Stories of Hope Archives - Page 8 of 9

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More Hope Than Ever

When Zach crossed the finish line of the Flying Pig half-marathon, the accomplishment was more than a mile marker of physical fitness. It put an exclamation point on a year of sobriety after struggling with an addiction to heroin since high school. Zach had been to several other recovery programs without success before coming to…

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Leon: A Changed Life

A few years ago, Leon was diagnosed with chronic heart failure, and he had spent time in the City Gospel Mission homeless shelter. “It was challenging being homeless and being sick at the same time and trying to keep a job,” says the 48-year-old. Then he went to JobsPlus, the employment network of City Gospel…

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Don’s Story

Don has done so well since coming to stay at the shelter that he was presented the Jimmy Render Award at the annual Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition banquet. The award is given to a homeless or formerly homeless person who has shown great perseverance and has given back to the community. Says Don, “I’m humbled and thankful…

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Deborah: Heartache and Hope

This Christmas will be 4-year-old Carlos’ first without his father, who died in a car accident in March. But his grandmother, Deborah, is making sure his Christmas will be filled with joy and love. Deborah is looking forward to Christmas, especially shopping at our Christmas Store for Carlos, because it’s going to provide a needed dose of happiness in a…

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Jessica: A mother and family restored

Thanks to our new transitional housing program, which your support makes possible, recovery graduate Jessica and her four kids have the space and time to become a family again. When Jessica entered our residential recovery program in March 2015, she had to give up her four kids. In February, she officially regained custody of her…

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Blessings on top of blessings

Larry went from homeless to getting his own apartment to getting a job in just a few months. “I’m so blessed it really overwhelms me,” Larry says. It has been a whirlwind 2015 for Larry. He came to stay at the City Gospel Mission shelter because he says he “needed structure.” After just a month…

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Tony’s story – This is one of the best times of my life

“This is one of the best times of my life.” After a childhood with no father present, Tony followed what he had seen as a child – alcohol abuse. His addiction resulted in incarceration at River City Correctional Center. While there, he decided to own his problem and genuinely work on creating a new life.…

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Tim: A Whole New Beginning

“It’s just an amazing feeling to have people that love you.” When Tim had no place to live, City Gospel Mission was there. Grateful for that, he is giving back as a volunteer, helping other shelter guests get acclimated to the Mission. Staff helped Tim find a place of his own and he moved out…

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Sabrina’s Story

Whiz Kid Sabrina recently was asked by her eighth-grade teacher to list three heroes for a writing assignment. Here is what she wrote: “My mentor, because she is always there for me. (Teaching assistant) Mr. Hill, because he has had problems like me and helps me. The Lord, because He is always there for me, and…

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Norvelin’s Story

“I was scared of reading. Then I learned to read a lot better because of Whiz Kids.” For Norvelin, the impact Whiz Kids tutoring is having on his life goes much deeper than just learning how to read better. It’s impacting his entire family positively. Norvelin often interprets for his parents. They are from Guatemala…