News and Events

Founders Day Honors Leaders & Volunteers

Each year, Kennedy Heights Arts Centers recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to KHAC’s mission through their leadership and volunteer service through awards presented at our annual Founders Day event. The 17th Annual Founders Day will be held outside at the Arts Center on Sunday, June 13.

We are pleased to announce this year’s honorees.

Kennedy Award: Ernie Barbeau

Ernie Barbeau was born and raised in New Hampshire but made his way to Ohio in 1962, eventually settling in Kennedy Heights where he has lived with his wife Judy for 31 years. With a background in social work, Ernie had a strong commitment to civic engagement and diversity, so Kennedy Heights is the perfect place for him. Ernie has held just about every leadership position in the neighborhood as president of the Kennedy Heights Community Council, board member of the Kennedy Heights Development Corporation, and now as community historian. For the past six years, Ernie has been preserving and telling The Kennedy Heights Story in a series of articles in the neighborhood newsletter.

Ernie first became involved with Kennedy Heights Arts Center in 2003 when residents were organizing to purchase the Kennedy Mansion, and he and Judy became one of the founders of the center. Ernie continues to stay involved and support the Arts Center because its mission is important to him, as well as the commitment to diversity. When asked about receiving the Kennedy Award Ernie stated, “I was surprised at the recognition. Receiving this award at 85 is incredible to me.”

Volunteer of the Year: Allison Goodman

Allison “Allie” Goodman has lived with her family in Kennedy Heights for 16 years, after previously living on the Pleasant Ridge/Norwood border. Allie has a degree in art education and has been working as a preschool teacher for the past 14 years. She is also PTO President at Pleasant Ridge Montessori — which is why she was approached by Josh Harden, the athletic director for Woodford Academy, about helping students during the pandemic. Allie felt it was her duty to get involved, not just as PTO president, but a personal duty.

During 2020, Allie spent five months volunteering 3 days a week at Woodford Academy in Kennedy Heights, assisting with the distribution of food and supplies to area families. And when Kennedy Heights Arts Center offered to provide free Creativity Kits for youth, it was Allie who made sure students received them. She worked with KHAC staff to pick up and distribute nearly 3,000 kits to local youth last summer. When asked about receiving this award, Allie stated, “I love the honor, but I am very surprised because I don’t do this work for recognition. I respect the Art Center’s place in the community, and it gives me hope and optimism working with them.”

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Please join us for our 17th Annual Founders’ Day  on Sunday, June 13 from 2 to 4 pm.

We are excited to share a retrospective look at the past year’s accomplishments and plans for the coming year. As we continue to champion the arts, we gain perspective through diversity, strength through unity, and hope through community.

The event will be held outdoors under a tent, with light refreshments. Masks are required for everyone inside our buildings; masks are optional outdoors for those who are vaccinated. Social distancing is encouraged.

At 2:00 pm, join us for an artist-led tour of our new outdoor exhibit Undermining Silence: The Language of Change and community-created HIVE sculpture. The program will begin at 2:30 pm.

RSVP appreciated to ellen@kennedyarts.org or 513-631-4278.