After watching his father lose a long battle with lung cancer, one Tristate teen reached out to other grieving youths.

        Joe Keuffer, a 16-year-old student at Purcell Marian High School, was one of five recipients of a Building Bridges Award on Thursday for his work with grieving children.

        Recipients were chosen for the sixth annual awards from Cincinnati Bell based on the length of time working in the community, the impact of their efforts and their ability to bridge gaps in diversity.

        Joe regularly devotes his time to Teen Response Inc., a youth program that aims to provide opportunities for kids to succeed and build self-esteem.

        “I really wish there were a lot more people who could win this award,” he said, “because there are a lot of kids who deserve it.”

        Joe began his involvement with Teen Response about five years ago after he watched his father die of lung cancer. He also helps Fernside, a center for grieving children, as a volunteer.

        “I saw kids going through exactly what I was going through years before,” he said. “I was able to help them out so much.”

        Other recipients include:

        • Community leader: Lisa Kreines. Ms. Kreines has volunteered with the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative for 10 years. She leads the Hamilton County Youth Conference, which draws more than 700 high school students every year for a one-day learning conference. Students participate in workshop and leadership activities.

        • Community leader: Jenny Laster. Ms. Laster is president and CEO of the GrassRoots Leadership Academy. Created in 1997, it was designed to address the leadership development needs of those active in the community. She has also served as executive director for Cincinnati Works, an organization that helps low-income people move toward self-sufficiency.

        • Organization: Beech Acres. With a mission of strengthening families for children, the agency serves more than 10,000 parents and children each year in its programs. Services include parenting programs, mediation, therapeutic foster care and child and family therapy.

        • Cincinnati Bell Community Leader: Dee Stinnette. Ms. Stinnette has regularly volunteered with organizations including Women Helping Women, Radio Readers, the Talbert House and St. John's parish. She also founded and developed Winning Guidance, a center for support, healing and personal and professional coaching.

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