Congratulations to LMM VP of Housing & Shelter, Michael Sering, for being awarded Downtown Cleveland Alliance's (DCA) Green + Clean Award at the 2023 Ruth Ratner Miller Awards!

The Green + Clean Award recognizes an individual, company or organization who demonstrates a commitment to creating a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for all. This award exemplifies leadership in maintaining an environment of well-being for everyone in Downtown Cleveland, including residents, visitors, employees and individuals experiencing disadvantages.

During his time as the VP of Housing & Shelter, Michael launched a street cleanup program and planted a garden near the Men's Shelter at 2100 Lakeside. In 2015, Sering launched the SEEDs program with DCA, which allowed 14 people from the shelter to gain job skills and employment by landscaping and planting flowers in Downtown Cleveland. Since then, over 100 people from local shelters have participated in the SEEDs program.

LMM is proud to have been joined by members of Fairmount Presbyterian Church, a vital supporter of the Breaking New Ground initiative (BNG), yesterday evening to unveil the work being done at LMM's BNG home on Norwood Ave. in the St. Clair-Superior neighborhood.

After donating more than $126,000 to LMM for the purchase of the Norwood Ave. home in 2022, members of Fairmount Presbyterian had the chance to walk through the house yesterday, which is currently still under renovation, as well as hear from LMM staff about the progress of the BNG initiative as a whole, and bless the home on Norwood Ave.

We're extremely grateful to partners like Fairmount Presbyterian for their commitment to LMM's mission!

On Monday, June 5, LMM’s Director of Advocacy Margie Glick and advocate Ronald W. spoke in front of the Cuyahoga County Council’s Community Development Committee. In their remarks, they vocalized their support for pay-to-stay legislation currently being considered by the committee. If this legislation passes, tenants facing eviction for nonpayment who pay their past due rent and reasonable late fees could avoid eviction. Margie explained that many of the people LMM serves are victims of the cycle of eviction, and Ronald shared how pay-to-stay legislation could have helped him avoid eviction and being a resident at the Men’s Shelter at 2100 Lakeside.

LMM reiterates its support for a pay-to-stay policy, and thanks Margie and Ronald for their advocacy!

In states across the country, an organized effort is seeking to criminalize homelessness while attacking best practices like Housing First.

Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry has signed on to support the National Alliance to End Homelessness' statement of values to stop the criminalization of homelessness. Click the button below to show your support:

In honor of Pride Month, LMM has compiled resources centered around support and education in relation to the LGBTQ+ community, with a particular focus on individuals experiencing homelessness and youth that identify as LGBTQ+.

Tune into LMM's #PrideMonth campaign on social media as we explore how discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community may impact the people we serve at LMM, highlight the work we are doing as an agency to be inclusive of individuals who identify as LGBTQ+, and share community resources.

Emma Arrighi, Advocacy Intern

Kylie Gillespie, Communications Intern

Alexia Miracle, Development Intern

Want to learn more about LMM's newest cohort of advocacy and communications interns; Emma Arrighi, Kylie Gillespie and Alexia Miracle and what they are working on this summer? Read their introduction blogs here:

Bus passes are often a great need for residents at the Men's Shelter at 2100 Lakeside and are regularly given out by shelter staff and case managers to assist shelter residents in getting to essential appointments.

We're grateful to St. Christopher's Episcopal Church in Gates Mills, which recently hosted a bus pass fundraiser by donating the proceeds of their 2024 Day by Day calendars to the Men's Shelter!

Shout-out to LMM staff members who had the chance to participate in West Side Catholic Center's 5k run and 1-mile walk fundraiser this past weekend.

Congratulations to Men's Shelter Volunteer Coordinator Lydia Bailey for coming in first place in her age group for the 5k run!

To support the mission and programs of LMM, donate today!