Cincinnati Ministry for the Homeless Now Homeless, Still Serving the Community

CINCINNATI – A church for the homeless is now homeless itself.

Bridge the Gap Urban Outreach Inc. is an organization that provides church, food, and supplies to the homeless and low-income population.

“They do a great job for the homeless community,” says Timothy Campbell, a former Bridge the Gap supporter and now a volunteer.

James Turner, founder and president of Bridge the Gap, has been involved in the community with his wife for 17 years – addressing everything from physical needs to mental health.

“Our goal is to serve the hopeless, the hungry, the addicted and the suffering – not only meeting practical needs but also building relationships,” Turner said.

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Bridge the Gap works to change the lives of those who come to them. That’s what they did for Campbell.

Campbell first came to Bridge the Gap when he was 18 and kicked out of home. Now he’s 30, has a job and his own apartment.

“But God helped me change my life through Pastor James… the time of homelessness was a tough struggle, but he was always by my side,” Campbell said.

For the past eight years, Bridge the Gap could be found every Monday and Thursday in a parking lot under the Brent Spence Bridge. It was their home.

But now the organization itself is homeless. With construction on the Brent Spence Bridge about to begin, the City of Cincinnati is no longer allowing them to use the property.

“The city has been really generous to us, letting us stay there for eight years. Now they are preparing to build the new bridge, so we are looking for a new home for Bridge the Gap,” said Turner’s wife, Letha, who is also a pastor for Bridge the Gap.

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The Turners still serve the community under the bridge, though now on the sidewalk, and say they’ve had to scale back what they do without the property.

“We urgently need a new location – be it a piece of land or a building,” said James.

Bridge the Gap has the necessary funds and is willing to purchase or sublease a building or property for the dinners and mission. They added that their new location would ideally be near the downtown homeless shelter.

If you would like to help Bridge the Gap, you can visit their website or contact them at [email protected] or 513-828-1615.