Upon retiring as Director of Hematology/Oncology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in 1991, Dr. Beatrice Lampkin set out to do something about the poverty, homelessness and crime caused by substance abuse within Cincinnati. Early in 1993, the mission committee of Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian Church consisting of Nancy Forbriger, Dr. Beatrice Lampkin and Anne Poehlman, started planning for a prgram to meet this need. By collaborating with the Interfaith Hospitality Network, the committee learned that a high percentage of the homeless families they served struggled with addiction.

The committee quickly learned that children who struggled with the consequences of parental addiction did not receive adequate help. Research showed a large percent of children in those situations exhibit behavior problems and mental health issues.

The initial idea for GLAD House was born – creating a group home where children could thrive while a parent was also receiving addiction treatment and therapy.

By the end of 1993 the name G.L.A.D. House, which stands for “Giving Life a Dream”, was chosen and the first four officers were elected. Dr. Beatrice Lampkin became the first president, Nancy Forbriger was elected Vice President, Estelle Riley was secretary and Steve Hoath took the treasurer position. Meetings continued in Dr. Lampkin’s home as the organization created by-laws and received its 501(c)(3) status. By March of 1993 the board grew to 24 individuals with countless others offering expertise and advice.

A building on the campus of St. Aloysius Orphanage was chosen as the location for GLAD House in 1995. An ambitious fundraising goal of 1 million dollars was set to renovate the building and provide initial operating funds. By the fall of 1997 the $1 million goal was achieved and renovations were completed on December 31, 1997.

On Janurary 18, 1998 we celebrated the grand opening of GLAD House and shared Dr. Lampkin’s vision of creating positive change in the lives of children. February 16, 1998 the first group of children enrolled and started living in GLAD House to receive life-changing intervention and prevention education within a stable, caring environment.

The first group of children consisted of 4 boys and 4 girls. Each child had their own bedroom and attended school in the neighborhood. Their mothers came for dinner, to help with homework and to participate in the Strengthening Family Program.

In 2000, the residential program was discontinued in order to serve more children through an after-school and long-term treatment program. The new format allowed for more children to attend an intensive after school program four days a week until treatment goals were met and then continue once a week for long-term care.

Over the past decade the program has remained very much the same. We have received certification by the Ohio Department of Mental Health, national accreditation from the Council on Accreditation for Mental Health Services and we were one of the first agencies in Hamilton County to be certified in prevention services by the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services.

Our most recent addition to the program is Community Psychiatric Supportive Treatment or case management. This allows staff to coordinate services with multiple agencies such as protective services, foster parents, the school system and social workers outside of GLAD House.

GLAD House continues to help children break the intergenerational cycle of addiction and poverty by reinforcing the importance of academic success and a healthy lifestyle. We encourage healthy choices and decision making while helping children develop leadership skills and confidence. We also focus on giving youth the tools to manage their anger and respond non-violently to situations.

Hundreds of children have walked through the doors of GLAD House to a better, brighter future.

Special Thanks To Those Who Made GLAD House A Reality

Anne Poehlman
Annie Bennett
Betsy Baxter
David Lindner
Diane E. Brown
Dr. Beatrice Lampkin
Dr. Bruce Archibald
Estelle Riley
First Step Home
Georgianna Taggart
Jackie Butler
James Orr
Jennifer Bray
Mary Schwaderer
Maynard Holcomb
Nancy Forbriger
Pat Callison
Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian Church
Senator Robert Schuler
Steve Hoath M.D.
Todd Washburn