Empowering Youth,
One Person at a Time

Supporting at-risk youth ages 16–21 in Southwest Ohio with Independent Living, life skills training, case management, and wraparound support since 2007.

90%
HS Graduation Rate
500+
Youth Served
18+
Years of Service
24-hr
Referral Response
IL & SIL
Housing Programs
2×/week
Case Manager Visits
1-on-1
Special Needs Support
90-day
Aftercare Support
ODJFS
State Certified
What We Do
Comprehensive Support for Independent Living

Our ODJFS-certified program provides youth with everything they need to build independence — from a fully furnished apartment to weekly skills training and dedicated case management.

🏠

Housing & Placement

Fully equipped scattered-site and semi-independent living units. Every apartment is furnished and move-in ready before a youth arrives.

📋

Case Management

Two face-to-face visits per week — including one in the youth's apartment — to monitor progress, adjust plans, and provide coaching.

📚

Education & Employment

School advocacy, tutoring, resume help, mock interviews, college tours, and FAFSA assistance — 90% of our youth graduate high school.

🤝

Special Needs 1-on-1

Intensive, individualized support for youth with mental health, developmental, or physical disabilities — up to 24-hour staffing available.

🚌

Transportation

Free transportation to medical, court, school, employment, and family visitation. We teach youth to ride public transit independently.

🌿

Aftercare

90 days of post-discharge support to ensure a smooth transition to independence, college, or family placement.

State Licensed & Community Trusted
Certified by ODJFS · Serving Southwest Ohio

CTW is a Minority-owned, ODJFS-certified Independent Living provider contracted with Hamilton County, Butler County, and Clermont County in Ohio. We have proudly served 500+ youth in Southwest Ohio since 2007.

Est. 2007 · Cincinnati, OH · Minority-Owned
Our Story

Founded in 2007 by Bob Kelly and Dr. Denessa Minor-Kelly, Changing the World, LLC was built on a passion to serve at-risk youth who needed more than a place to stay — they needed a foundation for life.

Based in Cincinnati, we provide Independent Living and Semi-Independent Living services to male and female youth ages 16–21, including specialized 1-on-1 programs for youth with special needs. We have served over 500 youth since our founding.

Our Administrator and Executive Director also serve as business coaches for The Greater Cincinnati Micro Enterprise Organization, demonstrating our deep roots in the Southwest Ohio community.

✓ ODJFS Certified Agency

Fully certified to operate Independent Living arrangements in accordance with Chapter 5103 of the Ohio Revised Code.

✓ Contracted with Hamilton, Butler & Clermont Counties

Active contracts with Hamilton County, Butler County, and Clermont County Departments of Job and Family Services in Ohio.

✓ Minority-Owned Business

Changing the World is owned and operated by African Americans, reflecting our commitment to equity and inclusion in the communities we serve.

Our Core Values

  • Youth empowerment and genuine independence
  • Education as the primary path to opportunity
  • Individualized, hands-on, TEAM-based support
  • Dignity, respect, and cultural sensitivity for every youth
  • Trauma-informed care in all interactions
  • Transparency and full disclosure with county partners
  • Safe, fully furnished living environments
  • Long-term commitment — even after discharge

Our Founders

BK
Bob Kelly
Co-Founder & Administrator
Leads daily operations and program delivery since 2007. Business coach at Greater Cincinnati Micro Enterprise Organization.
DK
Dr. Denessa Minor-Kelly
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Brings professional expertise and strategic vision to CTW's mission of empowering at-risk youth in Southwest Ohio.
90%
HS Grad Rate
500+
Youth Served
2007
Year Founded
3 Counties
Serving SW Ohio
Our Programs
Comprehensive Independent Living Services

CTW delivers fully individualized, strengths-based programming addressing every dimension of youth development.

🏠 Housing Programs

Scattered-Site Independent Living

  • Private apartment in the community
  • Fully furnished before move-in
  • Computer/tablet & internet access
  • Lease held in CTW's name
  • Monthly apartment inspections

Semi-Independent Living (SIL)

  • Individual bedrooms; shared common spaces
  • On-site resident manager 11pm–8am daily
  • Time-limited (typically 6 months)
  • Intensified skills training
  • Team reviews for extensions

Supportive & Specialized Housing

  • Up to 24-hour staffing available
  • 1-on-1 worker assigned as needed
  • Temporary housing for college youth during breaks
  • Emergency housing within 90 days of discharge

🎓 Life Skills Training

Every youth receives at least one hour of hands-on skills training weekly, guided by a Casey Life Skills assessment and personalized Independent Living Plan.

