City Gospel Mission’s Christmas Store: Santa's Urban Helpers

This winter, even the neediest kids in Cincinnati will find gifts to open Christmas morning. City Gospel Mission, CityCURE and over 100 Greater Cincinnati churches work together every holiday season to stock the “Christmas Store” located in Over-the-

Rhine with new toys and new clothing at affordable prices. The Christmas Store provides holiday gifts to 400 urban families and 1,200 children each December. Ed Perrine, CEO of City Gospel Mission says, “The holiday setting, the friendly volunteers who serve as personal shoppers and the free gift wrapping make families in need feel at ease during the holiday season, knowing that their children will receive quality presents. The Christmas Store provides hope and makes the holidays a little more enjoyable for those in need.”

Media Contact: Barbara Flick, bflick@jypublicrelations.com 513.388.4700 ext 3024

EXODUS Program Frees Men of Destructive Lifestyles

Living on the streets and with a deadly addiction to crack cocaine, Arick thought his life was without options, but City Gospel Mission's EXODUS program for men helped transform Arick into a whole new person: free of addictions and ready to lead a productive life again. The EXODUS program helps formerly incarcerated, addicted and disenfranchised men to rebuild their lives through holistic assessment, life skills training, job training and counseling. Program director, Sherman Bradley says, “EXODUS inspires the men to live purposefully and with a greater awareness of their own health and potential. Urban life has a strong lure towards drugs and crime. EXODUS lets these men know that they deserve a better life.”

Media Contact: Barbara Flick, bflick@jypublicrelations.com 513.388.4700 ext 3024

Latino Outreach Provides Job Skills, Language Training

The Latino population in the Greater Cincinnati area is rapidly increasing. City Gospel Mission's Quiosco Latino Help Center provides important services that promote the language development, job skills and education of the Latino community in the Greater Cincinnati area. Program director, Luis Diaz says, “Our ministry to the local Latino population instructs families on laws, schooling options and job counseling. Through our services, many Latino immigrants will learn to read and speak English and find their place as productive members of our society.”

Media Contact: Barbara Flick, bflick@jypublicrelations.com, 513.388.4700 ext 3024

Program Founder Had Courage to Change Lives, Even Her Own

No one understands “Having the Courage to Change” more than the program's founder, Lucreta Bowman, who spent the early years of her life trapped in a vicious cycle of drugs and crime. It is through her own experience of transformation that Lucreta felt motivated to establish an outreach program for adult women who just need support and assistance to break the chains of self-destruction. She says, “No matter what life has dealt you, no matter what mistakes you have made; there is always time and opportunities available to change if you can learn to believe in yourself.”

Media Contact: Barbara Flick, bflick@jypublicrelations.com 513.388.4700 ext.3024