Cincy nonprofit organization provides housing and recovery solutions for women

CINCINNATI — For local nonprofit Cincinnati HER, the focus is on hair. The group helps all women – from single mothers to women who have survived violent situations.

“HER stands for housing, education and recovery services,” said CEO Beth Schwartz. “And we serve women, so our name reflects what we do and who we serve.”

HER leaders, the women who use their services and their friends and family gathered Thursday at the Graduate Hotel to celebrate the graduation of women who are part of HER’s Off the Streets program.

“Off the Streets is a 24-bed shelter for women who have survived human trafficking and similar traumas. We offer addiction treatment services in that setting,” Schwartz said.

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Because of the trauma many of them have faced, and fear for their safety, the women graduates did not want to appear on camera. However, HER Cincinnati board member, Faith Tupman, shared how she has seen this program change the lives of these women.

“To be able to help women get to a place where they build confidence in their ability to invest in themselves is something I’ve witnessed through the experiences I’ve had off the street,” Tupman said.

She added that the program is the reason she joined HER Cincinnati.

But HER Cincinnati offers more programs than Off the Streets, all of which strive to provide solutions to the women who walk through their doors.

“Our mission is to break the cycles of poverty, addiction and human trafficking, and to do that we provide three services: housing, education and recovery services,” Schwartz said.

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Housing is provided by the Anna Louise Inn, an 85-unit apartment complex for single women with support services. Education is provided through the Cincinnati Scholar House, affordable housing for single parents in college with wrap-around services to ensure they can graduate and succeed. Recovery takes place through the Off the Streets program.

If you would like to volunteer, donate or need help from HER Cincinnati, you can visit their website here.