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Stories of Hope

Mentoring / Stories of Hope / Whiz Kids / Youth / Youth Mentoring /

Gayle & Madison

Over the past 5 years, Maddie’s mentor Gayle has seen her at her lowest. Dyslexia. Depression. Doubt. Fear. So sitting on a bench at the University of Cincinnati during the senior’s first college visit, reflecting on how far Maddie has come, Gayle was overcome with emotion. “There have been a lot of ups and downs,…

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Jobs / Stories of Hope /

Steve: A second chance

I had lived life for 40 years addicted to drugs. I started smoking marijuana at 12 years old. In 2016, I had been on the verge of suicide. I remember standing on the Main St. bridge in Hamilton, ready to jump. It was January 31st. I was high that day. A cop approached me. I…

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Food & Shelter / Stories of Hope /

Ricky: Back on his feet

After losing his apartment following prostate cancer surgery, Ricky came to the shelter looking for help getting back on his feet. After four months at the shelter, the army veteran was able to move back into an apartment in March. QUESTION: What was it like when you first walked in the doors here? RICKY: I…

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Jobs / Stories of Hope /

Gurney: God has opened doors

Gurney has battled alcoholism for many years, and he has been homeless on numerous occasions. Over the past several years, Gurney has gone back and forth from jail to Hope House Mission to the Genesis Recovery Center in Hamilton. After many arrests, Gurney tried to get sober one more time. This time, something has clicked.…

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Princesses Ballet / Stories of Hope / Youth /

Lilly & Katie: A dance can mean so much

When sisters Lilly and Katie joined our Princesses Ballet program, they were painfully shy. Lilly didn’t even have the nerve to try to dance. She sat and watched. The girls, who have health challenges, gradually became more comfortable under the guidance of site leader Grace Shivers, a former Cincinnati Ballet dancer. Despite cerebral palsy, low…

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Recovery / Stories of Hope /

Evan: Restored, Piece by Piece

Since joining our recovery program over a year ago, Evan has progressed gradually. He recently moved into the independent living phase of the program, is back in his son’s life and has a job. All he had to do was look inward and upward. I have a history of drug and alcohol use. However, that…

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Food & Shelter / Stories of Hope /

Hope starts with a meal

  David David is blind, so being homeless was hard and dangerous. At City Gospel Mission, he found the safety and help he needs. “It’s good to have shelter, especially at a place where you know you don’t have to fear anything, where you know you’re safe. And you don’t have to worry about where…

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Stories of Hope / Whiz Kids /

Tyler’s Story

The changes in Tyler’s life, socially and academically, show what can happen through a positive mentoring relationship between a caring adult and an at-risk youth. Tyler used to be a shy boy with poor grades. When Jackie became his Whiz Kids tutor and mentor, that all changed. Before he joined Whiz Kids, Tyler says, “I…

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