Weekly News from LMM
Fair Housing Month: LMM Housing Projects
As part of Fair Housing Month 2022, LMM is taking to Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to share more about the housing projects we're working on as an agency. These projects include piloting a "Transition in Place" housing intervention, operating the Youth Independent Living Continuum, our Breaking New Ground affordable housing initiative and more.

Give us a follow on social media to stay up-to-date on our Fair Housing Month campaign!
An Interview with Fairmount Presbyterian Church
LMM had the chance to sit down with Fairmount Presbyterian Church to talk about the church's partnership with the agency, as well as their commitment to the Breaking New Ground campaign. Check out the video to watch the full interview.

To help bring Breaking New Ground home, contact Marcella Brown, VP of Development & Communications, at 216-658-7208 or mbrown@lutheranmetro.org.
Mayor Bibb's State of the City
Mayor Justin Bibb delivered his first annual State of the City address last night. During his address, Mayor Bibb highlighted key topics and pledges for the City of Cleveland including renter protections, investing in neighborhoods, police reform, modernizing City Hall, and much more.

Read more here.
Reminder: Go Vote
There is an important primary election currently taking place in Ohio. You can Early Vote now through Monday, May 2nd at your local Board of Elections or you can vote at your regular polling location on Tuesday, May 3rd, Election Day. This election includes important races like the primary for the U.S. Senate and Governor. To learn more about early vote times and locations and what is on your ballot please visit: https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/
Join the 2022 Cuyahoga County
Peoples' Reentry Assembly!
You are invited to attend the People’s Reentry Assembly on April 30th from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM. This half-day program will elevate the stories and experiences of those with past criminal legal involvement, provide information about policies that could reduce housing-related collateral sanctions, and determine a path for advancing these policies in Northeast Ohio. Individuals with direct criminal legal system involvement, or who have been indirectly impacted through a family member, roommate, or close friend, are encouraged to attend. 

The program will take place at Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry (4515 Superior Ave). It is in partnership with Cuyahoga County’s Reentry Week. RSVP here.

Learn more about LMM's involvement with Reentry Week here.
Pushing for Justice with Malika Kidd
Earlier this week, the Western Reserve Abolitionist Project hosted a panel discussion, Eroding Mass Incarceration: Pursuing Abolitionism in Ohio. The event was held at the Mandel Center on the campus of Case Western Reserve University and the panel featured LMM's own Workforce Development Program Director, Malika Kidd.

Panelists shared their personal experiences with the justice system, highlighted policy solutions to address systematic issues and shared ways people could get involved, including supporting cash bail reform. 
Join Us for the Annual Charles R. See Forum on Reentry
We're a little over two weeks away!

The 2022 Charles R. See Forum on Reentry featuring Ms. Susan Burton, the founder of Los Angeles-based A New Way of Life (ANWOL), will take place on Friday, April 29, 2022 at 11:30AM at the City Club of Cleveland. The forum honors See’s 44 years at LMM by bringing attention to current issues in the field of criminal justice. Tickets are on sale at the link below. The forum will also be broadcast starting at 12:00PM on www.cityclub.org and WKSU 89.7.
Becoming Ms. Burton Book Club
There's still time to join LMM’s Advocacy Department for a series of discussions on the book Becoming Ms. Burton. The memoir, which was authored by the Annual Charles R. See Forum on Reentry's keynote speaker, Ms. Susan Burton, is a story of redemption and overcoming the odds. After the loss of her 5-year old son, addiction took hold of Ms. Burton sending her on a decades-long journey of incarceration and recidivism.

LMM's Becoming Ms. Burton Book Club will meet in person and/or virtually on:

  • April 26 at 12:00PM
  • May 3 at 12:00PM

You can RSVP here and books can be purchased here (select LMM as your organization of choice using Amazon Smile so our agency receives a small percentage of your purchase at no cost to you) or at a local bookseller. Read along with us!

Questions? Email LMM’s Community Engagement Coordinator, Gloria Craig, at gcraig@lutheranmetro.org.