Creating a Space Where Community Happens Here: Meet Ruth Anne Wolfe

Ruth Anne Wolfe has been passionate about social justice in her neighborhood since her daughter attended Pleasant Ridge Montessori in 2006. Between 2006 and 2012, she learned the challenges faced by a public neighborhood school. This experience was the fertile ground for her work today at Community Happens Here. Her journey has been a long and interesting path starting from her mother’s sheep farm to working in Japan, to becoming a Japanese Interpreter in Cincinnati, to getting a law degree and practicing law, to motherhood, and from there to an awakened sense of community work. 

In this episode Ruth and Ann discuss local schools, social justice, and making change in your community by making personal sacrifices. Podcast highlights include:

• How her daughter's enrollment in a local Montessori school motivated her to make sure all students had what other had. From starting a foundation to help raise money for the school to buying supplies for the teachers and helping all of the students, Ruth Anne did what it took to support students and teachers. Over time the school became the school everyone wanted their children to go to.
• Her realization that if she wanted her community to change, it had to start with her.
• Why she created Community Happens Here, a community space where people are able to meet, entrepreneurs can network, and community happens over a cup of tea or coffee. 
• Just because a community is wealthier doesn't mean the community is more connected or care for each other.
• The quote that got me? "We can either be a service provider or we can figure out how to stop poverty and other social problems."
• Teaching people entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurship mindset helps alleviate poverty. Ruth shares that if you can teach someone how to own their own business you don't need to give away food. That person will be able to take care of themselves.
• Why is it worth doing community work? Ruth tells us, "because its also good for you"!

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Music and production by Zachary Price,  zachpricet@gmail.com

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Community Possibilities is Produced by Zach Price
Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com