LOVELAND, Ohio — Born and raised in Cincinnati, Christian Davis always had the support of her community to help raise her family.
"People always ask me, 'How did you raise nine kids?'" Davis said. "I really had the support of family."
That network of people helped Davis connect to low-cost activities or resources for her family.
"Anything from back to school items or if I wanted to get my kids involved in sporting events," Davis said.
Davis is now making it her mission to help empower other parents through her smartphone. In 2019, she created the Facebook Group Cincinnati Parent Empowerment Network, also known as CPEN. On the page, she shares information about free and low-cost events and financial resources she thinks parents might not know about.
"I really think that this just showcases the need," Davis said. "That there are families, regardless of socioeconomic status, regardless of race, regardless of religion that really just want to make Cincinnati their home."
In less than a year, the network has grown and now parents in other neighborhoods contribute information to the page.
The group also runs a program called "Adopt a Mom and Dad," where members put together care baskets to show support to those who need it.
Davis said the goal is to make sure local families make fond memories.
"When you talk about creating memories and moments with the family, those are the things that kids remember," Davis said. "They don't necessarily remember the materialistic things."
The Cincinnati Parent Empowerment Network funds their efforts through donations. People who want to donate can do so here.
