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Katie's House to provide speech therapy | cincinnati.com | Cincinnati.Com
It's been nearly five years since a speech pathologist who helped students at three Clermont County schools was killed by a drunken driver, but the memory of Katie Haumesser has inspired a plan for a treatment center devoted to children.
Katie's House, which would encompass 3,000 square feet at 2825 Burnet Ave. in Corryville, is being designed to provide a nurturing environment in which up to 1,400 kids could receive speech and related therapy regardless of a family's ability to pay. It also would teach parents how to help kids cope.
The Katie Haumesser Foundation, which has raised and donated more than $50,000 since 2007, had inquired about how it could help the Hearing Speech & Deaf Center of Greater Cincinnati.
The two nonprofit organizations decided to partner to create Katie's House, which would occupy the empty third floor of the center. It's being designed to look like the inside of a home rather than an intimidating doctor's office. Plans include a family room, kitchen and dining room.
The center helped about 6,000 people of all ages last year, but Katie's House would expand services for children.
"This would be such a fun place for kids to come," said Sharon Hill, director of development and marketing for the Hearing Speech & Deaf Center. "If issues are not dealt with when someone is little, it's going to be a struggle for them in school."
Haumesser helped kids at Glen Este and Amelia high schools and Willowville Elementary School.
Making Katie's House a reality would cost about $230,000, Hill said. The goal is to have it open in three years.
Amy Haumesser Zeisler, sister of Katie Haumesser, said the foundation would seek sponsors, hold fundraisers and write grant proposals.
Zeisler and Danielle Toft, Haumesser's best friend, had envisioned such a place since starting the foundation.
"It was always a dream that we could have a place in her name where kids could be treated," Zeisler said. "Once we get it up and going, we're still going to do fundraising for new equipment or whatever Katie's House would need."
Funds raised at the upcoming fifth annual Celebration of Life in Memory of Katie Haumesser will help.
The event is to run 6-11 p.m. April 2 at Reception's East, 4450 Eastgate Blvd. in Union Township. Cost is $40 per person if registered by March 22, or $45 at the door. It will include dinner, dancing, a silent auction and raffles.
The second Katie Haumesser Outstanding Service Award will be presented at the event. Nominees must have demonstrated caring for children. Nominations must be received by Feb. 18. Details about the award and the fundraising dinner are available at KatiesSpecialKids.org or by calling 513-602-3763 .
Katie Haumesser, 27, was killed while driving home to Amelia from Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati. She had taken her daughter, Emma, for treatment after an asthma attack.
Emma, who was 10 when hurt in the head-on collision on Interstate 275, told a judge that she forgave the drunken driver. He was sentenced to seven years in prison.
It's been nearly five years since a speech pathologist who helped students at three Clermont County schools was killed by a drunken driver, but the memory of Katie Haumesser has inspired a plan for a treatment center devoted to children.
Katie's House, which would encompass 3,000 square feet at 2825 Burnet Ave. in Corryville, is being designed to provide a nurturing environment in which up to 1,400 kids could receive speech and related therapy regardless of a family's ability to pay. It also would teach parents how to help kids cope.
The Katie Haumesser Foundation, which has raised and donated more than $50,000 since 2007, had inquired about how it could help the Hearing Speech & Deaf Center of Greater Cincinnati.
The two nonprofit organizations decided to partner to create Katie's House, which would occupy the empty third floor of the center. It's being designed to look like the inside of a home rather than an intimidating doctor's office. Plans include a family room, kitchen and dining room.
The center helped about 6,000 people of all ages last year, but Katie's House would expand services for children.
"This would be such a fun place for kids to come," said Sharon Hill, director of development and marketing for the Hearing Speech & Deaf Center. "If issues are not dealt with when someone is little, it's going to be a struggle for them in school."
Haumesser helped kids at Glen Este and Amelia high schools and Willowville Elementary School.
Making Katie's House a reality would cost about $230,000, Hill said. The goal is to have it open in three years.
Amy Haumesser Zeisler, sister of Katie Haumesser, said the foundation would seek sponsors, hold fundraisers and write grant proposals.
Zeisler and Danielle Toft, Haumesser's best friend, had envisioned such a place since starting the foundation.
"It was always a dream that we could have a place in her name where kids could be treated," Zeisler said. "Once we get it up and going, we're still going to do fundraising for new equipment or whatever Katie's House would need."
Funds raised at the upcoming fifth annual Celebration of Life in Memory of Katie Haumesser will help.
The event is to run 6-11 p.m. April 2 at Reception's East, 4450 Eastgate Blvd. in Union Township. Cost is $40 per person if registered by March 22, or $45 at the door. It will include dinner, dancing, a silent auction and raffles.
The second Katie Haumesser Outstanding Service Award will be presented at the event. Nominees must have demonstrated caring for children. Nominations must be received by Feb. 18. Details about the award and the fundraising dinner are available at KatiesSpecialKids.org or by calling 513-602-3763 .
Katie Haumesser, 27, was killed while driving home to Amelia from Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati. She had taken her daughter, Emma, for treatment after an asthma attack.
Emma, who was 10 when hurt in the head-on collision on Interstate 275, told a judge that she forgave the drunken driver. He was sentenced to seven years in prison.
J/K