The Neighborhood Summit brings hundreds of Cincinnatians together every year to celebrate those who truly make a difference in our communities. And every year the event spends a portion of the lunch hour honoring a select group of individuals and programs for their commitment to Cincinnati’s neighborhoods with special Neighborhood Summit Awards.

The Neighborhood Summit Awards are given out in three different categories including one that specifically reflects the theme for that year. The categories are Community Catalyst, Lifetime Achievement, and in keeping with this year’s theme of Building Equitable Futures, the Best Equity Project.

Below is the list of 2017 award winners as well as comments read during the lunchtime celebration by Vice Mayor David Mann, chair of the Neighborhoods Committee. You can find pictures from the awards ceremony for these awards and the Engage Cincy Challenge Grants on Facebook.

Community Catalyst of the Year – Henry Frondorf

A volunteer in a community organization whose energy and ideas lead to a project or program that gets community members involved and excited, that produces good outcomes and results in increased neighborhood engagement.

“Simply put, the Community Catalyst award personifies someone who makes things happen. This award winner had been described as someone who had a wild dream that they were able to transform into reality.  Involving all 52 neighborhoods with a one of kind event, the Cincinnati Neighborhood Games has become a new Cincinnati Tradition.  Please join me in welcoming the 2017 Neighborhood Summit Community Catalyst of the Year, Henry Frondorf.”

Building Equitable Futures Award – The Washing Well (team: Community Matters)

This award goes to an outstanding project that demonstrates a commitment to equitable values in practice and exemplifies equity in action to strengthen and transform a community.

"Special to this Summit’s theme of Building Equitable Futures, this next award is for the best Equity Project. Access to services is an equity issue in many communities, especially in locations where most people need to be able to access services by walking to them.  In Lower Price Hill, access to a laundry facility has been a problem.  This non- profit organization solved this issue by both renovating a building and filling this need. Please join me in congratulating Community Matters for the Washing Well as the 2017 Neighborhood Summit Building Equitable Futures Project of the Year.”

Lifetime Achievement Award – Patricia Garry and Paul Rudemiller

This award will be given to an individual, inside or outside of a community organization, whose life and work has benefited all of Cincinnati, through creating inclusiveness, increasing the viability of community activities and organizations, and supporting neighborhoods and neighborhood leaders.

“Finally, this last award recognizes Lifetime Achievement.  We in Cincinnati are blessed to have not one but two Lifetime Achievement Awards to hand out today.  Both of these individuals have dedicated their lives to improving Cincinnati.

This first individual has been called the matriarch of community development. She has dedicated over 50 years to advocating for neighborhoods. Among her many accomplishments, she started the Bond Hill CDC, the Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation and the CDC Association of Greater Cincinnati. Please join me in giving a loud Cincinnati round of applause for 2017 Neighborhood Summit Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Patricia Garry.

The second of these Lifetime Achievement Awards goes to someone who also has dedicated his life to improving Cincinnati. Since 1975, over 50 single family homes and 60 apartments have been renovated and been brought back to life in this neighborhood.  Please join me in recognizing the man who has been the most dominant force in revitalizing Camp Washington, Paul Rudemiller.”

The City of Cincinnati congratulates the winners of the 2017 Neighborhood Summit Awards. These community champions have made major contributions in their own neighborhoods and worked to make Cincinnati a better place overall.