When he entered a rehabilitation center in June 2018, Evan Van Skaik’s body was so beaten down by drugs and alcohol that he needed a walker to get around. When he began the Cincinnati Works JumpStart workshop in January 2019, his psyche was so beaten down that he struggled to answer even the simplest questions. […]
The JumpStart class from November 19-21 was unusually large but otherwise typical of the Members who came through Cincinnati Works in 2019: some flourished, some wilted, some took root but have not yet seen the fruits of their labor. Every Member of the class has access to a dedicated team at Cincinnati Works and an
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After five years of working in property management, Christian Ortiz knew what was coming when she fell behind on her rent last fall. “I have been the one delivering the eviction notice,” she said. “It changes everything for you.” Her leisurely job search suddenly took on more urgency. A friend referred Ortiz to Cincinnati Works
As an IT professional for more than 20 years, Rob Krueger has long appreciated the value of diligence and precision. Every line of code has a direct, tangible impact on a program. So, when a jail term caused Krueger to lose “everything but the clothes I was wearing when I went in,” he began to
The year he spent in solitary confinement left scars across the back of Angelo Robinson’s feet. Every trip to the shower required shackles, which tore through the skin around his ankles. He was reminded of the pain during a recent walk through downtown. Robinson was invited to the NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner at Duke Energy
As soon as she was eligible, Cindy Trabish began taking classes at Sinclair Community College through the Dayton Correctional Institute. Over the final five years of what became an eight-year prison term, she earned a half-dozen certificates in a variety of business subjects, as well as commendations from the state, county and city for her
Appearances can be deceiving, which is why Schwan’s Company invests thousands of dollars and countless hours in inspecting their production lines with ultrasound equipment. Every day, Tim Smith and a co-worker use expensive hand-held tools to listen for signs of wear-and-tear in the machines. “Predictive maintenance,” they call it. “You will hear a defect long
At 69 years old, Ed Patterson is a self-described “workaholic,” eager to turn in a full shift whenever possible. He is approaching retirement but plans to continue working part-time and perhaps volunteer in his spare time. “I gotta grind,” he said with a smile. Even in his younger days, when he could not resist the
We do not serve clients. We work with Members. We are partners in their search for meaningful employment and economic independence. Success looks different for each of them. For some, it is collecting their first paycheck or earning a promotion. For others, it is a home of their own or a beach vacation. We offer
From ‘broken’ to stable … and still striving In her role overseeing the paint department at a local Home Depot, Yolanda Gray meets a new cast of characters every day. She particularly enjoys helping young moms pick colors. Whether it is an expectant mother who is planning a nursery or a new mother with a