The Hamilton County 513Relief Bus and the Dress for Success Cicinnati Mobile Transformation Unit
Early this year, Dress for Success Cincinnati became one of the many resources available on the 513Relief Bus. The Hamilton County 513Relief Bus is a mobile service that provides resources such as health screenings, social services & economic relief to Hamilton County. The 513Relief Bus is funded by the Hamilton County Commissioners office and provides resources directly to residents using a community-based approach.
This program was originally piloted in 2021 and has just become a permanent resource for Hamilton County early 2023. The 513Relief Bus includes Hamilton County departments and other local agencies, including Dress for Success Cincinnati. “The 513Reflief bus is a great service that provides helpful information and resources to residents in all 36 communities of Hamilton County.” says DFSC Programs Manager, Dr. Angela Rivers-Harper.
The bus is equipped with the technology to provide an array of services from healthcare to enrolling in relief programs for Hamilton County residents. Dress for Success Cincinnati has the privilege to not only provide our StyleHER program, but also give them the chance to meet with our Peer Mentor, Chistina Wynn. Our Peer Mentor position is in collaboration with Easter Seals Serving Southwest Ohio, helping women as they make the transition off governmental assistance.
Christina has already bridged the gap between benefits and self-sufficiency herself and, thus, can authentically relate, while providing families with a supportive mentoring relationship. “I assist individuals that come on the 513Relief Bus with filling out the DFSC assistance request form. I direct them to the right place, promote the Peer Mentoring Benefit Bridge Program and I give any resource knowledge that is needed.”
Women who need interview outfits or clothing for new employment can be styled on site by Styling Services Manager, Kate Black. “We style women out of our Mobile Transformation Unit after she's received other services from the 513Relief Bus. She receives 1 complete outfit that she feels really good and confident in for her upcoming interviews.” says Kate. “She gets to help pick the outfit and can even leave the bus in her brand new outfit!”
According to the Women’s Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, 18% of women in our region are living in poverty and 69% of the children in poverty reside in a single female-headed household. When a woman is living in poverty, she may not be able to afford reliable transportation, such as her own vehicle or even public transportation. That is why it is important for these resources to meet residents of Hamilton County where they are.
In addition to meeting with Dress for Success, clients can also meet with UC Health, Talbert Health, Hamilton County Office of Reentry, Hamilton County Public Health and many more!
If you’d like to learn more about the 513Relief Bus, you can visit their website to view more information and to see their next stops.
To learn more about our StyleHER, visit here or contact the Styling Services Manager, Kate Black at kblack@dfscincy.org.
If you would like to make a financial donation to support Dress for Success Cincinnati and the partnership with the Hamilton County 513Relief Bus, you can do so here.
Dress for Success will be at the following 513Relief Bus dates:
Woodlawn
When: Thursday, April 6, 2023, 10:00AM - 3:00PM
Where: Woodlawn Community Center , 10050 Woodlawn Blvd 45215
Harrison
When: Wednesday, April 12, 2023, 10:00AM - 3:00PM
Where: Church On Fire, 10544 Harrison Ave 45030
Gold Manor
When: Friday, April 14, 2023, 10:00AM - 3:00PM
Where: Golf Manor Village Administration Office , 6450 Wiehe Rd 45237
Madisonville
When: Friday, April 28, 2023, 10:00AM - 3:00PM
Where: Madisonville Recreation Center , 5320 Stewart Ave 45227
To view the full list of stops and services, please visit 513Relief Bus.
