CINCINNATI — With many job openings right now, one may think that people would be jumping on those opportunities. But it’s been a challenge for those who don’t have the resources or means to get the job they want.

What You Need To Know

  • According to the City of Cincinnati’s 2021 Climate Equity Indicators Report, $15,000 to $34,999 is the average income for people who live there, and 42% of residents live in poverty

  • Third Presbyterian Church’s Hope Center offers financial literacy, career coaching and even courses on basic computer training 

  • They hope the resources not only build equity but also provide a place for people to get the resources they need without having to travel across town

That’s why one new organization in southwest Ohio is stepping up to help.

Helping people is what Te’Airea Powell loves to do. She’s fulfilling that passion at the Third Presbyterian Church’s Hope Center in Cincinnati’s East Westwood community. Financial literacy, career coaching and even courses on basic computer training are just some of the free services they offer. 

“Most people think that these are basic technologies or things that everyone has access to, but many people don’t that’s why we have the different disadvantages we have in the city,” she said. 

Powell said that these services are essential for this community. According to the City of Cincinnati’s 2021 Climate Equity Indicators Report, $15,000 to $34,999 is the average income for people who live there, and 42% of residents live in poverty. 

“Depending on what zip code you live in, you might not have the same lifestyle as someone in a different part of the city simply because you don’t have access to WiFi, because you don’t have a computer, because you don’t know how to do a resume so it’s harder for you to apply for a different caliber of jobs,” she said. 

Rodney Christian has been working with Powell to make sure their neighbors get the resources they need to succeed. Christian is the president of the East Westwood council who helped get the Hope Center off the ground. And as someone who grew up in East Westwood, he said he knows the importance of helping those in need. 

“I was blessed to cross paths with a couple people who gave me hope and I always felt like that was a big spark in my life,” he said. 

Through the services offered here at the Hope Center Powell and Christian hope to not only build equity but also provide a place for people to get the resources they need without having to travel across town. And ultimately they hope to set an example for other communities to follow suit.

“Let other communities know that we don’t have to wait for other people to help us,” she said. “We can help ourselves within our own communities and we actually need a lot of resource centers in a whole bunch of different communities so that the residents have access to those.”

The Hope Center is currently in need of volunteers. For more information, click here.