Meet “Perseverance”

Frank's Story

Frank showed up for his Findlay Culinary Training graduation soaked from head to toe. After riding the bus for an hour to get downtown, he rushed to the Red Bike station just as it started to rain. He threw a poncho over his chef clothes, but the thin plastic couldn’t keep him dry in the downpour. He arrived minutes before the graduation started, and was able to borrow some dry clothes from CityLink Center to attend.

Despite being cold and wet, he was in a great mood. Not only was he graduating from the 16-week program, but he was 3 days away from purchasing a car from ChangingGears. Biking through rain to get to work would be a thing of the past.

As a re-entry client, Frank first heard about CityLink Center through a ministry program. He wanted to pursue a career change through culinary training, and was thrilled to find a local program in Cincinnati.

When asked how having a car impacted his life, he answered “there’s a shorter list of what it didn’t impact.” For Frank, car ownership saved him time and increased his income.

His morning commute time, which used to include buses, walking and bike shares, decreased almost 70%. Being reduced from 2 hours to now only 35 minutes, gives Frank 3 hours a day back in personal time. Frank also reports, “my legs and feet are happier.”

Having his own transportation is critical to working in the restaurant industry because many shifts include nights and weekends. Prior to buying a car, his work hours were limited to the bus schedule or how far he could walk. Frank is now able to capitalize on more work opportunities and estimates that his income increased by 30% simply because he can work the hours his job requires.

Upon receiving his silver Toyota Yaris, Frank immediately named her Perseverance to remind him of how he persevered through challenges to get where he is today.