👋 GOOD MORNING, CINCY
Big things don't always start with big plans. Sometimes they start with someone noticing a need and deciding to do something about it.
This week, we're highlighting a few Cincinnati neighbors who are turning simple acts of kindness, creativity, and generosity into something much bigger. A good reminder that making our city better is something we can all be part of.
THIS WEEK IN CINCY
💻 One teen, thousands of learners. A free coding class at a local library grew into a nonprofit reaching 3,700 people.
👟 46 miles in five days. One Cincinnati pastor is going the distance for children facing homelessness and poverty.
🎃 Free art, live music, and Halloween fun give us three good reasons to get out this weekend.
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🏡 WORTH KNOWING
She started a free coding class. Then 3,700 people showed up.
Shrey Rana and Shubhangi Srishti teaching coding to local students through TechElevate. Photo: Journal-News.
A couple of years ago, Lakota East student Shubhangi Srishti noticed something frustrating: her younger sister and her friends didn't have access to the advanced coding lessons Shubhangi had enjoyed.
So she found an online curriculum, reserved a room at a MidPointe Library branch, and started teaching. For free.
There was just one problem. More students wanted to join than she could handle.
That small library class became TechElevate, a nonprofit providing free technology education to children and older adults. According to Shubhangi, the organization has now reached approximately 3,700 participants, with more than 100 volunteers nationally and programs extending to over 40 states.
The turning point? One student arrived without a laptop. There wasn't a spare. Shubhangi and her classmates realized that enthusiasm alone wouldn't close the digital divide. They needed an organization that could raise money, recruit volunteers, and provide resources.
And the mission kept growing.
When an older participant shared that she'd lost thousands of dollars to a text-message scam, Shubhangi recognized another need. TechElevate began expanding into digital literacy and scam-prevention education for seniors.
Today, its programs include coding, robotics, cybersecurity, and help navigating technology safely.
Shubhangi is now a senior at Lakota East, balancing school and extracurricular activities with running the nonprofit. She's also been recognized by AFP Cincinnati as its Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy honoree.
What makes this special: The idea wasn't to build an impressive résumé. It began with a simple question: Why shouldn't someone else have the same opportunity I had?
The answer became something much bigger than one classroom.
📍 AROUND CINCY
🎒 Helping students stay in class
A Loveland nonprofit is tackling an often-overlooked barrier to education.
Impacting Tomorrow's Carry Her initiative provides free menstrual products to students, with the program now reaching 22 Cincinnati Public Schools locations and the Lockland and Milford districts.
The goal: help students stay in school without worrying about access to basic supplies.
🏈 Bengals players build something bigger than football
Several Cincinnati Bengals players helped build a wheelchair ramp for Navy veteran Kenneth Wackenthaler in Liberty Township this week.
The project, organized with Operation Ramp It Up, marked the nonprofit's 380th wheelchair ramp, including 200 across the Tri-State.
Even better, the modular ramps can be reused to help additional families.
🧹 200 volunteers show up for Price Hill
More than 200 volunteers came together for Hispanic Volunteer Day, organized by the Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati USA Foundation.
They worked on schools, parks, and community spaces throughout Price Hill, including projects supporting local nonprofits and neighborhood institutions.
The October 10 event was a practical example of what happens when people invest a Saturday morning in their neighbors.
🥫 Food pantries need more local support
Greater Cincinnati food pantries are facing growing demand.
At Hamilton's New Life Mission, some days now bring as many as 80 families seeking food assistance.
The organization provides groceries, hot meals, and connections to additional services for people facing hardship.
Want to help? Donations and volunteers support the work.
🙌 SHOW UP
🎨 BEST FREE DATE NIGHT
Friday, October 30 | 5–9 PM | Cincinnati Art Museum | Free
An evening of DJs, costumes, gallery tours, and ghost stories at the Cincinnati Art Museum.
You'll also get free access to special exhibitions featuring Charley Harper and Nancy Rexroth.
Best for: Date night or an evening with friends.
The move: Arrive early. Parking is limited, and no advance registration is required. Some optional activities and refreshments cost extra.
