Community Savings Bank Story

Community Savings Bank in Bethel, Ohio has been on the inside track of the needs of the community of Bethel since opening in 1889. Our relationship with CSB began in 2015 when one of our representatives walked into their doors and simply asked if they would be a drop off site for food donations for our weekend food bags. Our relationship with CSB really took off in 2016 when they began sponsoring our Picnics in the Park, as well as purchasing our fundraising shirts for our camp seasons. They have supported these efforts since!

The relationship between Empower Youth and Community Savings Bank’s mission of focusing on partnering to make a difference  has indeed made a huge impact on Clermont County and Southern Ohio.  This impact was felt in April of 2017, when Community Savings Bank gave Empower Youth a 15.25 acre horse farm off of 125 just a few miles out of Bethel. This property looked like a lot of work to the naked eye, but to Empower Youth and the bank President, John Essen,

Community Savings Bank President/CEO, John Essen

this property was, and still is, a pearl. This property gave EY a physical address. Empower Youth had spent the last 2 years packing food bags utilizing borrowed spaces and practically had items stored all over the county. The Red Barn flea market had graciously given us our last residence but we were quickly outgrowing the space. This property gave us a home and finally the sense of belonging that we had been missing as nomads working out of trailers and closets.  This property also gave us renewed vision in our role as gap-fillers not just in Clermont County but in all of Southern Ohio.