CINCINNATI — For local nonprofit Cincinnati HER, the focus is on her. The group helps all women – from single mothers to survivors of violent situations.

“HER stands for Housing, Education and Recovery Services,” said CEO Beth Schwartz. “And we serve women, so our name reflects what we do and who we serve.”

HER leaders, women who use its services and their friends and family gathered at the Graduate Hotel on Thursday to celebrate the graduation of women who are part of HER’s Off the Streets program.

“Off the Streets is a 24-bed shelter for women survivors of human trafficking and similar trauma. We provide addiction treatment services in that setting,” Schwartz said.

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Because of the trauma many of them faced and fear for their safety, the women who graduated wanted to stay off camera. However, HER Cincinnati board member Faith Tupman shared how she has seen this program change these women’s lives.

“Being able to help women get to a place where they can develop confidence in their ability to invest in themselves is something that I’ve been able to witness through my experiences off the streets,” she said. Tupman said.

She added that the program is the reason she joined HER Cincinnati.

But HER Cincinnati offers more programs than Off the Streets, all striving to provide solutions to the women who walk through their doors.

“Our mission is to break the cycles of poverty, addiction and human trafficking, and to do that we provide three services: housing, education and recovery services,” Schwartz said.

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Housing is covered by the Anna Louise Inn, an 85-unit apartment complex for single women with supportive services. Education is through Cincinnati Scholar House, affordable housing for single parents in college, with full services to ensure they can graduate and succeed. Recovery is done through the Off the Streets program.

If you want to volunteer, donate, or need help from HER Cincinnati, you can visit their website Here.