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News to Feed Your Soul - 'It's either all of us or none of us'

Noodle

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Jun 19, 2001
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Lower Price Hill is a very poor neighborhood in Cincinnati--we're talking dirt poor. The median income if $9,600 per year. A lot of the residents are Appalachian, and it doesn't always get the same level of attention as other disadvantaged areas of town:

Nine days ago there was a story in the Cincinnati Enquirer about the Girl Scout Troop at the Oyler School in Lower Price Hill. A place where no one could remember the last time, if ever, that they even had a Girl Scout Troop:



As the after-school program at Oyler School wrapped up, a group of 13 girls gathered behind Stella Luggen and Sarah Groeschen at the door of Oyler School's cafeteria.



The girls, clad in pink puffy coats, Hello Kitty hats and furry boots, were as young as 6 and as old as 11.






With their small hands folded into one another's in friendship and for safety, they walked past black trash bags piled taller than they were. They walked across a broken-brick walkway. They walked past a silver, metal-perforated fence with R.I.P. Brian scrawled in black spray paint.

They didn't notice any of it. All they could think about was the Girl Scout meeting they were on their way to.


The girls wanted to go to summer camp, but the cost of $65 per girl was something none could afford. So they set out to sell 1500 boxes to raise enough money for the entire troop to go. They decided "It's either all of us or none of us."

You can read the original story here: http://cin.ci/1DQ4RGh

Nine days later, they have already sold 3,300 boxes: http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2015/02/14/thanks-readers-girl-scouts-going-camp/23367595/

And that's not even counting the donations they have received. Nor does it include several upcoming events, such as the upcoming "cash mob" organized for March 7 when they are selling cookies at the local Kroger: https://www.facebook.com/events/765452920174997

What a nice way to start my Monday morning on a cold snowy day here in Cincy. Feel pretty warm and toasty now.
 
Thanks for sharing and a question for you


You note that the area of Lower Price Hill doesn't always get the same level of attention as other disadvantaged areas of town. I was curios to know if there is a reason for the occasional disparity that you mention.
 
Re: Thanks for sharing and a question for you

I think there are a number of reasons, and keep in mind that my characterization is based on my own perception.

For example, it's a very small neighborhood bounded by a large hillside on its western edge, and old industrial areas north and east. It's also very insular. As the article linked below says, it's a lot like an Appalachian "holler."

Also, unlike many other low income neighborhoods in Cincinnati, I am not aware of any development going on in Lower Price Hill. Nor are there any pockets of upscale homes or apartments whatsoever. It's like a tiny island on the edge of downtown.

On the other hand, things really seem to be changing for the better, from within (with some focused help from outside). If you are interested in learning more about the area, I think you will find this article fascinating:

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2014/11/15/girls-of-lower-price-hill-cincinnati/18090143/





This post was edited on 2/17 1:07 AM by Noodle


This post was edited on 2/17 8:37 AM by Noodle
 
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