1. Be Informed
Across this country affordable and transitional housing saves lives by providing many people with the opportunity to succeed and live the fulfilling lives they deserve. Sadly, affordable housing is under an increasing attack and is at an all-time high in Cincinnati, Ohio. There are many examples from around the country, but chief among them is the attack on the Anna Louise Inn (ALI).
In 1909, the former mayor of Cincinnati and son of President William Howard Taft, Charles P. Taft, built and donated the ALI to Cincinnati Union Bethel (CUB) to provide affordable housing to women in need. CUB has worked to keep this great service to our community running. They received funds to renovate the home, but corporate greed is not only putting the home's plans for the future in jeopardy, but it's very existence.
Western and Southern (W&S), the very large and very wealthy national insurance company, has their headquarters near the ALI. W&S decided that they do not want the women who live at the ALI to live near their offices anymore, and in fact W&S wants to take over the building in order to build luxury condominiums and play areas for the wealthy. They have launched a campaign to oust the ALI on the misguided notion that women with very low incomes are dangerous and bad for business. W&S went as far as to sue CUB and the municipal government in attempt to run out the clock on the tax credits issued to the ALI.
W&S has championed itself as a corporate leader in Cincinnati and this county, but has acted to divide the city. We have to send a message to W&S: women and affordable housing are valuable and contribute to our society and should not be pushed to the fringes. W&S must stop bullying the ALI!
Listen to What Others are Saying
Hear the voices of support from people like you:
"Be a good corporate citizen. Support the Anna Louise Inn!"
"These women have strong hearts and beautiful souls. Please support them."
"Please let the Anna Louise Inn continue its mission."
"John Barret, open your heart to the women and do the just and kind act. Let Anna Louise Inn live!"
"Profit should not be more important than people."
"Do the right thing! Let the women stay!"
"Don’t kick people out of their homes."
"Let the women stay."
"My prayer is that you will follow your heart and love for your fellow man."
"It’s never too late to do the right thing. I believe you will do the right thing."
"Let the women stay."
"May your heart be softened to recognize where real compassion is. Please desist from suing Anna Louise Inn."
"Leave the legacy President Taft left behind! Help the women of Cinti have this place to regain their life back. Please make the moral and right choice to value the women at Anna Louise Inn. Make the choice of caring for our community."
"Please do the right thing and let the ministry to the women continue in their current home."
"Do the right thing."
"Please listen to history: 100+ years of serving women of Cincinnati who helped grow the Queen City."
"Blessings to you and thank you for considering our request."
"Anna Louise Inn is important to our community. We will not stop fighting for it."
"Your actions prove all the worst of big business. Bad publicity is not a good idea for Western and Southern."
"Isaiah 41"
"Please reconsider your stance."
"The Inn has been our neighbor for over 100 years. They belong where they’ve been."
"Don’t exploit the needy."
"Please stop harassing the most vulnerable among us."
"ALI performs a valuable role in our city and needs to stay where it is."
"Please consider your decision. Bless you."
"I support the Inn! W & S do the right thing."
"I will pray that you will make the right choice."
"A camel has a better chance of passing thru an eye of a needle than your actions have of securing a seat in heaven."
"Everyone deserves a home. Anna Louise Inn already does provide affordable housing. Let them continue. I pray that your heart is opened."
"Being powerful does not mean you are right."
"I have lived in Cincinnati my entire life. Your actions against the inn are despicable. Acting this way is bad for Cincinnati. If your sister, daughter, aunt, or mother was out of resources, you could support them. For these women at ALI, their home is their only support. Do not take that away from them."
"Please don’t make our neighbors move."
"Mr. John Barrett would you please find the kindness in your heart not to leave these women homeless."
"It’s up to you! Your reputation is all you have – for the rest of your life."
"Let the women stay! We want them to stay."
"Mary and Joseph weren’t able to stay at the inn-where is there a manger big enough for the women of the Anna Louise Inn?"
"The women of Anna Louise Inn are important members of our community. They deserve to have a decent and safe place to live."
"Your actions so far give Cincinnati a bad reputation. Align your decision with your other civic and charitable efforts."
"Please be a good corporate neighbor. Support the people of Cincinnati."
"As a human being do the right thing. Relinquish power for mercy."
"When W & S does so much good how can you do something this bad to Anna Louise Inn."
"Please stop and think about how harsh and unjust your actions are."
"Let the women stay."
"Ask yourselves: Why are we doing this, how is this helping Cincinnati? What model are you providing? How does this fit in with your Christmas message?"
"Economic diversity strengthens our city and neighborhoods! Please do the right thing."
"This reflects poorly on W & S."
"Please respect the dignity of the women served by the Anna Louise Inn. Please respect the property rights of Cincinnati Union Bethel."
"Listen to the people. They are saying don’t. Don’t!"
"It is vital for a city to provide a broad choice of affordable housing for women."
"More affordable housing is needed! Leave the Anna Louise Inn alone – help provide more housing."
"Do the right thing!!"
"From a practical perspective your P.R. is going to take a long time to recover."
"What profit it a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?"
"We are praying for you and hope that you will realize the importance of supporting the inn. I’m sure someone has helped you in a time of need. Now it is your time to help others in need. Peace to you."
"Stop bullying or we’ll stop you."
"Please let the women stay!"
"Kindness is so much more productive than greed."
"Please! Make your legacy to your family – for generations – be one of consideration and compassion for women who have not had the opportunities you were born with. The Anna Louise Inn is a major asset to this location and to your business. It takes a great man to admit his mistake and to correct himself. Be that great man."
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These voices of support come from the many individuals like you. Please consider voicing yours as well.
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