Generational Breakthrough: Latoya’s Journey
Empowered Journey
When Latoya first came to CityLink back in 2018, she was filled with determination - and faith. A close friend had just purchased his car through ChangingGears, and the pride he felt inspired her to take her own step forward. At the time, Latoya had just started her dream job working in education at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, all while finishing her degree at Cincinnati State.
Every day, she caught multiple buses from Tri-County to Central Parkway - long commutes that tested her energy and limited her opportunities. “I was doing everything I could to grow,” Latoya remembers, “but transportation was really holding me back.”
Through CityLink, Latoya dove into financial literacy classes and learned valuable money management skills. She completed her “sweat equity” hours - detailing cars and even learning how to change her own tire. Those experiences gave her confidence and a sense of ownership. And soon, through the ChangingGears Vehicle Purchase Program, Latoya was finally able to purchase a reliable car.
What touched her most wasn’t just the vehicle - it was the compassion and care that came with it. Latoya still remembers Eric Dallas and his ever-present smile. “The kindness and love I felt were amazing,” she says. “It wasn’t just about the car - it was about community.” When she opened her glove box for the first time and found a $25 gas card, she was moved to tears. “It was just the icing on the cake,” she says. “That small act helped me fuel my car for the very first time.”
Latoya’s goal was simple but powerful: to build stability, pay off her car, and keep moving forward. And she did just that. She’s still driving the same vehicle today, more than six years later.
Now, Latoya is thriving. She’s an Academic Coach at Cincinnati State, pursuing her second master’s degree, and mentoring students on a national level. She’s passionate about helping others the way she was helped. “I feel like I’m in an awesome season,” she says. “Now I get to lift others up, too.”
But her story runs deeper than career success. Latoya grew up in public housing in Lincoln Heights, raised by a single mother. Through faith and hard work, she’s broken the generational cycle of poverty in her family. “With God’s help, I got myself out of poverty,” she says. “Having this vehicle and the support from ChangingGears changed everything.”
Today, Latoya is living proof that transformation is possible. She believes deeply in the power of holistic support - the same kind that helped her build a new future. “CityLink offers such great help, and it’s free,” she shares. “If you have the opportunity, take it. Use the resources, meet people, and receive the help that’s available. Never shy away from accepting support - it could change your life.”
Faith remains central to Latoya’s story. “My relationship with God is everything,” she says. “He used people to help me, and I believe the car I got was meant for me.”
What began as a search for reliable transportation became something much greater. For Latoya, ChangingGears wasn’t just about getting from point A to point B - it was about moving from survival to success, and from success to significance. Her journey stands as a shining example of generational breakthrough - proof that with faith, community, and opportunity, lives can truly change for good.
