Ginny Receives Leadership Award

Amethyst CEO, Ginny O'Keeffe, was awarded the Women's Leadership Award and the Ohio Women's Symposium 2010 in May. Her work on the state and national level has been recognized by many, and the OWN recognized her contributions to the field of women's gender-specific programming. She exemplifies a strong committment to empower women, continually working to change lives through building a community of support and connection.

Margo Spence was recognized for her leadership of the Ohio Women's Network. She remained President of OWN for a number of years, seeing it through its middle period of development, achieving both programming noteriety, expanding its membership and the development and completion of its tax-exempt status.

Giny and Margo are members of the Ohio Alliance of Recovery Providers.

Congratulations, Ginny and Margo

Mandy McGlone of Amethyst is Forty Under 40 Nominee

Mandy McGlone, Director of Administrative Services for Amethyst, Inc. named one of Business First's Forty Under 40.

Mandy began working for Amethyst in 1997 as Client Services Director. Her long list of impressive accomplishments includes the development and implementation of SummerQuest (an intervention summer camp for kids), she serves MOMM board of directors and fund raises for Franconia Anemia. If that wasn't enough, she balances a successful family life with her husband and three children.

Congratulations Mandy!

Read the Business First interview with Mandy McGlone or check out other nominees!

Amethyst Client discusses "New Drug" with 10TV News!

Check out the video above of Amethyst client, Chanyta, interviewed by 10TV News!

WOCC Beautifies Amethyst Apartments

The women of the WOCC, Women of Color Connection at Chase, truly understand the importance of having a place to live that you can be proud of-- they understand how to make a house a home.

Previously, these ladies took it upon themselves to furnish and decorate an entire apartment for a family at Amethyst. The ladies worked hard to secure some additional funding and then asked Amethyst, "How else can we help?" The women were asked to roll up their sleeves and help plant, mulch and beautify one of the apartment buildings that was in need of some care. They took on the challenge with energy and smiles, realizing how important it is to have a home you can be proud of and care about. The women gave up hours and hours of free time to plan and design the new courtyard of the apartments. They met at 8:00 a.m on a Saturday morning to lay mulch, plant and pull weeds.

Thanks to the ladies of the WOCC the women of Amethyst have a more beautiful space to come home to! Click here to see a slideshow of pictures from the project!

Special thanks to:

Linda Alexander
Aureus Griffith
Kristie Hollinger

Join the Mission! SummerQuest 2010

Operating June-August, SummerQuest is a nationally acclaimed 12-week intervention day camp for children ages 6-14, whose mothers are involved in the long-term treatment program at Amethyst, Inc.

This year, the fund raising goal for SummerQuest is $20,000. We still have a long way to go and need your help to reach the goal and secure a summer of fun and learning for the children of Amethyst.

If everyone who receives Amethyst Connections donates just $5 to SummerQuest-- we would have more than enough to send one kid to camp for the whole summer!!! You can make a difference in the lives of children in Columbus.

• Just $50 sends one kid to camp for one day
• $250 can send one child to camp for one week
• $1000 can send one child to camp for one month
• $3000 can send one child to camp for the entire summer!

Special Thanks!

This year Zonta, an international women's service group, contributed over $250 worth of new supplies for camp. Thanks to these generous ladies the kids had new water toys, balls and toys to play with at camp this year. Thanks to all the ladies of Zonta for their contribution!

To get involved with SummerQuest, this year or in the future, contact Development. Or visit http://www.ilovesummerquest.org/ to make a donation today and learn more about SummerQuest programming and impact.

Jefferson Open House

Cindy Tondee, walked to the podium Monday, June 21 at the 50 Jefferson apartments open house to a standing ovation. Tondee who is a resident of the new apartments, spoke about what this apartment means to her and her daughters and how much Amethyst has done for her.

Amethyst, The Community Housing Network, and The Jefferson Center for Learning and the Arts worked together to build 39 new apartments for clients of Amethyst and their children.

Amethyst CEO, Ginny O'Keeffe, spoke at the open house about the beautiful new apartments and how they will benefit the women and families living in them. The program also featured speeches from partnering companies and organizations as well as Franklin County Commissioner, John O'Grady.

