While all volunteer activity at LMM is suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, our beloved volunteers are still keeping our clients in mind. The Men's Shelter at 2100 Lakeside Volunteer Coordinator Lydia Bailey has compiled a variety of messages and well-wishes from shelter volunteers, and has been sharing them with shelter residents and LMM staff each week. These messages provide a ray of positivity during these challenging times. Here are a few of those messages:
"To the residents and staff, we miss you all. We are looking forward to the other side of this epidemic to get together again in current events, to share donuts, to share information and opinions. Be safe." - Anonymous
"To all of my dog loving friends at 2100, my tail keeps wagging, but there are only two people here to pat me. I'm so lonesome without you. You always make me so happy and you don't seem to mind when my white fur gets all over you. Please stay well so I can come back and see you real soon. Love and tail wags."- Lily the therapy dog
"Hi everyone, I hope you are doing okay. Miss my routine of seeing everyone as I go to the computer lab. The casual conversations and the overall camaraderie amongst the men in the shelter. May everyone stay strong in these hard and uncertain times. I can't wait to be back to see everyone!" - Bradley Zaborszki
In the meantime, the Men's Shelter is still accepting pre-packaged meals or meal sponsorships, as well as donated toiletry items, which you can learn more about in this News 5 Cleveland article. Contact Lydia Bailey to get involved.
LMM Staff is In This Together
Despite the challenges we are facing as a community, LMM's vital work must continue. Staff has stepped up in a major way, whether it be temporarily stepping into different roles in order to provide services as efficiently as possible, or volunteering to prep and pass out meals on the weekend.
Our Housing & Shelter and Workforce Development teams have continued to meet the increased demand and provide thousands of meals each day to those experiencing homelessness in Cleveland. Our Guardianship Services and Health & Wellness teams have remained flexible, continuing to serve their clients and explore electronic meeting options when necessary. Our Youth Services staff has continued to work hard at keeping our at-risk youth safe and on a path to a better future. LMM staff, friends and supporters: We're in this together and we thank you.
Supporting LMM During COVID-19
Each day, LMM meets the needs of thousands of people who are experiencing homelessness, vulnerable adults in need of guardianship services, youth who are awaiting placement or aging out of care systems, people struggling with mental health and addiction, and unemployed residents and returning citizens. Our work must continue during the COVID-19 pandemic and financial instability. To learn updates about our response to the COVID-19, click here.
For those also impacted personally or professionally by the pandemic, our thoughts and prayers are with you! If you are in a position to support the work of LMM with our community's most vulnerable citizens, please consider making a donation to LMM as we continue to fulfill our mission.
