Centerville-Washington Diversity Council

10/29/2026

We’re excited to welcome an excellent panel of experts ready to share insights, ideas, answers, and advice during next week’s Voices & Stories event: “Aging in Place & Community Belonging.” Our panelists will introduce themselves and speak to relevant professional and personal experiences during the event, but we’ll share brief bios here to set the stage:

• Arnie Biondo is a Del Mar Encore Fellow with The Dayton Foundation, working with the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC) on Age-Friendly Communities. This follows a long career as an award-winning leader, national presenter, state board member, and educator in the field of parks and recreation.
• Donna Kastner, with Modern Elders in Greater Cincinnati, is a longtime champion for happy and healthy aging. For 20+ years, she’s been an advocate for modern elders, facilitating conversations and reaching breakthrough solutions with leaders from the non-profit, for-profit, and government space.
• Janice Lott, LMSW, is an Employee Assistance Program Counselor at Premier Health. A dedicated and compassionate professional with over 25 years of experience in public health, she provides solution-focused counseling to help individuals navigate life's challenges, stabilize their well-being, and regain traction quickly.
• Marketa Robinson, Ph.D, M.Ed, LCDCIII, OCPC, is Executive Director - UMADAOP of Dayton (Urban Minority Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Outreach Programs). She holds advanced degrees in human services and education, specializing in family and community organization and development, and is a licensed chemical dependency counselor and certified prevention consultant. She has worked in field of prevention and treatment for over 22 years, helping youth, adults, older adults, and families at the local, state, and federal level.

Please join us for this free event focusing on creative approaches to support family members and create a more inclusive, supportive, and connected community where people of all ages can thrive.



• Date: November 5, 2026
• Time: 6-7:00 pm
• Location: Joyce Young Center, RecPlex West, 965 Miamisburg-Centerville Road, Washington Township, OH 45459
• RSVP: Sign up for free at https://cwtdiversity.org/

10/22/2026

Our next Voices & Stories event, “Aging in Place & Community Belonging,” will feature panel members with a wide range of expertise sharing personal and professional experiences, practical insights, and community-centered ideas. The conversation will cover topics such as navigating healthcare, accessing transportation, supporting family members and neighbors, and fostering intergenerational relationships.

Whether you are an older adult, caregiver, family member, community advocate, or simply someone who believes in the power of connection, we hope you will join us for this important exploration of ways we can work together to make our community a place where people of all ages can thrive.

• Date: Date: November 5, 2026
• Time: 6-7:00 pm
• Location: Joyce Young Center, RecPlex West, 965 Miamisburg-Centerville Road, Washington Township, OH 45459
• RSVP: Sign up for free at https://cwtdiversity.org/

10/03/2026

10/03/2026

Come on out to the Adapted Action Day at the Activity Center Park and learn more about our Diversity Council! We’ll be here until 1 pm so hurry!

09/30/2026

Are you planning to attend Adapted Action Day at Activity Center Park this weekend? We’ll be there along with the Centerville-Washington Park District and other community groups for an accessible and exciting afternoon of adapted events to serve all abilities. Highlights will include archery, kickball, sidewalk chalk, adapted biking, crafts and so much more!
The program is open to all and promises to be a great time. Hope to see you there!
https://www.facebook.com/events/909469515224948

09/28/2026

Our recent Voices & Stories event, “Immigration Journeys & Community Integration,” was so much fun that we had to share some photos. Thanks again to everyone who attended this sold-out event, and a special note of gratitude to our panelists for sharing their stories, as well as our friends at ContempoRoast for sharing their wonderful space, deep coffee knowledge, and delicious beverages.

We’re already looking forward to our next Voices & Stories event, which is coming up soon. Please save the date for a discussion on "Aging in Place & Community Belonging” at the Joyce Young Center in the Washington Township RecPlex on November 5 from 6-7 p.m. More information and registration info coming soon!

09/08/2026

Exciting update: Tomorrow’s Voices & Stories event, “Immigration Journeys & Community Integration,” is officially SOLD OUT. If you’re disappointed about not being able to join us for this special event, which will feature a panel of three local residents sharing their personal immigration journeys and unique experiences, don’t worry! The Miami Valley Communications Council (MVCC) will be on hand to record the event, and we’ll post a link to the recording once it’s online and ready to watch.

If you don’t already follow us, now would be a great time to do so to make sure you don’t miss that post and link, as well as getting updates on future Voices & Stories programs and other fun events. We hope to see you at one soon!

• Date: Wednesday, Sep. 9, 2026
• Time: 6:00-7:30 pm
• Location: ContempoRoast Coffee & Roastery, 967 S. Main St., Centerville
• RSVP: Sign up for free at https://cwtdiversity.org/

08/31/2026

Our upcoming Voices & Stories event, “Immigration Journeys & Community Integration,” will feature a panel of three local residents sharing their personal immigration journeys and unique experiences as we explore themes of starting over, building belonging, and ways our communities can become more welcoming and inclusive.

• RJ: a proud Filipino immigrant whose journey to the United States in 2006 has shaped both his life and leadership philosophy.
• Vida: came from Iran at age 15, became a U.S. citizen in 1980, and values the opportunity here that provided her with a voice to be heard.
• Cristina: originally from Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico, moved to the U.S. with her family in 2014, carrying a suitcase full of hopes, dreams, and many questions about what the future would hold.

Generously hosted by our friends at ContempoRoast Coffee & Roastery, the event will include time for conversation and networking, as well as a short tour and presentation about coffee beans, the roasting process, and coffee-growing regions worldwide. Please plan to join us for this special, free event!

• Date: Wednesday, Sep. 9, 2026
• Time: 6:00-7:30 pm
• Location: ContempoRoast Coffee & Roastery, 967 S. Main St., Centerville
• RSVP: Sign up for free at https://cwtdiversity.org/

08/13/2026

We are excited to announce our next Voices & Stories event: “Immigration Journeys & Community Integration.” This special event will explore themes of starting over and building belonging, including stories of immigration, naturalization, workforce integration, and ways our communities can become more welcoming and inclusive.

Generously hosted by our friends at ContempoRoast Coffee & Roastery, the event will include time for conversation and networking, as well as a short tour and presentation about coffee beans, the roasting process, and coffee-growing regions worldwide. Participants can relax and enjoy delicious refreshments while hearing the inspiring stories of three local residents as they share their personal immigration journeys and unique experiences. We hope you will be able to join us for this fun, free event!

• Date: Wednesday, Sep. 9, 2026
• Time: 6:00-7:30 pm
• Location: ContempoRoast Coffee & Roastery, 967 S. Main St., Centerville
• RSVP: Sign up for free at https://cwtdiversity.org/

Join us for a meaningful conversation with local immigrants who will share their unique journeys and experiences.

07/03/2026

We're celebrating America 250 at the Centerville Americana Festival on July 4th. Stop by to say hello, learn more about our organization, make a button, and sign up for a committee!