Before the program there was a children's fair with games and prizes for the kids who have mother's going through treatment. There was also a community fair for organizations located around the new Jefferson apartments that could offer the women services throughout their recovery, such as Columbus State Community College.

After the program there was an opportunity for guests to tour the new apartments. The tour consisted of seeing several different apartments as well as the communal spaces for all of the women and children living in them. The basement area of the building provided two different rooms for the kids to play and study along with a laundry room and computer lab.

To read more about the Jefferson apartments open house visit The Columbus Dispatch at www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/06/22/addicts-find-homes-filled-with-hope.html?sid=101

Awards All around at Amethyst

The Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing (OCCH) hosted close to 600 affordable housing partners at its annual Partner Luncheon May 27th at the Columbus Renaissance Hotel.

The Partner Luncheon recognizes the many investors, developers, leaders, management companies, nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations, and government entities that partner with OCCH in the development of and commitment to affordable housing in Ohio.

Amethyst was honored for Excellence in Permanent Supportive Housing to Jefferson Apartments in Columbus, Ohio. Partners recognized in the project include Community Housing Network, Inc.; Amethyst, Incorporated; Jefferson Center for Learning and the Arts; MCR Services; and Urban Order Architects, Inc.

This honor came for the 39 new, beautiful apartment units. To read more about this collaboration, click here.

Other way Amethyst has been recognized this year:

• Mandy McGlone, Director of Administrative Services receives Business First Forty Under 40.



• CEO, Ginny O'Keeffe, was awarded the Women's Leadership Award.



• Amethyst was CARF accredited.



• Amethyst case managers Tina Newsome and Adele Moore were honored at 2009 ADAMH meeting. Tina won the Randall M. Dana Award and Adele received the William B. George Memorial Award.

Columbus OB/GYN Host Event That Benefits Amethyst

Special thank you to Dr. Erin Olah and all of the physicians, nurses, and staff of Columbus OB/GYN! The silent auction proceeds from their annual event will help many women and families in recovery at Amethyst.

If you would like to get your organization, club, group, or corporation together to help our women and families in need, we would love to have you! Please contact the Amethyst Development Office at (614) 242-1284, ext. 115 or lnickell@amethyst-inc.org.

Soroptimists Honor Amethyst's Mission

"Soroptimists inspire action and create opportunities to transform the lives of women and girls by: advocating for equity and equality; creating safe and healthy environments; increasing access to education; developing leadership and practical skills for a sustainable future."

This statement came to life when a group of dedicated volunteers put together "Welcome Baskets" containing household supplies and personal items. Each basket thoughtfully filled with everything a woman would need for a fresh start (literally and figuratively!), these baskets show Amethyst women that the community is supporting and encouraging their recovery.

This May, to raise funds for service projects like this, the Soroptimist International hosted a Lunch at Tiffany's & Style Show. Amethyst was invited to sit a "Table of Honor" during this fabulous luncheon event. Each organization honored had the opportunity to share more about their program and personally thank the Soroptimist for their commitment to the women and families in recovery. The event was a huge success and wonderful opportunity to share Amethyst's mission!

If you would like to get your organization, club, group, or corporation together to help our women and families in need, we would love to have you! Please contact the Amethyst Development Office at (614) 242-1284, ext. 115 or lnickell@amethyst-inc.org.

The Nationwide Children's Hospital Invitational

The Nationwide Children's Hospital Invitational will seek to make an impact on Central Ohio and charities, including Amethyst, again this year at The Ohio Univeristy Golf Club, Scarlet Course on July 22-25. This year will be the Invitational's fourth season and will include many up-and-coming golf professionals and exceptional collegiate talent.

For every ticket purchased, 100% of the ticket price will go back to a non-profit organization.

If you would like to purchase a ticket to benefit Amethyst, call Lisa Johnson at 614.339.1043, e-mail lnickell@amethyst-inc.org for a ticket order form or visit http://www.nchigolf.com/ to order online. An all-week access pass costs only $30 and a single day entry is $10. Don't forget to designate Amethyst as your non-profit.

For more information about the Nationwide Children's Hospital Invitational visit http://www.nchigolf.com/.