Weekly News from LMM
Happy Holidays from LMM
Happy Holidays from LMM! No matter what you celebrate, we wish you a relaxing and safe holiday spent with loved ones.
Give the Gift of Safe Housing & Stability to a Family this Holiday Season
LMM’s Breaking New Ground campaign for affordable housing and family stability has now raised nearly 70% of the $3.5 million goal. YOU are the missing link to our ability to provide safe, affordable housing to vulnerable families experiencing homelessness. In case you missed the release of our new campaign video, check it out here. To learn more about the BNG, review the project presentation here.
NERC Ladies Host Holiday Charity Drive
Women at the Northeast Reintegration Center with hygiene donations
For people experiencing homelessness, maintaining personal hygiene is a small way to maintain dignity, self-respect and the confidence needed to seek independence. LMM’s shelter residents and numerous others experiencing homelessness throughout Northeast Ohio will receive a very special gift this year, by way of the women at the Northeast Ohio Reintegration Center (NERC).

The women at NERC worked with LMM's Workforce Development team to put together a donation drive to gather essential hygiene items for individuals experiencing homelessness in the area, including those staying at LMM's Men's Shelter at 2100 Lakeside. Despite the challenges the women at NERC face on a daily basis, their commitment to supporting people in need extends beyond their circumstances. This is the highest level of philanthropy- the will to show love for others. 
Additional Federal Relief is On its Way
Thanks to your ongoing advocacy, we are happy to share that the recently passed COVID-19 stimulus package included several policy provisions important to Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry. Specifically, this legislation included a one-month extension of the federal eviction moratorium, $25 billion in rental assistance (approximately $782 million for Ohio) and a second round of direct payments of $600 for most Americans. These allocations, which will be law pending President Donald J. Trump's signature, will help keep more Americans in their homes at a time when housing is truly healthcare. 
Congress Restores Hope for the Incarcerated this Holiday Season By Lifting the Pell Grant Ban
Women in LMM's Chopping for Change Program, circa 2019
Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry is thrilled to share that Congress has decided to reinstate the Pell grant for those incarcerated, which will be law pending President Donald J. Trump's signature. The Pell Grant ban, passed as part of the 1994 crime bill, prevented the majority of those incarcerated from accessing post-secondary education. At LMM, we know that increasing educational opportunities for the incarcerated creates hope at a time when hope is often lost, and contributes to better outcomes post-incarceration. We are grateful to our elected officials for passing such important legislation, and for the advocacy of LMM's Program Director for Workforce Development, Malika Kidd, who helped further the conversation. Malika Kidd: Second Chances are Real — Let’s Make Sure More Students Get Them
Holiday Sweater Contest!
Our Workforce Development team got in the holiday spirit by hosting their very own Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest! Who had the ugliest sweater? Reply to this email to cast your vote!