About Us

Our mission at Power Inspires Progress is to provide job and personal improvement training programs and activities to help participants increase and develop skills, gain on-the-job experience, and increase self confidence in order to successfully attain entry-level employment.

Power Inspires Progress is an employment education program that provides part-time, on-the-job training through its two principle not-for-profit businesses, Venice Catering and Venice on Vine Pizza.  PIP exists to help address the inner-city issues of chronic unemployment and the consequent need for economic subsidies, lack of basic independent life skills, and poor educational achievement.

Participants are provided the opportunity to learn about operating a small business, be involved in on-the-job-training activities, and take part in supportive personal improvement training programs and workshops.  Through the peer mentoring process, trainees gain valuable and transferable “life skills” that strengthen work, home, and interpersonal relationships.  Staff work closely with each participant to assist them in meeting their personal educational needs.

Participants are drawn from Cincinnati’s inner-city neighborhoods - West End, Over-the-Rhine, and Camp Washington.  These individuals were not able to complete their education or have had other extenuating circumstances which have prevented them from acquiring the skills and good habits necessary for employment.

Power Inspires Progress receives referrals from many sources including newspaper articles, word of mouth, friends of PIP and through networking with other organizations.

We are well known in the neighborhood through our many programs, especially for our focus on job training and support through the Venice Catering program and Venice on Vine Pizza.