Left to right: Colleen Johansen, Marvin Lewis, Brad Johansen and Nick Lachey.

Joel Bokelman is President of ChangingGears, a CityLink partner organization that helps people solve their transportation needs through low-cost car purchasing programs.

Explain how ChangingGears helps people, and how it works with CityLink.

ChangingGears provides affordable vehicles for people that are working their way out of poverty by repairing donated vehicles and selling them to our clients at a fair price with a no-interest loan. We also offer our clients vehicle education, repairs and maintenance to make sure their vehicle remains a blessing rather than becoming a burden. ChangingGears fits toward the end of the CityLink process, so after a CityLink client has overcome the barriers of employment, financial education and others, they are ready to take on vehicle ownership and experience the benefits that come with private transportation.

Why did you commit to CityLink?

Whenever I read about the challenges facing so many people in this city, I’m always overwhelmed by size and complexity of this problem. And I’m convinced that a holistic care model like CityLink’s is the only sustainable solution. So joining CityLink is an awesome opportunity that allows us to focus on meeting transportation needs for our clients, and know they have a real chance to break the cycle of poverty because they are also working to overcome other barriers at the same time.

What’s something most people don’t know about people classified as “working poor?”

These people work hard, but other barriers in their lives such as transportation, education and childcare prevent them from being able to move from entry-level jobs that just don’t pay enough to support a family to higher paying jobs that bring them to economic self-sufficiency. (Here’s a PDF link to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ “Profile of the Working Poor,” a document that provides a detailed definition of the term “working poor.”)

Visitors walk around the second floor during Crossroads Game Changers vision tours.

Vision tour participants, standing in what will become the office area, listen to a tour guide explain partner organizations and their roles within CityLink.

Walls and steel framing are in place for the CityLink Center lobby.

Framing is complete for offices and classrooms.

This is the view of the skylight from the second floor. The two-story skylight will illuminate a common area in front of partner office space.

Crossroads Game Changers vision tour participants leave hand-written prayers on the walls where CityLink’s Health & Wellness area will be.

Go to our page on the AmeriCorps site to find out more details and apply.

Help CityLink partner Cincinnati Works raise up to $10,000 this week through GE’s What Works Project. Here’s how:

• Step One: GO TO celebratewhatworks.com
• Step Two: Under Support, Click Like GE on Facebook. This generates a one- time $1 donation.
• Step Three: HEART a photo. This generates a $1 donation, and you can do this once a day.
• Step Four: ADD a photo and follow steps. This generates a $1 donation, and you can do this once a day.

The What Works Project shifts America’s focus from what isn’t working to what IS working, and through the power of positivity, helps fund organizations that are supporting American jobs. Cincinnati Works is the featured nonprofit organization of the week.

The main entrance begins to take shape.

Workers build one of the main entrance walls.

A freshly-poured floor cures.

Duct work awaits installation.

Doors open at 7pm, and the concert begins at 8pm. You have three ticket options:

• VIP seats: $100. This gets you into a green room party before the show, with light bites and refreshments from 7-8pm. You’ll also get a seat in the first 5 rows and a commemorative poster.
• Corporate Boxes: $50/ticket. Bring your friends and party all night—there’s one 10-person box and eight 5-person boxes.
• General Admission: $35. Enjoy festival seating, cash bar and refreshments.

Space is limited. Get tickets at rockthistown.tv.

Tickets usually sell out early for this event, so reserve your tickets online or over the phone at 513.398.2460.  Tickets are $75 each, $65 each if you buy two or more. Party for a Purpose takes place from 7:30pm to midnight on Friday, April 13. Must be 21 and over to attend.