Roderick Hinton knew the Children’s Home of Cincinnati was the right fit for him. Now he wants to spread the word.

When Roderick Hinton talks about his new position at the Children’s Home of Cincinnati, he’s proud to promote its long record of service to children and families and share how the venerable institution served close to 8,000 families in 2016.

But despite its positive reputation, Hinton feels the Children’s Home is still one of the region’s best-kept secrets in the world of community resources and services – and he wants to change that. 

“We’re well respected … and quiet,” Hinton says. “I would like to find a way to build on that reputation, and then have a megaphone to share it.” 

The Children’s Home named Hinton vice president of advancement and community engagement in August 2016. He brings more than two decades of experience in the non-profit sector to his new position. He spent 20 years in multiple leadership roles at St. Xavier High School, most recently as the assistant vice president for enrollment management and strategic initiatives. 

The Children’s Home has served children and families throughout Cincinnati for more than 153 years, and yet, as Hinton says, “We’re not necessarily as well known as we could be on a macro level. My job is to help figure out the way we’ll develop the Children’s Home to be seen for the future.” 

Hinton will be involved in developing strategies to help the Children’s Home raise its profile among the region’s institutions and raise money. That involves enhancing its image, diversifying its offering of services to fit community needs and emphasizing its focus toward providing an “integrated continuum of care for children and families, from infancy to adulthood.” 

In other words, this isn’t your grandparents’ or even your parents’ Children’s Home. The facility that began as an orphanage and later was a residential treatment center, today’s Children’s Home consists of more than 20 community-based programs and services. That includes schools for students with behavioral and learning challenges, services for young people on the autism spectrum and support for their families, a preschool, an afterschool program, a summer camp, behavioral and mental health services, nutritional counseling and parenting assistance.

Hinton, who will be charged with executing a three-year strategic plan to raise money and awareness of the Children’s Home’s offerings, has earned recognition for his extensive work in the community. He was named one of the Cincinnati Business Courier’s Forty Under 40 in 2016, serves on the boards of directors of the Powel Crosley YMCA, the Lighthouse Youth Services Safe & Supported Program while also mentoring an undergraduate Xavier University student.

His philosophy toward helping others comes from growing up in a lower-income neighborhood and receiving assistance from teachers, counselors and mentors as he progressed through his educational and professional career.

“You don’t get anywhere by yourself,” Hinton says. “Our success is always shared. When provided with an opportunity, you have the choice to take advantage.”  

That choice has brought him to the Children’s Home.  “I feel called to the mission of helping vulnerable children transform their lives in a significant way,” Hinton says. “Even in knowing the challenges they face, I see the innocence and joy in these kids and recognize that given the opportunity, they have a chance to transform their lives. The Children’s Home can change the trajectory of their lives in a positive way, and that is an attractive aspect of the place that brings me great joy.

“We’re a team, and we all have a part to play. I feel blessed to be here.” 

Children’s Home of CIncinnati is located at 5050 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45227. For more information, call 513.272.2800 or visit thechildrenshomecinti.org.