Voices of Giving: Joe and Kathy Zielinski

Nominated by: People Working Cooperatively

Joe and Kathy Zielinski have had full careers serving the less fortunate in our community’s most vulnerable neighborhoods. Joe spent over 30 years as an Ohio parole and probation officer. Kathy retired recently after 16 years of service to Talbert House and then as Community Relations Director at People Working Cooperatively.

In addition to their careers, both Joe and Kathy have served tirelessly as volunteers. Joe has been a Field Service Volunteer for PWC since 2002 and was named Volunteer of the Year in the same year. Kathy has been a board member of Cincinnati Affordable Housing Advocates and has spent 10 years serving area youth at Youth, Inc., the non-secure residential Detention Center for Juveniles.

Kathy will tell you: “We strongly believe in the mission of PWC to keep low-income, elderly, and disabled individuals in their homes. The respect each PWC employee shows to clients is amazing. We want to preserve that service for future clients by including PWC in our wills.” Joe would also add that they both have been fortunate in their lives and careers, and, for that, they wished to give back to PWC.

The Zielinski bequest has already been instrumental in launching PWC’s Home Repair Bequest Society. By associating their name with the society, they have encouraged many others to follow their lead.

By leaving a legacy bequest to PWC, Joe and Kathy Zielinski embody the concept of connection. Their generous commitment to the future of PWC connects them to the lives of untold hundreds, or even thousands, of low-income, elderly, and disabled individuals. For this enduring commitment to caring for the most vulnerable of our community and their inspirational example, People Working Cooperatively is forever grateful.