By Anna Henman
NKyTribune Correspondent
There are few institutions as well established in Northern Kentucky as the Brighton Center.
Founded in 1966 as the Brighton Street Center, the Brighton Center offers a variety of programs to the citizens of Northern Kentucky, serving 84,934 people in 2014 through 39 programs offering support in areas like early childhood education, workforce development, and substance abuse recovery.
“We’ve always used a community assessment process to define what the residents think we should be doing based on their hopes and dreams for themselves, their children and their community,” said Tammy Weidinger, Brighton Center President and CEO since 2011. “This has kept us focused on our customer and the relationships necessary to make real community change.”
In this spirit, The Brighton Center is currently accepting applications for a new initiative, the Northern Kentucky Scholar House, a program that connects single parents, who are students, to educational opportunities while also providing housing, child care support, tutoring and counseling.
The house is a partnership project that will provide the support necessary for low-income single parents to complete their college degree program leading to educational success, long-term employment and an ultimate goal of self-sufficiency.
To qualify, applicants must be a single parent at least 18 years old, have primary custody of their children and be a fulltime student at Northern Kentucky University, Gateway Technical and Community College or Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, all of whom partner with Brighton Center on the initiative. Housing Authority of Newport will manage the 48 two- and three-bedroom apartments, under construction at 450 West Sixth Street in Newport.
Other partners include the Kentucky Housing Authority, HeadStart, LISC and local high schools.
The center offers opportunities like job readiness skills and financial education, with specific programs offered based on the individual needs of each participant. The parent-students must attend life skills workshops and monthly meetings with a case manager.
Scholar House not only works with parents but also their children, starting as young as six weeks old, who participate in the Scholar House Child Development Center to ensure their successful development as well.
Ultimately, the goal is for each parent to find independent housing within three months of graduating with a 2- or 4-year degree.
“I believe this is a wonderful opportunity for single parents to pursue their education, leading to a degree and good job. At the same time, their children will be learning and thriving in a high quality environment. We are thrilled to be a partner in this transformational program,” says Weidinger.
Applications are currently being accepted for the Scholar House program, which will begin in August 2015.
For additional information or to attend an information session, contact Beth Schweinzger at 859-581-2533, Ext. 207. To learn more about the work of the Brighton Center, visit www.brightoncenter.org
Anna Hehman is a Northern Kentuckian and sequins enthusiast who has spent the last eight years working in fundraising for several local non profit organizations. She is also an artist with a side business hand-drawing designs which she makes into fabric, then sews accessories. Her work can be found at www.etsy.com/shop/annamariapatterns.