United Way of Greater Cincinnati is often the call people make when they aren’t sure where else to turn.
Sometimes the need is immediate. Sometimes the challenge is bigger than funding. And sometimes what’s needed most is a trusted partner who can listen, understand the full picture and bring the right people and resources together.
That’s what happened when leaders at EPIC House called United Way.
EPIC House is a West End residence providing safe, affordable and supportive housing for 10 older adults, including 82-year-old Charles West.
“It’s kind of like just a big family,” Charles said. “They take us in and treat us like human beings.”
Without EPIC House, many residents could face homelessness or premature placement in nursing homes.
“Imagine losing your home. Imagine not knowing where you’re going to sleep tonight or whether you’ll be able to stay where you are,” said Moira Weir, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Cincinnati. “We know that when people live independently as long as they can, it increases their lifespan and quality of life.”
In 2025, as longtime EPIC House Executive Director Marlene Hamilton prepared for retirement and rising costs created new financial pressures, the organization’s board of trustees grew concerned about its long-term stability. Funding was part of the need, but the board sought something deeper: a trusted partner to help chart a path forward.
Board member Katy Meinhardt called on United Way.
“We were really looking for a strategic partnership to help us think about a path toward financial sustainability and leadership,” Meinhardt said.
That’s where United Way’s expertise and community connections became especially important.
“The conversation was really about identifying options for this awesome asset in our community,” Weir said. “We wanted to brainstorm some ideas together.”
United Way worked with EPIC House’s leadership and board to explore what the organization needed for long-term stability. The partnership connected EPIC House with expertise, supported the search for new leadership and provided unrestricted funding while plans took shape.
“We were at a crossroads,” Meinhardt said. “With Moira and her team, we identified strategies and organizations that could help us navigate financial stability and leadership change. United Way’s support helped create a solid foundation and positioned us well for the future.”
EPIC House’s future matters to residents like Murphy Terrell Jr., who arrived there with a shopping cart full of his belongings and nowhere else to go.
“This is a place where you don’t have to worry about anything,” he said. “It’s a great place for someone who needs some stability … some love and care.”
Today, EPIC House is entering a new chapter under Executive Director Susan Kinsella, who sees the partnership with United Way as a springboard for future growth.
“When an organization like United Way has faith in our abilities and believes in what we do, it really speaks well for the future,” Kinsella said. “It gives us a great opportunity.”
When community organizations face pivotal moments, United Way is a trusted partner that can bring together the relationships, expertise and resources to help face what’s ahead. With a sturdier foundation, EPIC House residents can continue living with dignity, independence and the comfort of knowing they still have a place to call home.
