Stories of Hope Archives - Page 7 of 9

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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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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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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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Boston: His faith brings calm in the storms

My faith provides a calm in the face of any storm. And there have been some awfully powerful storms. I had a great career in banking. Then I went through a difficult divorce. Shortly after, I had a bad infection in my leg which developed into bone cancer. I ran out of money quickly. My…

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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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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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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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Lori: From Homeless to Hired

At the end of summer 2018, I was at the absolute bottom. I was struggling with addiction for a few years, which eventually made me lose where I was living. I was living under a bridge near the Jack Casino. I never thought that would happen to me. Some people would walk past me and…

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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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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…