💰 Budgeting & Money Management

Accounts, stipend management, savings goals

🍳 Cooking & Nutrition

Meal planning, grocery shopping, food safety

🚌 Public Transportation

Staff rides with youth until they travel independently

🧹 Apartment Maintenance

Cleaning, laundry, home upkeep, tenant responsibilities

👔 Dressing for Success

Professional presentation, interview attire

💬 Communication & Decision-Making

Conflict resolution, healthy relationships, self-advocacy

❤ Health & Wellness

Primary care, dental, vision, behavioral health

🌿 Personal Development & Safety

Self-esteem, goal-setting, social skills

📚 Education & Employment

Education Support

  • School enrollment, attendance & advocacy
  • IEP planning and educational team meetings
  • Tutoring and academic support
  • College campus visits & post-secondary planning
  • FAFSA, ETV, and financial aid assistance

Employment & Job Readiness

  • Resume writing and mock interviews
  • Job search coaching and community connections
  • Workforce development and vocational training
  • Workplace success coaching
  • Internship and apprenticeship connections

📋 Case Management

Regular Contact & Oversight

  • Two face-to-face visits per week
  • Needs assessment within 30 days
  • Individualized Independent Living Plan
  • Quarterly treatment team meetings
  • Monthly progress reports to JFS

Crisis & Legal Support

  • Crisis support plan within 30 days
  • Trauma-informed responses to incidents
  • Court hearing and SAR representation
  • 24-hour availability for urgent situations

Community & Family Engagement

  • Recreation tailored to youth's interests
  • Flexible, non-punitive visitation support
  • Family involvement in all planning
  • Public assistance enrollment (Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, WIC)

🌟 Discharge & Aftercare

Our Commitment Doesn't End at Discharge

CTW provides 90 days of post-discharge support and has a long-standing policy of helping former youth even years after leaving the program — including housing, food, clothing, phone access, and job interview assistance.

Pre-Discharge Planning

  • Transition planning begins at intake; reviewed every 90 days
  • Sustainable housing plan developed with youth
  • Medical records and school documents transferred
  • Employment/vocational plan finalized

Post-Discharge Support

  • Crisis support for 90 days post-discharge
  • Discharge summary report within 30 days
  • Furniture released to youth moving to independent housing
  • Referrals to community resources
How We Work
Our Process: From Referral to Independence

CTW's structured, TEAM-based approach ensures every youth receives individualized, trauma-informed care from the first referral through discharge and beyond.

Step 1 — Referral & Intake

1

24-Hour Response

CTW responds to referrals within one business day.

2

Youth Interview

Assess eligibility, needs, readiness, and transportation capacity.

3

Casey Life Skills Assessment

Completed during intake to inform the personalized IL Plan.

4

TEAM Meeting

Service Plan developed with youth, county worker, GAL, and family.

5

Move-In

Apartment fully furnished and ready. Transportation provided when needed.

Step 2 — Active Services

Weekly Routine

  • Minimum 2 case manager visits (1 in apartment)
  • At least 1 hour of hands-on life skills training
  • Stipend distributed tied to meeting attendance
  • Transportation to school, work, medical, court, family visits
  • Documentation submitted within 24 hours

Ongoing Reviews

  • Comprehensive needs assessment within 30 days
  • Crisis support plan within 30 days
  • Transition planning reviewed every 90 days
  • Quarterly treatment team meetings
  • Court representation and SAR participation

Step 3 — Staff Training & Standards

🔍 Background Screening

BCII, FBI, local police, and Central Registry before any work with youth

🚗 Driver Verification

BMV transcript at hire and annually; no more than 6 points

🏥 First Aid & CPR

All staff certified at hire or within 6 months

📖 Initial Orientation

Minimum 20 hours within first 30 days

📚 First-Year Training

Minimum 52 total training hours in first 12 months

🔁 Annual Continuing Training

Minimum 24 hours annually — trauma-informed care, child welfare law

Quality Assurance & Outcomes

CTW maintains an annual Aggregated Outcome Report and submits bi-annual reports to county JFS partners covering:

Housing StabilityAcademic SuccessEmploymentHS GraduationCriminal Justice InvolvementSuccessful EmancipationPlacement StabilityYouth & Family SatisfactionClinical EffectivenessStaff TrainingAWOL IncidentsPost-Secondary Education
Join Our Team
Employment Opportunities

Be part of a mission-driven team making a real difference in the lives of at-risk youth across Southwest Ohio.

Wrap-Around Worker
Full-Time · Cincinnati, OH · Independent Living Program
Now Hiring
House Manager
Full-Time · Cincinnati, OH · Semi-Independent Living
Now Hiring

Staff Requirements

  • Education and licensure commensurate with role
  • Trauma-informed care competency required
  • BCII, FBI, and Central Registry background checks
  • Valid driver's license — under 6 points
  • First Aid and CPR certification
  • 52+ hours of training in the first year
  • 24+ hours of continuing training annually
  • Ohio Child Welfare Training (Core, CAPMIS, SACWIS)
  • Mandatory reporter — incidents within 24 hours
  • Documentation submitted within 24 hours of activity

Why Work With Us?

CTW is an 18-year-old, mission-driven organization with proven impact. We offer a supportive team environment, ongoing professional development, and the opportunity to make a direct, lasting difference in the lives of at-risk youth across Southwest Ohio.

Get in Touch
Contact Us
📍

Office Address

2637 Melrose Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45206

📞

Phone

(513) 383-0690

📬

Mailing Address

PO Box 29349
Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-0349

👤

Administrator

Bob Kelly
Changing the World, LLC

🗺

Counties Served

Hamilton County · Butler County
Clermont County, Ohio

⏰

Referral Response

Within 1 business day. Same-day placements accommodated when feasible.

📱

Digital Business Card

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