Why even care about a Foundation in Walnut Hills?

"Why even care about a Foundation in Walnut Hills?"
- It seems like a good question at face value.

"I mean really, foundations just donate dollars to kids and stuff ...right?"
- Umm... let's stop there.

A few days ago, we announced we'd be collaborating with the Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation in 2015. We thought it would stir up a little more excitement, but then a conversation with the WHRF events coordinator was recalled. Just weeks ago, she mention something to the tune of "We're not even really a 'foundation' in the typical sense, which confuses a lot of people when they see our name."

So, who and/or what is Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation?
- As their website notes:

• We are the community development corporation serving Walnut Hills and East Walnut Hills.  We believe a quality physical place is a driver of a healthy, safe, thriving community. So, we work to improve the physical environment of our neighborhoods.

But let's look a little deeper...

• This is a group serving a community that is over 65% minority, with half of the population living under the poverty line.
• This is a team of men, woman, minorities and majorities, working together to bring positive change to their community.
• This an organization that is literally transforming their neighborhood(s) for the better, by rehabbing buildings, hosting community conversations and organizing family-friendly events.
• This is a team that's helping positive businesses open brick & mortar locations for their community.
• This is a group of artistic thinkers putting their time to good us.

This is why we hope more folks will get excited about our plans to collaborate on 2015!


Cincinnati Street Food Festival 2014 from Walnut Hills Redevelopment on Vimeo.

Truth be told, we're not exactly sure what our 2015 collaboration will look like yet. But as an organization that shares many of our same views, we only know it'll be designed for the people of the neighborhood, as well as those who may want to check out something new from outside of the neighborhood. And as demonstrated above, if you watched the video, we're especially proud to be partnering with an organization that embraces the diversity of their neighborhood.

That said, please stay tuned for more updates on this collaboration. But if you want to take it on yourself to learn a little more about this group, please follow some of the links below:

+ Like their Facebook page
+ Follow their Twitter account
+ Share your ideas for their new park
+ Sign up for emails on their website 

And please, if you want to help us spread the word, share this post on your favorite social media platform with the hashtag #TogetherWeGrow ...and let everyone know we — PAR-Projects — have lined up a number of exciting collaborations for 2105!


Thanks again for staying tuned,
Team PAR