History Text
Historical Background
February 1965, several residents of Walnut Hills met to discuss many concerns affecting the community. The group recognized that the strengthening of human relations and the securing of improved conditions do not come by chance or passive goodwill. In March 1965, the Walnut Hills Area Council was organized this led to the appointment of a Steering Committee, which recommended the establishment of a Neighborhood Services Agency. From the beginning, Victory Neighborhood Services Agency (VNSA), Inc., was unique among neighborhood service organizations. It was organized under the guidance of the Health and Welfare Council, Community Chest, and the Greater Cincinnati Federation of Settlements and Neighborhood Centers at the request of the Walnut Hills Area Council. It was the Community Action Commission (CAC) that provided the first funding for the organization.
Victory became incorporated July 1965 in the State of Ohio as a nonprofit organization and was now legally able to negotiate for funds. During the period of conferring with the Community Action Commission for funds, the geographical area to be served came under dispute. Due to the small number of poor in Evanston, the CAC suggested that Walnut Hills and Evanston neighborhood merge for purposes of applying for the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) funds. This merge was likened to a “shot gun” marriage where one parent accepts the agency and the other questioned the legitimacy of the relationship.
Victory became operational in September if 1965. Funds were requested for staff to begin community organization. The goals were to establish communication with residents, other groups, and involve the poor at the grass roots level in participation, planning, and developing programs and services. The initial proposal to the Neighborhood Youth Corp program allowed the agency to provide employment opportunities for those young people who were school dropouts or would be unable to remain in school without employment.
The initial staff consisted of three full time administrative staff and eight part-time outreach staff. Persons were chosen for work who met the poverty income guidelines, and who lived in the neighborhood. Staff had to be accessible to offer assistance to a neighbor in trouble at any time.
An initial community needs assessment of one thousand five hundred households provided the input on community problems needing community action. Residents were also asked what they were willing to do to help solve the problem. A major effort was the developing of block clubs to strengthen the existing Walnut Hill Area Council.
January 1967, VNSA was accepted as a member agency of the Community Chest. Funding allowed the agency to provide direct services in the areas of child care, employment, and casework services.
In 1970 Evanston severed its relationship with VNSA, and in 1978, at the request of the Avondale Community Council and the Community Action Agency, VNSA expanded its services to include the Avondale community opening its branch office at 870 Blair Avenue (Old Jewish Center). The agency received $452,000 in Community Development Grant (CDBG) dollars over a two-year period for renovation of the facility.
Victory and the Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation began planning for a multi-service facility with a $600,000 CDBG grant in 1984. VNSA moved into the east wing of the newly renovated of the old Cummins School in December 1986.
In July 1990, the agency renovated three additional Head Start classrooms at 870 Blair, and in November of the same year received approval from the United Way and Community Chest for a $1.1 million dollar capital campaign for the complete renovation of 870 Blair Avenue.
In February 1997, Victory opened a third location at 736 East McMillan Street.