Cincinnati Children’s a Long-Time Avondale Champion
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center is a world leader in improving child health. But it’s impact is just as important in Avondale.
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center standing as one of our region’s key institutions is probably well known to you. Established in 1883, Cincinnati Children’s is a full-service, nonprofit pediatric academic medical center and comprises the Department of Pediatrics of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. It is ranked number three in the nation in the U.S. News and World Report’s 2020-21 Best Children’s Hospital List and is in the top three nationally in National Institutes of Health grants and funding for pediatrics.
Perhaps less well known – but equally important – is the impact Cincinnati Children’s has in the Avondale neighborhood it calls home. That impact is broad, deep and mission-focused.
“We’re focused on partnerships and investments that promote child and community health in Avondale,” said Dr. Monica Mitchell, who as Senior Director of Community Relations guides the hospital’s outreach, volunteerism, community investment and sponsorships and fosters workforce development. Dr. Mitchell is also Professor of Pediatrics within the Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology at Cincinnati Children's.
Cincinnati Children’s supports virtually every organization in the neighborhood. That includes Rockdale Elementary and South Avondale Elementary School, the Urban League, Center for Closing the Health Gap, Hirsch Recreation Center, Gabrielle’s Place, Boys & Girls Club, various faith-based organizations and daycare centers and three health centers. The hospital is also deeply involved with the Avondale Community Council and The Community Builders.
Cincinnati Children’s is a valuable partner to the Avondale Development Corporation as well. “With ADC, our focus is on projects and support to improve housing and safety and provide a healthy environment for children and families,” said Dr. Mitchell, who has served on the ADC Board of Trustees since 2011.
Cincinnati Children’s provides funding for the Avondale Home Improvement Program. Administered by ADC, AHIP offers forgivable loans to Avondale residents to make home repairs for problems that can compromise the health and safety of residents. AHIP, which has helped more than 30 homeowners, is embarking on its fourth phase.
The Avondale Property Enhancement Program is another ADC initiative supported by Cincinnati Children’s. APEP is a matching grant program that has helped more than 50 Avondale homeowners fix problems for which they have been cited by the City of Cincinnati.
Cincinnati Children’s worked with ADC to produce the Quality of Life plan – the official master plan for Avondale. Two years in the making and enjoying broad community involvement and support, the QOL plan has been unanimously approved by the Avondale Community Council, the City of Cincinnati Planning Commission and Cincinnati City Council. It is Avondale’s map to manage growth in the City’s hottest neighborhood to the benefit of existing residents and businesses and those who choose to be located here.
Cincinnati Children’s partners with ADC on affordable and workforce housing projects, community safety projects like ADC’s Pitching for Peace community softball game and resource fair, Avondale’s annual health fair, home safety kit installations, and a variety of other efforts that have benefited the community.
“Cincinnati Children’s has been and continues to be an immensely important asset for Avondale and ADC,” said ADC Executive Director Russell Hairston. “In ways large and small, the hospital fuels our continued growth and revitalization.”
“There are tremendous assets in and around Avondale, from Cincinnati Children’s and the Cincinnati Zoo to the University of Cincinnati, University Hospital, churches, parks and schools,” said Dr. Mitchell. “But what makes Avondale unique is the great people, and they’re committed to their neighborhood. We’re proud to call Avondale home, and proud to do our part to support it.”