CityLink Center

It's been an exciting month at CityLink! In addition to Construction and Per Scholas graduations, we also celebrated a new class of Patient Care Assistants (PCAs) in partnership with UC Health. PCAs are the cornerstone of compassionate healthcare. They support patients with daily tasks, ensure their comfort and dignity, and enhance the medical team's ability to provide care. Here's what a few of our amazing graduates had to say about their experience and what they learned in the program!

The holiday season should be a joyous time, but for many facing financial hardships, it can be incredibly difficult. CityLink’s annual Thanksgiving Box Delivery is an opportunity to brighten the season for some of our neighbors and help them celebrate in their own meaningful way. ?? Sign up now at: bit.ly/CLCThanksgiving

Please help us welcome our new Development Director, Lori Valentine! Here's what she has to say about joining the team: "I have been a supporter of CityLink for years and have been blessed to volunteer for the last year and a half. It is such a privilege?to serve clients who are working?so hard to better their lives. The CityLink Model which looks at the whole person, versus just one area of a life, is unique and it works! The CityLink team of staff and volunteers has been so warm and welcoming, (and the popcorn they make every afternoon really hits!). I look forward to sharing the important mission of CityLink more broadly and getting to connect with others who are excited to join in helping lift up our amazing clients."

What makes a great mom..... In our community, we face a massive challenge with family separation, resulting in an overburdened foster care system. Long-term impacts of family separation affect children's academics, economic mobility, mental health, justice involvement, and even housing. Every Mother's Advocate launched in South Florida as a redemptive solution and has replicated their program across the country. EMA walks alongside mother's at risk of family separation with a Care Coordinator, a Volunteer Advocate, and a system of support. Through their program, over 85% of mothers are able to retain custody or be re-united with their children. Their compassionate approach views the mother as the solution and not the problem. CityLink Center launched this model to leverage our capacity of case management, volunteer engagement, and barrier removal services to support moms and families, recognizing that many of the mothers will also engage in our partners' career and vocational training to improve their economic future. Yesterday, we were extremely grateful to celebrate the graduation of our first 5 moms from the program. A huge thanks to the partnership with Hamilton County Job and Family Services and the financial support from Crossroads Church (Cincinnati, OH), Farmer Family Foundation, Andrew Jergens Foundation, Kids & Community, Charles H Dater Foundation, and Impact 100 Cincinnati for allowing us to fuel and scale this work. So what makes a great mom? Today we got to celebrate great moms who are overcoming barriers, investing in themselves, and building a future for their family. One of them shared, “EMA exists for woman who don’t have their children or are trying to get them back. Mothers who don’t have family or friends that are there for them through a difficult process or a struggle. EMA is what all mothers going through a child welfare case need. It’s no judgment, It’s supportive, and it’s for You not against You. You never feel alone. You’re prayed for. Your advocate gives you love, and positive energy. I’m honored to be one of the first moms apart of this and excited to see how far EMA will go!” That's a great mom making strides amidst a community of support.

What makes a great mom..... In our community, we face a massive challenge with family separation, resulting in an overburdened foster care system. Long-term impacts of family separation affect children's academics, economic mobility, mental health, justice involvement, and even housing. Every Mother's Advocate launched in South Florida as a redemptive solution and has replicated their program across the country. EMA walks alongside mother's at risk of family separation with a Care Coordinator, a Volunteer Advocate, and a system of support. Through their program, over 85% of mothers are able to retain custody or be re-united with their children. Their compassionate approach views the mother as the solution and not the problem. CityLink Center launched this model to leverage our capacity of case management, volunteer engagement, and barrier removal services to support moms and families, recognizing that many of the mothers will also engage in our partners' career and vocational training to improve their economic future. Yesterday, we were extremely grateful to celebrate the graduation of our first 5 moms from the program. A huge thanks to the partnership with Hamilton County Job and Family Services and the financial support from Crossroads Church (Cincinnati, OH), Farmer Family Foundation, Andrew Jergens Foundation, Kids & Community, Charles H Dater Foundation, and Impact 100 Cincinnati for allowing us to fuel and scale this work. So what makes a great mom? Today we got to celebrate great moms who are overcoming barriers, investing in themselves, and building a future for their family. One of them shared, “EMA exists for woman who don’t have their children or are trying to get them back. Mothers who don’t have family or friends that are there for them through a difficult process or a struggle. EMA is what all mothers going through a child welfare case need. It’s no judgment, It’s supportive, and it’s for You not against You. You never feel alone. You’re prayed for. Your advocate gives you love, and positive energy. I’m honored to be one of the first moms apart of this and excited to see how far EMA will go!” That's a great mom making strides amidst a community of support.

"Stay steadfast and unmovable, and I promise you, He will grant your every wish." These powerful words from Cynthia Booth, CEO of Emerge Manufacturing, deeply resonated with our clients yesterday. CityLink gathered for "The Road I Traveled," a tradition where program alumni who are now gainfully employed return to share their journeys and answer questions from those currently navigating similar paths. Our alumni agreed on two key pieces of advice: never give up, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. We can all learn a thing or two from them. Thank you, Cynthia, for generously sharing your time with us, and to our alumni whose willingness to foster a cycle of support truly connects us as a family.

We are excited to welcome Jesiah Brock, MPA to our team today. His role as Chief Program Officer leads and shapes our partnerships with our incredible collaborative, volunteer engagement, spiritual growth, and our client experience. Looking forward to Jesiah leading our team to greater depth of care and outcomes for our neighbors.

??? The finished product ??? We asked you to unleash your inner artists at MashUp?and you delivered!?This vibrant painting of a rocket ship blasting off, featuring the words "Be Strong and Courageous," will soon be displayed in one of our classrooms. It will serve as a powerful reminder of what's possible and inspire students throughout their journey here at CityLink. ??

Thanks to the incredible support we've received post-MashUp, we have OFFICIALLY surpassed our fundraising goal of $150,000! A heartfelt thank you to all of our sponsors—businesses that not only believe in our community but take action to invest in it. When you're looking for services or products, consider supporting the companies that support us! (Long list incoming) Business sponsors: CSJ Charitable Fund, JBM Packaging, eleeo brands, 84.51, A & A Wall Systems, Inc., Prasco, Model Group, HiFive Development Services, All Occasions Event Rental, Core Impact - Purpose-Driven Branding and Marketing, Alpine Valley PURE Service, SURE Mechanical, Frost Brown Todd, Prolocity, Bahl & Gaynor, Faith Financial Advisors, Inc., A Registered Investment Advisor, altafiber, Strauss Troy Food and drink sponsors: HighGrain Brewing, Tramonte & Sons, LLC, Nation Kitchen and Bar, Southern Grace Eats, BOL Acai Bar Food Truck, MashRoots Latin Street Food, @The Killer Brownie? Company, Maize Arepas and Bar, Just Q'in BBQ, Graeter's Ice Cream Artists: New Downbeat, Queen City Stunt Circus, Eric Cash, DJ Pillo, JONBOB, Valley Film Co., One Rock Taylor

"Life is a journey, not a destination." — Ralph Waldo Emerson Yesterday we got to celebrate Lynn paying off her car, one year ago we got to celebrate handing her the keys to this same car. She's on a journey, working hard and making things happen and we couldn't be more grateful to be a part of it. Go Lynn! Enjoy the journey.