Angelo Anderson, LMM Men's Shelter Gateway Community Facilitator
Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry runs the largest homeless shelter in the state of Ohio, serving up to 400 men each night. Despite the recent challenges brought on as a result of COVID-19, LMM has shown no signs of slowing down.
Social distancing has been the primary method of preventing the spread of COVID-19. LMM has made the proper efforts within guidance of the Centers for Disease Control to practice social distancing in the shelter in order to best protect the health and safety of our staff and those we serve.
Check out the stories from Cleveland 19 News to learn more about LMM's efforts here:
U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown recently hosted a virtual round-table meeting to discuss the state of affordable housing. The meeting included 15 housing advocates from across Cleveland and members of Cleveland's City Council. LMM's Acting CEO & COO Maria Foschia, Vice President of Housing and Shelter, Michael Sering and Director of Advocacy, Margie Glick shared with the Senator the ongoing efforts to reduce census at the Men's Shelter at 2100 and ensure the health and safety of residents and staff.
LMM also advocated for continued federal funding for non-congregate shelter and regulatory changes to make it easier to move the most vulnerable shelter residents to another location and allow all residents to be able to practice social distancing. This conversation is one of several advocacy actions taken since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic that ensures those who are most vulnerable in our community continue to be served.
Protect Our Health & Human Services: Issue 33
Cuyahoga County's Health and Human Services Levy (Issue 33) is on the ballot for April 28. The HHS levy provides critical funding for services that benefit LMM program participants including housing and shelter, services for older Americans, mental health and addiction services and emergency health care.
The deadline to vote has been changed to April 28. There is no in-person voting. You can request an absentee ballot at
www.ohiosos.gov or by calling your local Board of Elections. For those who have a disability or are unable to access the postal system, contact your local Board of Elections for alternative options. To learn more about the levy, please visit
www.voteforhhs.org.
It's Census Time!
The U.S. Census occurs once every ten years and the data is used to determine how federal funding is spent on programs that support people who are homeless, seniors, people who are ill and various other social services.
An under-count has the potential to greatly impact many of the individuals in the scope of who LMM serves through negative impacts on SNAP benefits, Medicaid, Section 8 housing vouchers and money for schooling. Visit LMM's Advocacy page to learn more.
