Ecumenical Shelter Network of Lake County, Inc. dba Project Hope for the Homeless

The Ecumenical Shelter Network of Lake County, Inc. dba Project Hope for the Homeless began in 1993, serving 16 individuals in the first season of the initial pilot program. As the program grew, we expanded from a seasonal program into a year-round comprehensive program that addresses the underlying needs of shelter guests. Our organization has grown from a 25-bed, temporary shelter to a 50-bed year-round shelter with a spectrum of collaborators and services to restore hope and renew lives. In 2007, the Aftercare program was started to meet the needs of former guests through monthly support meetings with educational and entertaining topics, care packages, service referrals, frequent communication, social events and links to housing subsidies. Former guests receive the support they need to remain successfully housed and recidivism has decreased from 20% to 16%. Between 2009 and 2012, there was a 250% increase in the number of children in our emergency shelter in Lake County. Because of this trend, Families Moving Forward was launched to provide a safe, daytime option to help lessen trauma for families staying at the shelter. Children receive snacks and a place to play, study, and nap. Parents receive the support they need to better their situation. In December 2014, the new family center and expansion project was completed and Families Moving Forward moved onsite in their own wing at Project Hope for the Homeless. In 2019, Hope House for Seniors began as an offsite 3-unit transitional housing program for seniors ages 62 and older, who find themselves homeless. This was established to address the unique challenges including medical issues that require older people to have 24/7 shelter. Our Welcome Home program helps guests start over with their lives. Many do not own common household necessities to set up a home and do not have the income to buy these items. Welcome Home provides purchased items not available by other means for their new home. This may include bedding, small furniture, a coffee pot, a mop and bucket, microwave, a vacuum, funds to get items out of storage, or transportation to deliver items. Imagine moving into a new apartment but living with a dirty floor because you cannot afford a vacuum, broom, or mop. Or skipping a doctor’s visit or medical care to save money to pay to get your items out of storage. Offering just this little bit of help can make a major difference in their life and success. Our new Welcome Home Center opened in February 2024. This 700 square foot warehouse will allow us to partner with other foundations to secure free furnishings that will be available for our transitioning guests and will provide storage for household goods for our guests to set up their new home when they move from the shelter to their own housing. In 2023, we provided 11,539 nights of shelter care to 178 men, 102 women, and 43 children and served nearly 100 individuals through Aftercare. In 2024, we anticipate serving 400 people in the shelter and 100 in Aftercare.

Our Mission is to respectfully and compassionately empower persons who are homeless with hope by providing emergency and transitional shelter, care, and guidance together with the community. We provide individuals and families from Northeast Ohio with a safe place to sleep, basic needs, plus care and guidance through 5 programs: Adult Shelter, Families Moving Forward, Aftercare, Hope House for seniors and Welcome Home. Our staff help guests to set up goals and provide education on available resources.