🎻 BEST RELAXED EVENING
Friday, October 30 | 6–9 PM | Washington Park | Free
Live string music returns to the Washington Park bandstand, with StringSource performing and fire pits helping take the chill out of a fall evening.
An easy alternative to the usual Halloween weekend plans.
Best for: Couples, families, or friends looking for a low-key night.
The move: Pair the concert with dinner or dessert in OTR. Dress for the cooler evening weather.
🎃 BEST FAMILY PICK
Saturday, October 31 | 4–6 PM | Findlay Market | Free
Costumed kids can collect candy from participating Findlay Market merchants inside the Market House and at surrounding storefronts.
It's a neighborhood-style Halloween celebration at one of Cincinnati's most recognizable institutions.
Best for: Families with younger kids.
The move: Bring your own candy bag and look for the marked participating businesses.
One more worth knowing
🎃 Fort Thomas Pumpkin Walk returns October 29–30 from 6–9 PM at Tower Park. Enjoy hundreds of glowing jack-o'-lanterns, free admission, and a community Halloween tradition across the river.
🤝 ORGANIZATION OF THE WEEK
Helping Cincinnati kids be kids again
Eight-year-old Wesley Collavo is a big Formula One fan. Recently, thanks to A Kid Again Southwest Ohio, he got to experience a little racing excitement of his own at Scene75.
For Wesley, who has cerebral palsy, moments like these mean a lot. His family has spent countless hours navigating surgeries, medical appointments, and physical therapy, including more than 240 hours of outpatient therapy in one year.
A Kid Again helps families like the Collavos experience something every child deserves: the chance to simply be a kid.
The Cincinnati-based nonprofit provides completely free, year-round outings called Adventures for families raising children with life-threatening conditions.
Think Kings Island, sporting events, holiday celebrations, and other family experiences, all designed to create memories beyond hospital walls.
Today, the Southwest Ohio chapter serves approximately 1,100 local families.
And it's not just about the children. Parents and siblings get to participate, too, building friendships with other families who understand their experiences.
How you can help
Know a family who could benefit? Children under 20 with a qualifying life-threatening diagnosis may be eligible.
You can also support the organization by volunteering, donating, or simply sharing its mission with someone who needs it.
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👋 SOMEONE YOU SHOULD KNOW
Peter Matthews: 46 miles for Cincinnati's children
Most people wouldn't choose to walk 46 miles across Greater Cincinnati in five days.
Pastor Peter Matthews did.
Through VillageWalk 2026, the founder of Global Village 513 walked across Southwest Ohio to draw attention to children facing poverty, homelessness, and foster care challenges.
Along the way, he visited 25 organizations and helped raise approximately $7,000 toward a $20,000 goal.
The money supports Project Connect, which serves Cincinnati Public Schools students experiencing homelessness, and Kindness for Kids, which helps children in foster care.
Matthews also experienced transportation barriers firsthand, including stretches of suburban roads without sidewalks.
Now he's hoping to turn the effort into quarterly opportunities for neighbors to serve children and families.
🗓️ LOOKING AHEAD
An evening of food and drink flights, entertainment, and fundraising at Carnegie Hall in Newport. General admission begins at 7 PM. Every ticket supports adventures for families raising children with life-threatening conditions.
The new holiday market comes to Sharonville Convention Center. Shop seasonal gifts and specialty vendors. General admission is $15 online in advance, and children 12 and under enter free. Tickets are online only.
Five million LED lights return to the Cincinnati Zoo for its 44th annual holiday tradition. Included with Zoo admission. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
The 117th running of Cincinnati's Thanksgiving tradition. Choose from the 10K, 5K, or kids' run. Registration pricing increases after November 15. Start and finish at TQL Stadium.
A holiday classic returns to Music Hall, accompanied by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. One to plan ahead for if you're looking for a memorable family outing.
💌 PASS THE GOOD NEWS
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✝️ A GOOD WORD
“Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 (ESV)
Sometimes carrying someone's burden looks pretty ordinary.
Building a wheelchair ramp. Giving a family a day of fun. Offering a few hours of your time to someone who needs it.
We don't have to solve every problem in Cincinnati to make a difference.
This week, look for one opportunity to make someone else's load a little lighter.
See you next Thursday at 5:55 AM.
