Terry

Sitting in CEO, Bob Brewster’s office in 1995, I fell in love with Brighton Center’s mission during my first sales call.  

“I didn’t know there were people out there like you!” was Bob’s comment to me. I will never forget that inspirational comment. Brighton Center became our first client.

And thus began a twenty-two year relationship between Just The Basics® and Brighton Center. We have and do serve as a guide and business partner. The relationship has survived a change in CEO’s for both organizations– Tammy Wiedinger at Brighton Center and Linda S. Gravett, PhD at Just The Basics®. The relationship stands because the mission and values of both organizations remain constant, and in sync with one another.

During the past two plus decades, I watched a senior executive grow from a young first-time supervisor into a brilliant leader for both Brighton Center and the community. For three years, under the leadership of CEO, Tammy Wiedinger, our company worked with Brighton Center in a collaborative project for the United Way of Greater Cincinnati. Tammy treated us like true partners rather than sub-contractors.

I could go on and on, but I will leave you with my favorite Brighton Center story:

One day at Brighton Center I was sharing my passion for the Urban Learning Center and its underserved population of parents who lack the resources to attend college and improve their economic situation.* I’m sure you know that social workers are not known for making scads of money, quite the opposite. Therefore, it was a big surprise when I received a one dollar bill in the mail from a Brighton Center’s social worker. That was the most heart-warming gift I received for the Urban Learning Center’s million-dollar campaign.

That social worker represents the commitment and attitude of “a community of service.”  

The staff at Brighton Center offer hope and tools to make dreams come true. Importantly, they deliver them with the caring touch that means so much.  

I am grateful for Brighton Center – knowing that our community members are well-served, and that because Brighton Center functions as the heart of our community they create a better Northern Kentucky community.  

Sincerely,

Terri Bonar-Stewart

Terri Bonar-Stewart, retired CEO and occasional coach. Just The Basics® is a human resource and management consulting firm, focusing exclusively on nonprofits and small businesses.

*Brighton Center now serves these parents and children in their quest for continued education. (When the parent achieves higher education, the research shows, their children are more likely to achieve higher levels of education.)