City Gospel Mission

I was living on the streets in over the rhine when I started using the services provided by City Gospel Mission. I was in the depths of a hopeless addiction to heroin and would not have eaten had it not been for the stability and availability of this program and their willingness to help without judging. I would not spend money on food because at that time it did not mean enough to me to eat. This program saved my life and helped to nourish me physically until I could be open enough to accept spiritual help. Thank you so much for all you do. Even for those that do not live in your inpatient residences. I had another daughter drug free I currently work in court and corrections trying to be a beacon of hope because of your organization and those that came after you in my life.

City Gospel Mission saved my life! Having been in the grips of alcohol and drug addiction for nearly 20 years and after having tried numerous secular rehabilitation programs unsuccessfully, I was given a new lease on life. Unlike the other programs I tried, the Exodus program at the CGM is a faith based program and it showed me that it was more than just about being sober, it was about lifestyle transformation. Thanks to the professional staff, the love and care of the countless volunteers and mentors, and the holistic approach in which the Exodus program takes, I am alive again and ready to walk out the path that God has set for me!

I've been involved with the City Gospel Mission since the mid 1980's. A lot has transpired since then. I never cease to marvel at what the Lord has done through this ministry to change the lives of our community's disadvantaged. Children are mentored through Whiz Kids Tutoring and other programs that give them an alternative to the bleak future they found themselves in. They even have a ballet program theat establishes self worth and Godly examples for young women to aspire to. Adult men have an Exodus program that gives temporary housing with a purpose. Study programs and job skills programs help prepare them for the day they graduate and re-enter the "outside world". God's principles are taught that make a fundamental transformation in who they are and what motivates them. They are given the opportunity to become new men who are ready to face the challenges that society presents and win in the process. The women's program is similar; but it's tailored to the unique needs and challenges that women face. The staff that serve these women, men and children are truly remarkable. Their selfless committment to the task God has called them to is inspiring. They have literally played a pivital role in pulling desperate people back from the precipace. It's been an honor to be associated with these heros. City Gospel Mission has made a significant difference in our community by helping it's members who need it most.

When moving to Cincinnati over 7 years ago I wanted to find an organization to involve myself with that focused their efforts on the less fortunate. Some people can’t control their environment or the cards that are dealt to them. Others make poor decisions. Regardless, I felt that both groups need and deserve help from the community they live in. I reached out to several organizations to discuss my desire to help. From the initial conversation with City Gospel Mission, their professionalism and passion caught my eye. Once I truly understood what CGM was about, I knew I found my home. I knew their speedy responsiveness to my inquiries and the ability to plug me in quickly had to translate to dedicated people serving our community and those of need. I was correct.

My roles over the years have been assisting at events, whether celebratory or banquet/fundraising. At these events, my part of volunteering is helpful but miniscule compared to what City Gospel Mission and staff do for others. It is truly hard to articulate in words the difference that CGM has made in peoples lives. I have witnessed this first hand from people on stage speaking to their struggles and accomplishments…from kids who had everything stacked against them and received the needed guidance, confidence and education to grow into productive members of society ….to former homeless people who ran in the flying pig and followed through on a long term promise they made to themselves….to recovering addicts who completely turned their lives around in the Exodus program to then volunteer and help others heading down the previous path they once walked. All are truly remarkable stories and you have to attend one of the many events to truly understand how City Gospel Mission impacts those around us.

The above is a small example of what I have witnessed over the years and I applaud the people of City Gospel Mission. We all need to do our part to help organizations like City Gospel Mission. They do their part and more to help our community.

Thank you so much City Gospel Mission…
I have personal been involved with our Whiz Kids site for 3 years now as Site Administrator and Jesus Time Coordinator. My husband actually started the site, and his passion and love for the program quickly rubbed off on me. I remember very clearly at our initial training how many times I was told that I would simply fall in love with these kids and just as clearly I remember thinking, well that’s neat for the tutors but since I’m not actually going to tutor, I can’t imagine that I would have a relationship or actually grow very close with any one of them. I could not have been more wrong!! A month into our first year I had totally fallen in love with each and every child!! And not only our more challenging ones, but especially our more challenging ones!! I found myself talking about these kids at all times of the day, with just about who ever wanted to listen. In fact every Thursday I spent an hour on the phone with my friend who tutored and all we talked about was how great Whiz Kids went the night before. Weather it was about how funny one of the kids are or which one was struggling in one area more than another, I couldn’t believe how invested into their little lives I was already. There is nothing in this world like looking at a child’s face when you teach something about Jesus that they had never heard before. It’s priceless! I am so thankful to be a blessing and to be blessed by these children each week.
And so glad that we have the opportunity to have the program at our church.Not only do my husband and I serve but also our two daughters and my mother-in-law serve every week as well. Whiz Kids has kind of taken over our whole family and we’re very grateful for that. Dawn Parker

