SPRING NEWSLETTER
Welcome Yolanda!
We are excited to welcome Yolanda Hill to the WHRF team. She is joining us as our Community Food Champion! This is a part-time, grant funded position focused on food access. You'll see her around our Friday Food + Fun events and around various apartments as we work to set up systems that expand access to Healthy Harvest Mobile Market. From Yolanda:
"I am a Cincinnati native and 5-year resident of the Walnut Hills community. I love meeting new people and consider myself a lover of life. I earned a BFA in Visual Communications with an emphasis in Graphic Design from the Art Academy of Cincinnati and currently do contract work as an independent brand identity designer. I also have a background in film production and love capturing authentic moments using photography and video.

Accepting the role as Community Food Champion brings a level of excitement knowing that I can truly make a difference and bring hope in the lives of people who experience food insecurity. The WHRF has done a tremendous amount of work already in building a sustainable food system here and it is my hope that I can contribute in a meaningful way to develop innovative solutions to address the food needs of my neighborhood. Service to others using my gift and talents is my life’s focus and with this mindset, everything is possible."
A Major Win for The Alexandra
This month, WHRF played a part in helping 85 people keep their homes when The Alexandra was saved from foreclosure. We’re so grateful to be able to serve Walnut Hills and so proud of the Alexandra residents, who you can ALWAYS count on to step up. We’re also thankful to our partners – it took a big team and a united front to make this possible.

The Alexandra’s affordable housing status is protected for at least 13 years with an aspiration to make it 30 years! WHRF is now the owner of the building and The Model Group is the property manager. The team will work to get new funding so that The Alexandra can serve as quality, affordable housing for many more years to come. Stopping the foreclosure took over a year. Here’s a story from last year and the follow up here. Stay tuned for another WCPO article to be released on April 27th.

Photo Credit WCPO's Monique John
Food + Fun Fridays
We continue to host our Food + Fun Fridays at 954 E McMillan from 1-3pm. Thanks to all of our partners that help make this event happen! Stop by today!
Rent & Utility Assistance
The Hamilton County CARES Rent and Utility Relief Program draws on CARES Act funds to provide short-term assistance to renters who live in Hamilton County and can document income loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The County will pay up to 12 months for rent, rent arrears, and utilities for households at or below 80% of the Area Median Income.
Great American Cleanup
We had a fantastic Great American Clean Up in Walnut Hills thanks to Keep Cincinnati Beautiful, Cincinnati Community ToolBank, the hard-working students from University of Cincinnati's Clean Up Cincy, and Public Services at City Of Cincinnati Government. Shout out to organizers and leaders Fred Orth, Samir Kulkarni, Anne Leeman, Patrice, Derek Bauman, Gary Dangel, Ben Gammon, and our friends Robert & De' Juan from Equitas Health. The volunteers enjoyed delicious pizzas from Fireside Pizza. Thanks, Sam Dobrozsi!
New Neighbors
We have new neighbors in East Walnut Hills! Dentistry on Madison is open for business in the Rainbow Building at 1534 Madison.

Later this year, Hello Honey Ice Cream will join them right next door!
Get Involved
Walnut Hills Area Council
Be sure to check out the Walnut Hills Area Council (WHAC) Facebook page to get virtual event details including our monthly council meeting and all committee meetings!

All meetings are held on Thursday's at 6:30pm!
First Thursday - Planning & Development Committee
Second Thursday - General Body Meeting
Third Thursday - Housing Resources Committee
Fourth Thursday - Safety Committee
Get Involved with Transportation
There's a new transportation committee in the neighborhood! The Constellation: How we move, connect, and enjoy our neighborhood – Our Multi-Modal Approach to Walnut Hills

As I look to the sky, I see stars – lonely points that exist in suspended on what seems like map in the sky. How we choose to connect them is what gives them meaning and allows us to create mythical, epic stories. Those paths we draw when woven together, have allowed people to navigate oceans and travel great distances. As such, we need to connect the stars in our neighborhood with intention – to let people travel meaningfully within and through Walnut Hills. To craft the story we want to tell.

