City Gospel Mission: 100 Years of Hope, Healing, and New Beginnings
Published August 25, 2025 by pgalums in
💌 City Gospel Mission: 100 Years of Hope, Healing, and New Beginnings
Breaking the Cycle of Poverty and Despair—One Life at a Time
In the heart of Cincinnati, a quiet revolution of hope is happening. For 100 years, City Gospel Mission has been a place where men, women, and families facing unimaginable challenges find not only shelter and food—but dignity, purpose, and a path forward. P&G Alumni Foundation is proud to partner with City Gospel Mission with their 2024 Grant Award. Here is how the partnership is paying it forward to generations to come.
Take Jonathan, for example.
“I was living in Las Vegas when my back gave out. No insurance. No income. I was basically crippled for two years. I moved to Cincinnati, living with my mom—just trying to survive on her Social Security. I wanted to work again, but I didn’t think anyone would hire me after being out for so long.”
That’s when Jonathan found JobsPlus, City Gospel Mission’s workforce readiness program. Through classes, resume help, interview coaching, and job fairs, Jonathan found more than just a job—he found hope.
“Now I’m working again. I can help my mom instead of the other way around. It feels like we’re doing pretty good. JobsPlus brought me back up again.”
Or meet Alvester, who lost his wife—his high school sweetheart of 30 years—and spiraled into homelessness and addiction.
“When she passed away, I lost everything—my home, my dignity. I went to rehab, and they told me about JobsPlus. It was one of the best decisions I ever made.”
With the help of mentors and staff who truly care, Alvester not only found a job—he’s been promoted, is training others, and even got his driver’s license back.
“They were on my side every step of the way. It’s not just about jobs. It’s about second chances, support, and believing in someone when they can’t believe in themselves.”
🔹 The Legacy of Service
Founded in 1924 by James N. Gamble of Procter & Gamble, City Gospel Mission has grown from a single downtown location to a $14 million organization transforming thousands of lives each year.
In the last two decades, they have completed 10 mergers and acquisitions, built new facilities, and launched game-changing programs like Whiz Kids (tutoring), Step Forward (recovery through running), and JobsPlus, now in its 30th year.
They are not just meeting needs—they are breaking generational cycles of poverty and despair.
🔹 Powered by People Who Care
None of this would be possible without a dedicated team of P&G alumni and the donations to the P&G Alumni Foundation:
- Barry Baker and Alumni Grant Champion, former Section Manager at P&G, is now the Executive VP and Chief Administrative Officer after 19 years of service.
- Chris Heiert, P&G retiree and former SVP of Olay, founded the Step Forward running program, empowering addiction recovery residents through training and races.
- In 2023, over 30 P&G staff and alumni volunteered regularly—as mentors, tutors, meal servers, and classroom teachers.
Thank you for standing with the P&G Alumni Foundation and City Gospel Mission—and for being part of this century-long journey of hope.