Agency News

Brighton Center Receives Grants Totaling $4,500 from Three Local Walmart Stores

Brighton Center Receives Grants Totaling $4,500 from Three Local Walmart Stores

(Newport, Kentucky – February 14, 2023) Brighton Center, Inc. has received grants from Walmart stores in Alexandria, Florence, and Fort Wright. Each local Walmart store chooses which organizations to fund with their Walmart Community Grant, and all three Northern Kentucky Walmart store managers have selected Brighton Center. These grants will help fund Brighton Center’s Emergency Assistance Food Pantry and Brighton Center’s Neighborhood Community Garden.

Brighton Center Receives $5,000 Grant from The Papa John’s Foundation for Building Community

Brighton Center Receives $5,000 Grant from The Papa John’s Foundation for Building Community

(Newport, Kentucky – February 14, 2023) Brighton Center’s Youth Leadership Development has received a grant for $5,000 from The Papa John’s Foundation for Building Community.

Youth Leadership Development is an after-school program for middle school youth ages 11-15 to build leadership skills and conduct community service projects in order to empower youth to make a difference in their own lives and develop to their fullest potential. Youth who are not already involved in positive after-school activities are recruited to join Youth Leadership Development through their schools.

Brighton Center Receives $250,000 Donation from Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation

Brighton Center Receives $250,000 Donation from Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation to Assist Displaced Residents in Newport and Covington

(Newport, Kentucky – February 14, 2023) Brighton Center, Inc. received a donation from Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation to assist displaced residents in Newport and Covington. Brighton Center, along with several other local Safety Net Alliance of Northern Kentucky provider agencies, has been assisting families who have been displaced from their homes to navigate their sudden need for relocation. Families that are displaced do not have the disposable income to cover unplanned moving expenses as they are often living paycheck to paycheck.

Residents at Victoria Square Apartments, one of Newport’s last housing communities with affordable rates, were given notices to vacate this summer, with very little time to identify alternate housing. Current residents, many of whom have called Victoria Square home for decades, have been unable to find nearby housing, and when they do it is close to double what they were currently paying. With the recent closure of City Heights in Covington, the area has experienced an increase in individuals being displaced with nowhere to turn. Within the past year, Northern Kentucky has lost more than 800 housing units that are affordable and attainable for working families.

Volunteers Needed: Support Newport K-12 Youth

Brighton Center is in need of Education Advocacy Volunteers through our Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)! Volunteers help students in grades K-12. Please contact Erin Moran at emoran@brightoncenter.com or (859) 491-8303 ext. 2340 for more information. 

Recent Grant Awards

We want to take the opportunity to thank all of the funders who awarded Brighton Center grants in December. Grants are an important part of how we provide programs to the community, launch new initiatives, and respond to the changing needs of those we serve. 

December Grants

Aldi Community Cares - Supports the Food Pantry.

Boone County Capital Project Fund - Funding for outdoor improvements at Brighton Recovery Center for Women.

Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) - provides funding for individual financial coaching and group education workshops around homeownership.

Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) - Funds to purchase food and provide meals to youth at Homeward Bound Shelter.

L & L Nippert Charitable Foundation - Support for Opportunity House.

Boone County Fiscal Court, Early Childhood Education Fund - continued funding to provide the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngers (HIPPY) Program in Boone County.

Walmart (Fort Wright, Florence, and Alexandria) - Funding for Emergency Assistance services and the Community Garden

Ellen Bates Promoted to Vice President

We are happy to share that Ellen Bates has been promoted to Vice President. She will join our Executive Leadership Team of Wonda Winkler (President & CEO), Melissa Hall Sommer (Senior Vice President), and June Miller (Chief Financial & Administrative Officer). Ellen brings with her 10 years of experience at the Center. Congratulations on your new role Ellen!

Ellen began her career at Brighton Center in 2013 as a Workforce Development Specialist, and for most of her tenure, she has led at the Director level at the Kentucky Career Center, Workforce Development, and recently in Housing and Financial Wellness. She is deeply passionate about our mission and will complement our Executive Leadership Team in many ways.

"I am grateful and humbled to work for this amazing organization. Over the years, I have seen the incredible impact that Brighton Center has in the lives of individuals and families in our community. Brighton Center has invested in me just as we have invested in those we serve. I look forward to the future and am excited to see our customers and our community grow," said Ellen Bates

VITA Program In Need of Volunteers!

The 2024 tax season commences at the end of January, and Brighton Center, in partnership with United Way of Greater Cincinnati, needs your help! Not a tax expert? No problem! There are volunteer roles for all interests from customer service to administrative support or providing families with certified tax preparation services. Training and ongoing support are provided for each volunteer role. 

Northern Kentucky, and Our Region, Loses a Respected Community Leader and Fierce Advocate for Families

(Newport, Kentucky – October 24, 2022) It is with great sadness that Brighton Center shares the sudden and unexpected passing of Vice President Talia Frye on October 20, 2022. She was a leader, role model, mentor, and friend to all. 

JPMorgan Chase Invests $500,000 in Google Career Certificates Program