About GeneroCity 513

GeneroCity 513 is an initiative aimed at helping individuals who have been driven to panhandling, including those facing unfortunate circumstances like homelessness, addiction and mental illness. Utilizing a multi-faceted approach, GeneroCity 513 has been designed to offer a positive alternative to panhandling, help connect panhandlers to social service agencies, and provide strategic case management to the most visible homeless persons in downtown Cincinnati. The initiative’s programs include a Jobs Van and Outreach Workers.

GeneroCity 513 is a partnership between the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC), Downtown Cincinnati Inc. (DCI), the City of Cincinnati, City Gospel Mission (CGM), Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services (GCBHS), and Strategies to End Homelessness.

The initiative's name is a nod to the generous spirit of those that call Cincinnati (or 'the 513') home. GeneroCity 513 has the power to make change at an exponential level - individual donations will support the outreach work that will lead to changing lives, all of which will create a ripple effect that will have a lasting impact on our city.

JOBS VAN

OPERATED BY CITY GOSPEL MISSION

The Jobs Van operates three days per week, picking up 10 individuals each day and transporting them to a predetermined route near downtown. The Jobs Van program offers a positive alternative to panhandling and helps connect panhandlers to social service agencies that provide opportunities for shelter, employment, and mental health and substance abuse services. Pick-ups are made at various locations in downtown Cincinnati and Over-the-Rhine. Participants engage in community beautification efforts and are provided a free lunch during their shift. At the conclusion of their shift, participants are paid $9/hour in cash for their labor.

CONTACT

For additional information regarding the Jobs Van program, please contact Gerald Cooper at (513) 345-1065. 

PICK-UP HOURS

8:30 AM - 9:30 AM

WORK Hours

Tues-Fri 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

YTD PROGRAM STATS

TOTAL JOBS VAN RIDERS - 235

RIDERS CONNECTED WITH PERMANENT EMPLOYMENT - 0

RIDERS CONNECTED TO OTHER RESOURCES - 29

MILES CLEANED - 76

BAGS OF TRASH COLLECTED - 329

*Note: Data reflective of January 1, 2025 to February 28, 2025

Outreach

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GCBHS

In partnership with Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services (GCBHS), the GeneroCity 513 program employs four full-time Outreach Workers who have the ability to provide assistance to individuals on the street, regardless of their location, mental state, sobriety or housing situation. The GeneroCity 513 Outreach Workers supplement the outreach work being done by GCBHS' PATH Team.

The GeneroCity 513 Outreach Team helps connect our neighbors in need with other social service agencies that can help improve their quality of life, focusing on areas such as substance abuse and addiction services, mental health services, permanent employment, housing and more.

OUTREACH TEAM HOURS:

The GeneroCity 513 Outreach Team operates seven days a week in downtown Cincinnati and Over-the-Rhine. Their hours are as follows, but are subject to change based on large events. Please note that hours change seasonally.

MONDAY - FRIDAY
7a-9p

SATURDAY & SUNDAY
9a-7p

CONTACT:

For additional information on outreach services, please call the Outreach Hotline:

(513) 498-6192

YTD OUTREACH STATS

TOTAL NUMBER OF ENCOUNTERS - 430

REFERRALS MADE TO SOCIAL SERVICES - 84

CONNECTIONS MADE TO SHELTER - 1

CONNECTIONS MADE TO PERMANENT HOUSING - 18

CONNECTIONS MADE TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES - 0

CONNECTIONS MADE TO OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES - 29

*Note: Data reflects January 1, 2025 - February 28, 2025

Resources

Cincinnati is fortunate to have a large cross-section of outstanding social service providers that can help those in need with everything from shelter to meals to mental health and substance abuse services. The list below includes contact information for a number of these agencies and is meant to serve as a resource for those looking to connect our neighbors in need with the help they deserve.

If you know of someone in need of immediate assistance please contact us:

Downtown Cincinnati Social Service Outreach Coordinators | 513.498.6192

Mon–Fri, 7AM – 9PM

Sat-Sun, 9AM – 7PM

For an extensive list of resources, please view the attached document provided by Cincinnati Public Library. The list is updated monthly.

Donate

Like what we're doing and want to help connect someone with life-changing resources? Use the link below to make a donation to the GeneroCity 513 program. 

Contact Us

Still have questions? Fill out the form below and we will be in touch as soon as possible.

MONTHLY UPDATES

Do you want the latest news on GeneroCity 513’s progress in the city? Sign up for our newsletter for monthly updates.