Northern Kentucky Scholar House, an innovative solution for single parents looking to establish the job skills necessary to succeed in the professional world, has won a major national award.
Steve Charleston, (HCD Division Director, State of Nebraska, COSCDA Board President), Travis Weber (Kentucky Department for Local Government), Tom Guidugli (Neighborhood Foundations), Dennis Elrod (Atkins + Elrod Associates), at the October 13 awards ceremony in Savannah, Georgia (provided photo).
The Northern Kentucky Scholar House received The President’s Award for Innovation from the Council of State Community Development Agencies (COSCDA). The award recognizes innovative activities, policies or programs that have been implemented at the state level and which have demonstrated success in solving community needs.
The Northern Kentucky Scholar House is the first project or program in the state of Kentucky to win the prestigious award.
“We are proud to receive this award and for the well-deserved recognition of The Northern Kentucky Scholar House,” said Newport Neighborhood Foundations Executive Director Tom Guidugli Sr. “But we are even prouder of providing affordable housing options and early childhood development resources. The impact is not only limited to the residents at the campus but to residents of the community.”
Newport Neighborhood Foundations partnered with the Brighton Center, a Newport-based social service agency, and the Model Group, a property development and management company based in Cincinnati, to develop the Northern Kentucky Scholar House.
Located at 430 W. Sixth St., the Northern Kentucky Scholar House opened in the summer of 2015. It provides the support necessary for low-income single parents to complete their college education, which leads to educational success, employment and self-sufficiency.
At the same time, their children are enrolled in Early Scholars Child Center, which provides high quality care to children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old. In addition, 48 two- and three-bedroom apartments and an on-site Child Development Center are available.
Education institutions – including Northern Kentucky University and Gateway Community and Technical College – have endorsed The Northern Kentucky Scholar House and provide academic support to the single parents enrolled in the program.
Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds were limited to the construction of the early childhood center, which is connected to the existing onsite community center and shares the adjoining kitchen, cafeteria, gymnasium, and meeting rooms.
The early childhood center contains five classrooms, a storage facility, and additional counseling rooms. Although initially intended to just serve preschool-aged children, the early childhood center chose to implement programs for children aged up to 12 years old meeting the needs of residential parents.
Newport City officials praised the project and the recognition it has received.
“This is another example of the type of success and leadership we’ve witnessed since Tom Guidugli Sr. took over Neighborhood Foundations,” said Newport City Commissioner John Hayden. “Our community is better off for it.”
For more information on the award click here.
Northern Kentucky Scholar House
