (what do you expect in a school full of emotionally unbalanced teenage girls?) and not at all conducive to my development as a normal, well-adjusted teenager. Honestly, girls are going to have to socialize with men for the rest of their lives...why not show them how in high-school instead of eliminating the boys entirely? Gender issue aside, the school building is mostly rundown...in a way that the administration would like you to believe is historically accurate and charming. I thought it was decrepit and full of asbestos (and it fact, it was, a major construction project went into place to eliminate the mold during my senior year). The one exception to this is the gymnasium, which was renovated the year before I started at the school. The cafeteria menu, at least as it stood when I graduated in 2005, was in need of a serious over-haul...I brown-bagged everyday for four years, it just looked that unappetizing and overly caloric. I know that cafeteria food doesn't speak volumes about education, but c'mon, look at my other reviews. I'm all about the food, baby. Faculty: basically awful with a (very) few outstanding exceptions. I got a lot of laughs from comparing my high school teacher's curriculums and credits to those of the teachers at the local public school. In my freshmen year "Honors English" class I was instructed to read Out of the Dust, a novel I had read in the fourth grade. I don't want to criticize the whole English department, though, as two of my favorite and most academically decorated high-school instructors (Mr. Tom Geier and Mrs. Julie Haggerty) call this department home. At MND the general rule is that there is one great teacher in each department, so if you send your daughter there, be sure to request them. History: Magnus, Foreign Language: Ortega, Religion: Grote, Science: Peppercorn. MND offers very few AP classes; I had little opportunity to earn college credits. One more note about MND-as with any other Catholic high-school, this place is after your wallet. The tuition is not as high as some comparable schools (UA) but those in charge of soliciting donations from fundraisers and alumni parties get an A + for their ability to guilt. Moral of the story: Save your money, go public. More AP's, better teachers (due to the drastic pay difference), and a better environment for kids to grow socially.

As an alumna of MND, I certainly come with a distinct perspective on the school. Of all the schools…read morein Cincinnati, and certainly of the private, all-girls school, I strongly believe that MND makes its mark as the most welcoming, open-armed school in the city. With diverse academic options, ranging from college prep to AP courses (and some offering college credit - I left MND with six college credits), every girl can personalize an academic career that is challenging and enjoyable. MND also has a great reputation as a sports powerhouse, but it doesn't limit its scope of extra-curriculars to athletics only. There is a very robust theater program, Model UN, academic teams, language clubs, volunteer groups, art classes...the list goes on. I can't speak highly enough of my educators at MND, and I made lifelong friends within the walls of the school. I would gladly recommend this high school to a young woman looking for a personalized education with room to grow and expand her education, interests and friendships.

The CityLink center on Bank St in the West End is the one stop in Cincinnati helping break the…read morecycle of poverty. The center has welcoming group of passionate volunteers who welcome you from the time you walk in throughout your entire visit. Their program works with individuals through 3 core services - Education, Employment and Financial Education providing them the skills in working with their resident partners Cincinnati Public Schools, Per Scholas, Cincinnati Works and SmartMoney. Stop by to check out what is happening at CityLink center, great place in our city!