Advocacy News from LMM
Only 0.0005% Chance
There have only been seven murder convictions of police-involved fatal shootings in the United States since 2005. At that rate, the chance of a police officer being convicted is 0.0005%. This is the reality of how often people of color receive justice when interactions with members of law enforcement go horribly wrong.
 
With the guilty verdict handed down in the trial of Derek Chauvin now convicted of murdering George Floyd, the work of accountability, reform and reconciliation took a small but meaningful step forward.
 
At LMM, we are hard at work figuring out what is the most impactful way we can advance accountability, reform and reconciliation in the justice system. More than half of our program participants and staff are people of color. We are concerned for the health, safety and mental well-being of our LMM Community.
 
We celebrate this rare moment of justice, but we know that the real work has just begun.
YWCA Takes a Stand Against Racism
Join the YWCA on Thursday, April 22 at 3 PM for their annual Stand Against Racism. This year’s event will discuss the connections between racism and public health outcomes, how to implement public health practices to effectively identify and address racial injustice in our communities, and community engagement and public policy strategies to advance racial equity through a public health lens. The forum will feature U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown. Register today!
Cuyahoga County's 4th Annual Reentry Week
Monday, April 26, 2021 marks the start of the 4th annual Cuyahoga County Reentry Awareness Week. The week aims to raise consciousness around the barriers facing returning citizens, provide substantive information regarding resources and program linkages, and elevate and uplift the success of returning citizens who have accelerated on the path of a successful return. 

Join us for the 'Apart' Panel Discussion During Reentry Week
Thank you to everyone who joined LMM, Recovery Resources and Towards Employment for the community viewing of Apart this week. The film features three alumni of our Chopping for Change program as they navigate life and involvement in the criminal justice system. 

We invite all of you to continue the conversation during National Reentry Week by joining us on April 27 for a live panel discussion with Tomika, Lydia, Amanda and Malika from the film, alongside representatives from Recovery Resources and Towards Employment. Check in with the ladies for an update on where they are in their reentry journey and pose questions about what more we can do to support restored citizens.

To participate in the live panel discussion visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/LMMCleveland or go to lutheranmetro.org on April 27th at 7:00 PM.
American Rescue Plan Resources
In March, President Joe Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan which included $1.9 trillion in funding to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This legislation allocated $50 billion in essential housing and homelessness assistance, including $27.4 billion for rental assistance and $5 billion to assist people experiencing homelessness; stimulus funds of up to $1,400 for individuals earning less than $75,000 (including individuals experiencing homelessness) and funding for state and local governments. LMM staff are working hard to ensure program participants are able to access these stimulus funds, and to communicate ideas to elected officials regarding how to most effectively utilize the influx of federal resources.
Mark Your Calendars
2021 is a significant year for elections in Northeast Ohio. Candidates are already vying to serve as Cleveland’s next congressional representative after Marcia Fudge vacated the 11th Congressional District to become U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Locally, there are several active city council races and a mayoral race this fall. Don’t miss out on these important civic engagement opportunities. Mark your calendar with the following dates and check your voter registration status.
Celebrate Fair Housing
April marks National Fair Housing Month, a month-long celebration of the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, which included the Fair Housing Act. Since its passage, the legislation has helped provide anti-discrimination protections to renters and homeowners and expanded the number of protected classes to include those with disabilities and based on familial status.

In honor of Fair Housing Month, spend time learning about LMM’s ongoing efforts to fight housing discrimination by ending Source of Income discrimination, advancing Pay to Stay and supporting Fair Chance Housing Ordinances.
The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2021
Thank you to Senator Rob Portman for introducing the bipartisan Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act (AHCIA) of 2021 which would expand and enhance the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC). LIHTC is critical to the creation and preservation of affordable housing nationwide. However, as the need for homes continues to grow, changes must be made to the program. Through the major provisions of the legislation are estimated to finance two million additional affordable rental homes over 10 years – homes that could serve families, veterans, seniors, homeless youth and many others. To learn more: AHCIA One-Page Summary.