CINCINNATI, Ohio — Homelessness is an issue all across the communities in our state. In Cincinnati, homeless people roam the streets.
But one man has created a bridge between an organization and those least likely to ask for help.
- The Jobs Van picks up 10 homeless people several times a week to pick up trash around downtown Cincinnati communities
- Each participant is given a hot lunch and $45 for the day’s work
- Since starting a year and a half ago, 19 participants have secured permanent jobs, over 1800 riders have participated and almost 800 miles of roads have been cleaned
Jim Cira drives the City Gospel Mission van around downtown Cincinnati three to four times a week, looking for homeless people to pick up.
It’s a job he never saw himself in after 20 years in finance.
“To be honest, my wife thought I was crazy, picking up ten random people off the streets and picking up trash," Cira, the Jobs Van program manager said. "After a couple of days, she said it sounds like this job was made for you.”
And that’s exactly what Cira does. He picks up 10 homeless people, giving them a chance to work for the day picking up trash in the downtown and Over the Rhine areas —taking home $45 in their pockets, and giving them a hot lunch too.
“Jim’s a great guy," said Kenny Young, Jobs Van participant. "Good to work with, and make money.”
It’s a 16-degree wind chill day — almost too cold to go out. But Cira knows how much the homeless community counts on him.
“One thing that they get from me is consistency," Cira said. "I always show up, I’m always there. If I say I’m going to be there to take them to an appointment, I’m there.”
And so far, almost a year and a half into the Jobs Van project, 19 homeless participants have permanent jobs.
“If it was just one person, it would be worth it to me," Cira said. "But 19? I can’t believe it some days.”
Since last July, the program has cleaned almost 800 miles worth of roads in the Cincinnati area, served almost 2,000 riders and connected more than 150 riders with services.
And for Cira, it’s brought an unexpected sense of companionship.
“I didn’t know how easily it would be for me to get connected with them and to feel for them and I consider them my friends," Cira said. "When I’m in meetings, people ask me how do I refer to them? Clients? Participants? I said friends, I refer to them as friends. And that’s just something I honestly, authentically believe that we are friends. And so, it’s hard to see your friends suffer.”
It’s mutual for this group. Many of them see Cira as a person to lean on.
“You can ask Jim about anything and he’ll give you an honest answer," said Chris Beck, a Jobs Van participant. "He’ll tell you the truth. He’ll help you when you need help.”
“I hope that they get the sense that I genuinely care about them," Cira said.
And picking up trash gives them purpose —something to do to make money rather than panhandling.
“It makes a lot easier on these days that I get to do this instead of going out and try to fly," Beck said. "I mean I can make money flying, but it’s hard.”
Cira is glad to help them, because he is hopeful it will lead them to a better life.
“I think it’s very important to them that other people understand that they’re just people like them," Cira said. "And that they need love and compassion and kindness, just as anybody does. They get that through this program and they’re very grateful for it.”
And he’ll be out there as long as it takes to get them the help they need.
“I feel like this is a calling for me," Cira said. "And I feel like I need to be out here.”
If you would like to donate to help the Jobs Van project, you can donate by visiting the GeneroCity 513 or City Gospel Mission websites.
Cira also takes any clothing donations at City Gospel Mission and says the most needed article of clothing is socks.
City Gospel Mission operates the Jobs Van as part of GeneroCity 513 – a collaboration that includes 3CDC, Downtown Cincinnati Inc., the City of Cincinnati, Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services, and Strategies to End Homelessness.
