OneQuest Health launches “The 208 Connection Challenge” for its Founder’s 208th Birthday

OneQuest Health launches “The 208 Connection Challenge” for its Founder’s 208^th Birthday 

Celebrating the 208th birthday of Covington philanthropist Amos Shinkle, OneQuest Health repurposes his bridge-building legacy to tackle loneliness and depression across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. 

COVINGTON, KY – August 11, 2026 – OneQuest Health (formerly CHNK Behavioral Health) is celebrating the 208^th birthday of one of the region’s defining historic figures, Amos Shinkle, with its “The 208 Connection Challenge.” The challenge is a simple initiative designed to combat loneliness, anxiety, and depression through intentional human connection.

Best known for financing the iconic Roebling Suspension Bridge and founding the Covington Protestant Children’s Home, which was the precursor to OneQuest Health, Amos Shinkle generously built bridges between people and the resources they needed to thrive. Nearly 150 years later, OneQuest Health is repurposing Shinkle’s bridge-building spirit to address today’s modern health epidemic of social isolation.

“Amos Shinkle understood that connection is a lifeline, from building a physical bridge over the Ohio River to creating a place for children in need,” said Rick Wurth, CEO of OneQuest Health. “Today, as 3.4 million Kentuckians live in mental health professional shortage areas, connection remains our most vital protective factor. Isolation feeds depression; genuine connection builds resilience.” 

The 208 Connection Challenge

To honor Shinkle’s 208^th birthday, OneQuest Health encouraged its team and supporters to collectively make 208 meaningful connections on August 11. 

·        Check in on someone: Reach out to a friend, family member, or co-worker with a genuine “How are you feeling?”

·        Build a gratitude bridge: Share a message of thanks with a healthcare provider, teacher, or local caregiver.

·        Prioritize self-care: Schedule a personal therapy or coaching session to support your own mental fitness.

·        Create your own: Any intentional act of human connection counts.

·        Share your moment on August 11 by tagging @onequsthealth on social media or dropping a comment on their post. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 for free, confidential 24/7 support. To connect with OneQuest Health for therapy, life coaching, or EAP services, visit onequesthealth.org or call 859-261-8768. 

About OneQuest Health

OneQuest Health is a multi-state integrated behavioral and primary care nonprofit headquartered in Covington, Kentucky, serving Kentucky, southern Ohio, and Indiana. Formerly known as CHNK Behavioral Health, the organization carries a nearly 150-year legacy of service that has evolved from its origins in child welfare into a modern, integrated care enterprise. Today, OneQuest Health employs approximately 165 professionals across Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, Williamstown, and Louisville. It provided approximately 50,000 treatment services and 7,000 client and family impacts in fiscal year 2026. Learn more at onequesthealth.org. 

Media Contact:

Rick Wurth, Chief Executive Officer

859-292-4177

rwurth@onequesthealth.org