Emergency Overflow – A Sign of the Crisis

The introduction of the idea of Haven Home came to us on Friday, November 10th – meaning this is a developing situation. What we know is that Cindy Rios from from Elizabeth Baptist Church will be leading the Haven Home space, and that the County will fund the ability to offer expanded services. Haven Home can fit 36 people, families can have their own rooms, and there will be access to bathrooms and showers. As those of you who have been following the situation know, room for 36 people is not enough to handle the numbers we’ve been seeing in overflow at The City Mission. At times, the number of women and children reaches above 60. Elizabeth Baptist Church next to Haven Home has a gym with classrooms that can be used for an overflow space. Large families could stay in these rooms, and then head over to Haven Home for meals.

The City Mission and Haven Home will also be working to transfer the donations the community has so generously given to the new space. The City Mission is completely willing to work together with the County, Haven Home, and other organizations in order to make this transition as successful and comfortable for the women and children, including supplying volunteers and the material resources we’ve garnered from the community.

Emergency Overflow transferred to Haven Home on Thursday, November 16th.

Haven Home Contact Information

(216) 429-2922

6114 Francis Ave, Cleveland (Church Address)

2971 E. 61st St. Cleveland 44127 (Haven Home Address)

cindy.thehaven@gmail.com

[expand title=”Click Here for FAQ’s”]

What will happen to my overnight kits that I’ve donated? If I’ve already prepared overnight kits or am hosting an event for overflow, where should I take them?

We have been overwhelmingly blessed and are incredibly grateful for the support of the community in this time! Many of you have donated or are in the process of donating overnight kits for overflow. So much has developed in the past week, and we’re doing our best to communicate the latest updates. Moving forward, if you would like your kits to be sent specifically to emergency overflow, please drop them off at Haven Home: 2971 E. 61st St. Cleveland 44127.

We are working to transfer resources we’ve collected (hygiene, clothing, food kits etc.) will be transferred to Haven Home where they will continue to benefit the moms and kids in overflow. Please email cindy.thehaven@gmail.com about overflow donations moving forward.

And as you think of the families in overflow, please still remember the 165 women and children at Laura’s Home and 110 men at Crossroads. These clients are currently in their journey to recovery and stability at The City Mission, and we covet your continued financial and material gift support. Thank you for your kindness to our neighbors in need. Together, we are making Cleveland a bright light in a hurting world.

Why don’t these women just find jobs?

Employment is key to escaping homelessness, however if you have no place to live, no where to take a shower, no where to wash your clothes, no where to put your stuff, no transportation, you sleep every night on a gym floor, and your children are with you on the street, your chances of finding solid employment are slim.

Not to mention that at minimum wage (what most people in this situation are qualified for) you have to work about 100 hours a week to afford a basic two bedroom apartment. When you factor children and childcare into that, it’s near impossible unless you have stabilizing relationships in your life.

Now if there was a safe, stable place to stay and some support structures in place, your child is in school, you’re not worried about where you’ll be at night, everything changes. Could you then find employment – most likely yes. Would that lead to independent housing – most likely yes. That’s why our goal is for the County to provide an emergency overflow shelter for families instead of sleeping on mats in our gym; a decent place with adequate showers, lockers for their belongings, laundry facilities, and a place where they are not left to wait for hours outside to secure a bed.

How can I help?

We will work hard to keep you connected in this area throughout the transition. As we learn more from Haven Home about their needs, we will update this page. Right now you can help us turn the focus to solutions for more permanent housing solutions. Check out the links and ideas below.

• Join the housing crisis task force in our Facebook group
  • Implement creative opportunities for homeownership or housing assistance with local faith community members
• Join a support team by emailing besocial@thecitymission.org with your interest
  • Advisory/Steering – paint the big picture for our emergency overflow goals
  • Overflow – volunteer time, meals, material gifts, etc. to those staying in emergency overflow
  • Agency – act as a liaison and collaborator between Cleveland crisis agencies
  • Student – mentor and engage children and students of all ages
  • Ongoing – build lasting relationships with families who transition to housing
  • Advocacy – continue encouraging the media and government to pay attention to this crisis
• Give financially to organizations like The City Mission
• Continue to contact your government officials about doing more to create a lasting solution[/expand]