The Constellation Vision: Create nodes and paths in the neighborhood that fluidly and effectively engage all modes of transportation to benefit our businesses and residents. We want transportation to be seamless, safe, and integrated into how we move, connect, and enjoy Walnut Hills.
Mission: To develop a comprehensive Multi-Modal Transportation Plan that meets the needs of the businesses, residents, and visitors in Walnut Hills.

Committee Charge: Through this committee, we will investigate all forms of transportation, pedestrian, biking, auto, metro, and other, to determine the ideal way that they will interact with residents and businesses. Furthermore, the Constellation will prioritize the neighborhood’s transportation needs and work to execute these priorities.

This committee was formed by the Area Council, the Business Group, and the Redevelopment Foundation. If you're interested in getting involved reach out to the Business Group at [email protected]
Former Kroger Site Engagement
Model Group brought on Yard & Co and Kathy Atkinson to work on the former Kroger Site community engagement. After some initial planning done with the help of a neighborhood stakeholder advisory panel, the engagement process is launching on Monday!

The engagement will include a digital survey. You can find that here. Look out for the survey on social media and feel free to share. The team has hired community ambassadors, who will begin distributing paper surveys next week as well. Pop-up engagements will begin Monday, with the first event being held at the Dollar General on Taft from 1-3pm. Stay up to date on the engagement through the wearewalnuthills website.
Community Needs Health Survey
Participate in a community-wide health survey so providers can better understand your health concerns, challenges, and needs. It’s anonymous and you can enter a drawing for one of two $100 Amazon gift cards. Complete the survey by May 30, 2021.
Let Your Voice Be Heard! City Input for Stimulus Funds
City Council is seeking input for the $291 million in American Rescue Plan Funds. Attend a City Council Committee meeting or give your feedback on digital surveys.

Events
Friday Food + Fun (including Healthy Harvest Mobile Market)
Every Friday 1-3pm @ 954 E. McMillan St

Urban League Walk-In COVID Vaccines
Every Sunday from 11am - 2pm at 3458 Reading Road
Walk-Ins are Welcome or text “vaccine” to 797979 or visit bit.ly/communityvaccination  

Equitas Health Vaccine Info

Health Gap Health Expo & Vaccine Event
April 24th, 10am-4pm, wemustsaveus.com
You can call 211 for help with transportation and METRO will be free for #GetOuttheVax weekend
Green Man Twist Opening Day
May 1st, Open Thursday-Sunday from 3-10pm
Cincinnati's Inaugural Small Business Week
The week of May 3rd, look out for more details! Have an event this week? Send it our way!
Walnut Hills Area Council (WHAC) Planning Committee
May 6th, 6:30pm, via Zoom
Walnut Hills Area Council (WHAC)
May 13th, 6:30pm, via Zoom
Walnut Hills Business Group
May 20th, 9am via Zoom
Walnut Hills Area Council (WHAC) Housing Resources Committee
May 20th, 6:30pm, via Zoom
Walnut Hills Area Council (WHAC) Safety Committee
May 27th, 6:30pm, via Zoom

Food Forest - FREE Grocery Delivery - now with Produce Perks! SNAP/EBT accepted
Download the Food Forest online grocery ordering app at https://www.foodforest.app !

Walnut Hills Running Group
Every Wednesday at Esoteric Brewing at 6pm, visit the Facebook Group here

Walnut Hills Day Returning Soon!
Our regular "Walnut Hills Day" events at local businesses will return soon - stay tuned!

Be sure to stop in at the Walnut Hills Library to check out other neighborhood resources and events. Remember, while the branch is under renovation, you can visit the library at 961 E McMillan Street.

Don't see your event listed? Send it to [email protected]
Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation
513-593-9473
walnuthillsrf.org
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