Agency News

Gov. Beshear Announces $1 Million Investment to Open ‘Opportunity House’ for Young Adults in Northern Kentucky

Today, Governor Andy Beshear visited the future location of Opportunity House on Northern Kentucky University's campus to present a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) check for $1,000,000.

$4,000 in Match Savings for Homeownership Available

The Assets for Independence program is a first-time homebuyer Savings Match Program for qualifying households to make their dreams of homeownership a reality! Our financial wellness team is ready to help guide you through the process. Qualifying households will meet with a financial coach who will provide the financial education, tools, and resources to purchase a home. Participants will save $1,000 in order to get a $4,000 match toward the down payment of their first home. 

Program Requirements 

• Must agree to program stipulations, including first-come, first-served availability of funds 
• Open custodial savings account with our partner bank
• Meet with a financial coach at least once per month until home closing 
• Home purchase must be under contract by August 31, 2021

Household Qualifications 

• Household adjusted gross income of less than $52,000 for a family of four
• Earned Income Tax Credit eligible households 
• Total household assets minus total household debt is less than $10,000

FAQ Document 

Contact our Financial Wellness Team if you have any questions: 

(859) 491-8303 ext. 2314
infofw@brightoncenter.com 

Early Childhood Education Job Fair

Early Childhood Education JOB FAIR

Wonda Winkler Featured on Cincinnati Public Radio

The Brighton Center has served Northern Kentucky for decades and now the large social services agency based in Newport has a new chief executive officer. Wonda Winkler has taken the reins from Tammy Weidinger. 

President & CEO Wonda Winkler Featured in NKY Business Journal

Brighton Center President & CEO, Wonda Winkler was recently featured in the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce's March/April issue of the NKY Business Journal. 

Brighton Board Chair Tom Stoll Awarded Visionary Board Leader

Source: Cincinnati Business Courior:  https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2021/02/16/legacy-award-winners-announced.html 

Cincinnati nonprofit advocacy group names 2021 ‘Legacy Award' winners

A longtime Cincinnati umbrella group that advocates for local nonprofits announced four recipients of its annual leadership awards.

Leadership Council for Nonprofits, based in Sharonville, will honor three individuals and one organization with its 2021 Leadership Legacy Award. 

Incoming President & CEO, Wonda Winkler Announces her Senior Leadership Team

Newport, KY – November 18, 2020 – On February 1^st, Wonda Winkler will become the President & CEO of Brighton Center. In anticipation of the transition into her role, a new senior leadership structure is being announced.    

Office Space Available.

Great opportunity for affordable office space within a community-based nonprofit. Tons of amenities included!

Brighton Center Announces Retirement of Tammy Weidinger

Brighton Center Announces Retirement of Tammy Weidinger and Appointment of Wonda Winkler as Next President & CEO

After 39 years at Brighton Center and 10 years as President & CEO, Tammy Weidinger will be passing the torch to the next generation of leadership effective February 1^st, 2021.

Newport, KY - June 1, 2020 – “I started my career in social work here at Brighton Center back in 1981 and have enjoyed work that is meaningful and impactful.” states Weidinger. “Brighton Center has been such a significant part of my life and brought many joys and challenges along the way. I am so proud of the continuum of services we provide to the community and the strong, caring relationships we build with customers every day. It has truly been an honor to create programs, work with community partners, and see our customers fulfill their goals in life. There is no question this has been a difficult year with COVID-19 and we still have some hurdles to push past, but we have done it before and we will do it again; together. I love that about our work- we can be counted on to help the community in all situations and we do it with compassion and by providing hope.”

With this in mind, “knowing the strength of our team and commitment of our supporters, I want to share with you my plans for the future. After close to four decades at Brighton Center, I will be retiring as President & CEO on January 31, 2021. I still feel like the 22-year-old who walked into Brighton Center with big dreams and the energy to tackle the world! I can look back now and say with certainty, my career at Brighton Center has changed me for the better,” reflects Weidinger. “We have had a succession plan in place for many years and I feel that now is the appropriate time to pass the torch for the next phase of Brighton Center’s future. I am very proud to announce that Wonda Winkler, our current Executive Vice President, will be Brighton Center’s President & CEO.  Wonda has my full and enthusiastic support. We will have a smooth transition, which will culminate with her taking over February 1, 2021," states Weidinger.

"The Board accepts Tammy’s decision to retire with understanding and deep appreciation for her years of leadership,” said Susan McDonald Chair Person of the Board of Directors. “Tammy has led Brighton Center as President & CEO with integrity and grace over these last 10 years and the organization is stronger, because of her leadership. Tammy’s commitment to create innovative programming that best meets the needs of customers and the community is at the foundation of everything she does. Tammy’s ability to build strong partnerships and her deep commitment to our families, have allowed her to take Brighton Center to where it is today. On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, I would like to thank Tammy for her commitment to Brighton Center, where she has spent her career creating opportunities for individuals and families to reach self-sufficiency."

"Through unanimous vote of our Search Committee, we are beyond pleased that Wonda Winkler will be assuming the role of President & CEO of Brighton Center,” said McDonald. “Wonda has 27 years of experience at Brighton Center and for the last 10 years she has held the position of Executive Vice President. Wonda and Tammy have worked in tandem well over two decades, ensuring a smooth transition. Wonda is a person of integrity, deeply respected by Brighton Center staff, her peers, and a trusted member of this community. She is wholeheartedly committed to Brighton Center’s mission, core values, customers, stakeholders and the community at large, which makes her the ideal candidate to lead Brighton Center into this next chapter. On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, I would like to congratulate and welcome Wonda to this new role as President & CEO.”

"It's an honor to follow Tammy Weidinger as President & CEO, an amazing leader that I strongly respect and admire. Brighton Center is an organization with a rich history of bringing impact and real solutions to our community. The Center is a tangible part of the fabric of our region and it is the staff, customers, friends, donors, and volunteers who have helped build this legacy," said Wonda Winkler. "I am extremely passionate about this organization and our community, and look forward to leading team Brighton Center into the future with great hope and optimism."

About Brighton Center

Since 1966, Brighton Center has been working to be an innovative leader that strengthens the vitality of the community and engages people as they work and live to achieve their hopes and dreams.  From modest beginnings in a Newport storefront when we were founded, Brighton Center has grown to provide a uniquely comprehensive range of programs and services including family and work supports; financial and homeownership services; workforce development services including education, employment and training programs; substance abuse recovery services for women; early childhood education; and neighborhood based programs.  Knowing that issues faced by families and communities are complex and that making positive changes require multiple services…Brighton Center is truly a community of support. 

Each year, Brighton Center impacts the lives of thousands of individuals and families in our region through over 40 distinct programs.

About Wonda Winkler

Wonda has a Bachelor’s from Thomas More University and an MBA from Northern Kentucky University with over 28 years of non-profit experience. She is actively involved in the community helping to shape and influence policy and systemic change, and currently serves on the following: Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors (Executive Committee) and the Women’s Initiative Steering Committee; Growing Regional Outcomes through Workforce (GROW) NKY Steering Committee; National Skills Coalition Racial Equity National Advisory Panel; United Way Public Policy Cabinet; Northern Kentucky Partners for Health; and Northern Kentucky University Graduate Education Advisory Board.   

COVID-19 and Kentucky Kids: The Impact on the HANDS Home Visiting Program

Brighton Center President & CEO Tammy Weidinger joined Terry Brooks of Making Kids Count and Pam Darnall, president and CEO of Family and Children’s Place in Louisville via phone for a conversation about impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on kids.