In 2011, while living in Pickaway County, surrounded by trees and no neighbors, Cindi Gremling and her husband Dan took a leap of faith and moved to what is now called “Hazel’s House of Hope” off Parsons Avenue. This neighborhood is one of the least desirable in the city to live but Cindi and her husband had a mission. Their mission was to love and honor the neighbors. There were girls on the corner and drug dealers doing business but Cindi’s goal was to relay to them that there is something more than this block and that they were created for more. “We did not start Hazel’s House to be on TV, or that someone would recognize me at the grocery store. We are trying to save lives. Your son, brother, grandmother, grandfather, sister, your friend. I’ve been asked why we move into less desirable neighborhoods, why we write down license plates of dealers, why we call the police when needed. Pure and simple, we are trying to save a life. You may not feel comfortable going into the streets, sitting on the stoop with a prostitute, drinking coffee with an addict. But I do. I love the unlovable, because that is me.”
Cindi is President of Girls with Attitude, Hazel’s House of Hope, and The Sunbury House. Hazel’s House started as a home to reach women from the streets and quickly became the lifeblood of the entire neighborhood. They began holding weekly meetings for adults, teens, and children. They offer services such as free clothing, free food, mentoring assistance with resumes, bible studies, and even after school tutoring. There are now homes located on the southside of Columbus, Hilltop, and the Miller/Kelton area. The Sunbury House is now the new residence and offices for Cindi and her family. They have been renovating the home which was built in 1837 and are also making it a home for pregnant women.
Cindi says that her life is not always in balance. “I have to make a conscience decision to put my husband and Freddie first.” Freddie is their youngest son who they adopted in 2013. “I use the time when Freddie is in school and Dan is at work to get my list taken care of. This past year in addition to running the 3 Hazel’s Houses of Hope in the urban areas of Columbus, renovating the Sunbury House, and having a kindergartener….well, sleep is a luxury.”
Cindi says that any moment that she is serving another is what best defines her. “Be that the homeless, drug addicted, food deprived, dirty, smelly, prostitute, and dirty child. Being a servant.” Her ultimate goal is to leave a legacy that her children and grandchildren would be proud of and to make a tangible difference in the world.
To find out more about Hazel’s House of Hope, please visit www.hazelshouse.com