Transportation can often be a significant hurdle for individuals seeking to improve their lives and escape poverty. In Cincinnati, many residents face the challenge of needing a reliable vehicle to access job opportunities, especially those located outside of easily accessible public transport routes. Recognizing this critical need, the City Link Car Program, in partnership with organizations like Changing Gears, is making a tangible difference in the lives of Cincinnatians.
For Johnny Ballard Jr., a Cincinnati resident with a background in the culinary industry, the transition to a construction career was a step towards greater stability. However, this career shift presented a transportation problem. Construction sites are often scattered across the region, making bus travel impractical and time-consuming. Like many others, Ballard relied on public transportation, but knew it wouldn’t suffice for his new career path.
His situation transformed when he secured a position with Turner Construction Co. and, crucially, gained access to a 2007 Honda Accord through Changing Gears, a key partner in the city link car program network. “It’s been one of the biggest blessings,” Ballard stated, emphasizing the profound impact of reliable transportation. “It gives me a bigger window and bigger opportunities so I can be able to move and prosper.”
Exterior of Changing Gears building, a key organization within the City Link car program initiative, showcasing its commitment to providing vehicle access for Cincinnati residents.
Since 2013, Changing Gears has operated with a mission to empower individuals to overcome poverty by providing access to affordable and dependable vehicles. Beyond just selling cars, the organization equips clients with essential skills in budgeting for car ownership and performing basic vehicle maintenance, ensuring long-term self-sufficiency.
Building upon this foundation, Changing Gears launched a new initiative that further strengthens the city link car program: a bridge program designed to address the immediate transportation needs of job seekers. This program is specifically tailored for individuals who require a car to secure employment but are not yet in a financial position to purchase one outright.
Joel Bokelman, the founder and executive director of Changing Gears, explained that for a monthly fee of $200 over nine months, participants in the bridge program gain access to a reliable vehicle. This allows them to commute to work, earn income, and save towards purchasing their own car from a reputable dealership in the future. Bokelman highlights the affordability of the program, noting it is significantly less expensive than renting a car, especially considering that standard maintenance is included in the monthly fee.
“At the end, the idea is they’re able to go and purchase their own vehicle,” Bokelman elaborated. “Our goal at the end is that they’re able to get a loan to purchase a $10,000 car.”
The bridge program effectively tackles a persistent dilemma faced by many seeking to escape poverty, as Johnmark Oudersluys, executive director of CityLink Center, a central hub for collaborative programs and a partner organization of Changing Gears, points out. “We’ve been wrestling with this chicken and egg problem,” Oudersluys said. “You need the car to get the job. You need the job to get the car.” The city link car program, through initiatives like Changing Gears’ bridge program, directly addresses this very challenge.
Making Life ‘Smoother’ Through Reliable Transportation
Johnny Ballard Jr.’s experience perfectly illustrates this “chicken and egg” problem. While he managed to get by with his culinary job in Downtown Cincinnati and acknowledged there’s no shame in using public transportation, it presented significant limitations.
The time spent commuting on buses was extensive, and reaching construction sites, often located in areas not well-served by public transit, was simply not feasible. The car provided by Changing Gears through the city link car program acted as a catalyst, removing these obstacles and opening up new possibilities.
“I was able to provide and contribute to my household prior,” Ballard explained. “But since I got this new job opportunity, new career opportunity, my life has become a bit more smoother.” The reliability of personal transportation has not only eased his daily commute but also reduced stress and improved his overall quality of life.
Changing Gears currently operates a fleet of 10 vehicles dedicated to its bridge program and is already assisting four clients, including Ballard. Notably, all four are graduates of CityLink’s Cornerstone Construction Training program, further highlighting the strong partnership within the city link car program ecosystem.
Inside the Changing Gears garage, located near CityLink Center, showcasing their facilities for vehicle maintenance and repair, essential for supporting the City Link car program participants.
Johnmark Oudersluys emphasizes that private transportation is particularly crucial in the construction industry. He notes that of the ten graduates from the Cornerstone program in late June, a significant majority required the assistance of Changing Gears in some form. Beyond the bridge program, one graduate already owned a car purchased through Changing Gears, and another utilized their repair program to get their existing vehicle back on the road.
“Sixty percent of those clients needed Changing Gears to be able to effectively enter the construction industry,” Oudersluys stated. “And four out of 10 were bridge program clients.” This statistic underscores the vital role of the city link car program and its partner organizations in facilitating economic mobility within Cincinnati.
CityLink’s overarching mission is to unite various partner programs to empower individuals to work their way out of poverty. The collaboration between Cornerstone Construction and Changing Gears, as part of the broader city link car program network, is demonstrating promising results in achieving this goal.
Oudersluys shared that some Cornerstone training graduates have transitioned from unemployment to earning approximately $17 per hour, a significant increase made possible by the vehicle access facilitated through Changing Gears.
‘It Came Right On Time’ – A Story of Timely Support
Johnny Ballard Jr.’s personal financial gains are also substantial. He reported an increase in his hourly wage from around $15 in his previous culinary role to nearly $20 as a laborer apprentice in construction.
This income boost, combined with the reliable transportation provided by the city link car program, has brought significant financial relief to Ballard and his family.
“I don’t have to think about it and focus on what do I need to pay, what needs to be paid first,” Ballard said, describing the reduced financial stress. “None of that. I just go ahead, get the checks, give them to the missus, and whatever needs to be paid is paid. No stress.”
Looking ahead, Changing Gears aims to expand the bridge program, with a goal of operating a fleet of 50 vehicles. This expansion would allow the city link car program, through Changing Gears, to support graduates from training programs across diverse industries, broadening its reach and impact within the Cincinnati community.
“It is amazing to be part of a collaborative where we can see a need in the community, realize and hear a need from our clients and then work together in unique ways to launch a solution,” Oudersluys reflected, highlighting the power of partnership in addressing complex social challenges.
Johnny Ballard Jr. inside the Honda Accord he received through the Changing Gears bridge program, a testament to the positive impact of the City Link car program on individual lives.
Johnny Ballard Jr. encapsulates the transformative effect of the program: “It’s been the biggest blessing that I got in a long time, and it came right on time,” he said. “It’s been awesome. I love. I love it. I really do.” His story is just one example of how the city link car program is driving positive change and economic opportunity for residents across Cincinnati.
For more information about Changing Gears, please visit Changing Gears official website.
Learn more about CityLink Center’s Cornerstone Construction Training program at Cornerstone Construction Training official website.
