Women Helping Women Honors Five for Volunteer Efforts and Support

Four individuals and one organization were honored during the 2012 Women Helping Women (WHW) Annual Meeting held November 15th at the Cincinnati Club.  Each year, WHW selects those who have made significant contributions to the agency’s mission and recognizes them at this yearly event attended by WHW staff, board members, volunteers and community supporters.

Honored for their efforts include:

Janet Wylie – recipient of the Direct Service Volunteer Award, which recognizes a volunteer who exemplifies dedication to Women Helping Women and the survivors it serves.  Wylie, of Mariemont, became a WHW volunteer in October 2011 and has already contributed more than 200 service hours.  She has volunteered weekly for court advocacy, has filled in on the hotlines and provides childcare during one of the  agency’s support groups.  She also co-facilitates the Teen Dating Violence Prevention Program.  Wylie became a WHW volunteer after retiring from a professorship at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.

Lt. Joseph Macaluso and Police Specialilst Kimetha Moreno – recipients of the Thomas R. Oberschmidt Award, named for Cincinnati Police Department Lt. Oberschmidt and which recognizes individual police officers for their sensitivity to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence and excellence in investigating these crimes.  Lt. Joseph Macaluso has served with the Delhi Township Police Department since 1994.  He is known as being thorough, caring and compassionate in his investigations, showing the utmost professionalism and attention to detail.  He was nominated and praised by victim advocates, county prosecutors, investigators and social workers alike.  Along with his family, he participates in many charitable activities throughout the area.

Police Specialist Kimetha Moreno has served in law enforcement for 31 years, and currently serves as the Domestic Violence Investigator for District 4 of the Cincinnati Police Department.  Her co-workers see her as someone who goes above and beyond, exemplifying what a detective should be when dealing with sensitive crimes.  She is committed to helping people through the entire court process and encourages survivors to have a voice.  Specialist Moreno has a passion for outreach and is always willing to work closely with WHW’s law enforcement advocates on new projects and events.

The Elements Conference and Event Centre – recipient of the Maria C. Blake Community Service Award – named in honor of Clinical Psychologist Maria C. Blake, PhD and which recognizes an individual from the Greater Cincinnati community who has consistently and compassionately promoted the mission of Women Helping Women.  Jay and Nidhi Bedi of the Elements Conference and Event Centre have provided generous contributions to WHW over the past two years.  This includes opening their facility at no cost and providing wonderful staff support and auction items for WHW’s spring fundraiser, Light Up the Night.  They are committed to helping non-profit causes, which even inspires them to donate two percent of their event profits to charities of their clients’ choice.

Susan Marmo – recipient of the Janet S. Klaine Philanthropy Award - named in memory of Janet S. Klaine who supported the agency and its mission for more than 20 years and who was dedicated to ensuring the agency would have the necessary resources to be able to serve its clients.  Marmo, of Wyoming, has generously supported WHW as a major donor since 2008.  She shared that in 2001, WHW helped give her the practical tools she needed to leave an abusive relationship.  In the 10 plus years since, she has tried to repay the favor.  Her support goes a long way to ensuring that WHW’s “toolbox” continues to be available to anyone in need.

“The individuals we recognize this year show how personal contributions and compassion can can make a true difference in our communities,” said Kendall Fisher, WHW executive director.  ”We are thankful for these significant contributions to Women Helping Women and glad to have the chance to honor them tonight.”

Women Helping Women is a 501(c)3 organization founded in 1973 to serve women and men who are survivors of domestic abuse, sexual assault and stalking in Southwestern Ohio.  The agency provides crisis intervention services including hotline, hospital accompaniment, court advocacy, support groups and face-to-face advocacy for abuse survivors and also conducts training and education in the community to increase awareness of these crimes and aid in their prevention.