CINCINNATI -- As winter weather stretches deeper into spring, City Councilwoman Tamaya Dennard has helped launch a new initiative aimed at promoting random acts of kindness around the Queen City.
Dennard and Tyra Patterson, a paralegal for the Ohio Justice and Policy Center, met outside Coffee Emporium Thursday morning to hand out coffee and brighten the days of anyone passing by, including those experiencing homelessness.
"Some people go their entire day without human touch or someone expressing concern for their well-being. 'Something Warm' is a way to humanize people," Patterson said.
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Patterson is new to Cincinnati, having been released from prison on Christmas Day after serving 23 years for a murder and robbery she didn't commit. She said Something Warm is a way to meet more people in town, make a contribution to the city and show there are people out there who care.
"Something Warm Is about driving connection with people -- all people. We are not targeting any group specifically. If you want a good cup of coffee as you stand at the bus stop or as you walk to your job, we want to provide it," Dennard said, noting they'll be back Friday morning and will continue the initiative throughout the next several months.
The duo were inspired to create the initiative after watching an employee waking up a person sleeping outside the Salvation Army on Central Parkway. It was a cold morning, and they said they were thinking how nice it would have been to offer the man a cup of warm coffee as they forced him to move after seemingly spending the night outside.
For more information on Something Warm, please contact Dennard's office at 513-352-5205 or Tamaya.Dennard@cincinnati-oh.gov.