Thank you so much City Gospel Mission…
I have personal been involved with our Whiz Kids site for 3 years now as Site Administrator and Jesus Time Coordinator. My husband actually started the site, and his passion and love for the program quickly rubbed off on me. I remember very clearly at our initial training how many times I was told that I would simply fall in love with these kids and just as clearly I remember thinking, well that’s neat for the tutors but since I’m not actually going to tutor, I can’t imagine that I would have a relationship or actually grow very close with any one of the kids. I could not have been more wrong!! A month into our first year I had totally fallen in love with each and every child!! And not only our more challenging ones, but especially our more challenging ones!! I found myself talking about these kids at all times of the day, with just about who ever wanted to listen. In fact every Thursday I spent an hour on the phone with my friend who tutored and all we talked about was how great Whiz Kids went the night before. Weather it was about how funny one of the kids are or which one was struggling in one area more than another, I couldn’t believe how invested into their little lives I was already. There is nothing in this world like looking at a child’s face when you teach something about Jesus that they had never heard before. It’s priceless! I am so thankful to be a blessing and to be blessed by these children each week.
And so glad that we have the opportunity to have the program at our church.Not only do my husband and I serve but also our two daughters and my mother-in-law serve every week as well. Whiz Kids has kind of taken over our whole family and we’re very grateful for that. Dawn Parker

Three years ago I reluctantly decided to become a tutor for Whiz Kids which is a program that is ran by City Gospel Mission. In all honesty I only became a tutor because I couldn't tell my good friend no. As each year goes by I look back and realize that I have been changed and blessed by the entire experience. I have developed a bond and love for my Whiz Kid that I didn't realize possible. It wasn't always easy in the beginning, but I am blown away at the changes I have seen in her life just by the hour a week we spent in tutoring. After proper training I became a mentor and was able to continue to grow the relationship and the impact on both of our lives. Every instance where I have had the opportunity to be a part of a City Gospel event I am so very pleased and blessed. Thank you for changing my life and many young peoples lives. I know that the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area is a better place because of the little lives that are being changed, one hour at a time.

I began tutoring a year ago with Whiz Kids and was assigned to a 3rd grade boy at JP Parker. He was bright, but did not like to work and got frustrated quickly. He rarely completed his homework. So, instead of teaching him about academics, my role was to encourage him to be diligent and persevere. I also learned that he wanted to learn to swim as he was attending Kings Dominion. My parents live in a retirement home with a beautiful pool that was close to my student's neighborhood. I became a mentor with the ability to drive him places.

Weekly, I'd take him over to the pool and three of us would swim, my elderly mother, me and my student. It was a treat for all three of us to play in the water. Similar to his situation at school, he was easily frustrated when he could not float, or swim the width of the pool. The same principles, diligence and perseverance were used in this endeavor. While the student certainly benefited as he learned to swim, his visit and progress brought tremendous joy to my mother and the other people at the retirement home.

The Cincinnati City Gospel Mission's Whiz Kids program helps me meet one of a "Buck List" items of giving back to the community. There is no better way to help the community than to help the children, and Whiz KIds has a GREAT structured tutoring program.

I was first connected with City Gospel Mission in November of 2009 when I volunteered with the annual Thanksgiving Meal at the Duke Energy Center. In early 2010 I began mentoring a young woman in the women’s recovery program, Having the Courage to Change (HTCTC). I have also given of my time assisting the Intake Coordinator for the ministry with administrative tasks. I look forward to the time I spend at HTCTC each week. This organization is doing an incredible job of showing God's love in practical ways to hurting people. In all the involvement I've had with other non profits, the holistic approach of the women's recovery program is by far the best I've seen. The women in the recovery program have a deep desire for a mentor, but there is a shortage of Christian women willing to give of them selves in this way. I would encourage anyone who is interested in mentoring a man or woman from one of City Gospel Missions recovery programs to give it a try. It is a very rewarding experience and the participants in the programs appreciate it so much. City Gospel Mission provides Understanding Poverty training for new volunteers that is outstanding as well. I learned so much from this training and was emotionally moved by the information presented that day. I plan to continue my involvement with City Gospel Mission for a long time.

Recently spending much time at City Gospel Mission, I have specifically spent a majority of my time volunteering at Having the Courage to Change. This is a program, within City Gospel Mission, for women in recovery. As the team there strives to provide the women with a recovery that embraces a holistic approach, I was impressed at how diligent they are in meeting the needs of each individual especially considering the amount of women within the program. Fellowshiping with the women, I heard only positive and uplifting remarks regarding their experience at HTCTC, as well as City Gospel Mission. Each mentioned how grateful they were for City Gospel Mission and Having the Courage to Change, explaining that without this ministry they are uncertain of where they would be today. I would affirm such praises, and would give City Gospel Mission, as well as its programs, a review of excellence, as it seeks to provide care "one life at a time" and is doing so efficiently and effectively.