Cleveland Charity Announces New Leadership
The City Mission, a Cleveland-based organization dedicated to helping those in need, has announced a change in leadership for one of its emergency shelters and long-term programs. Dedicated to helping women at the organization, Laura’s Home Women’s Crisis Center will welcome a new leader after bidding a retirement farewell to its previous manager.
Beginning January 1, 2012, Linda Uveges will start in her new position in the leadership role for Laura’s Home in Cleveland, Ohio. After first volunteering in the childcare department, Linda was hired as a security officer in the homeless program. She received promotions into positions with progressively more responsibility: cook, security supervisor and assistant manager. She plans on continuing to stimulate life transformation for women in crisis through programming and mentoring that facilitates life skills development and spiritual growth. Linda hopes to raise awareness, help clients achieve stability in their lives, and overall help with “transformation” of women in need from hopeless to hopeful and moving towards self-sufficiency.
Linda finds inspiration and motivation from the love of God. She witnesses the work of God in her life, and is encouraged to share that joy with others. After a trip to Haiti with her three children, Linda developed a love for those in poverty and was moved to reach out to those living in poverty in her own city. She states, “Getting up and going to ‘work’ every day is a joy! In fact, I don’t usually use the word ‘work,’ I get to go ‘serve’ at Laura’s Home, what a wonderful opportunity!”
Although Pam will be retiring from her position as program manager which she has held for the last five years, The City Mission will not be saying goodbye to her. When asked about her plans for the future, she responded, “Nothing for a few months, then I will see what God has in mind. He may have another plan for me. However, I will be staying connected with The City Mission and Laura’s Home as a volunteer. I also look forward to enjoying more time with our four grandchildren.”
The City Mission Hosts Annual Holiday Food Drive and Turkey Round-Up
The City Mission has launched its annual holiday food drive. During this holiday giving season, the Cleveland charity is accepting donations of food items or monetary gifts to purchase food items to purchase food for baskets to be distributed to needy families in the community.
A total of at least $35,000 in food items or cash donations are needed to help The City Mission prepare and distribute 1,000 baskets filled with donated food to needy families just before Christmas. The baskets provide not only what is needed for a holiday meal but also food staples to help the family get through the rest of the month.
New this year is a “Turkey Roundup” campaign designed for groups or companies to easily conduct a collection if they cannot transport food donations to the Mission. Individuals can “sponsor a turkey” for $15.00.
Businesses, churches, organizations and individuals are encouraged to donate needed items: tuna, Tuna Helper, oatmeal, Minute Rice, green beans, baked beans, chicken noodle soup, ramen noodles, canned pasta, macaroni and cheese, instant potatoes, stuffing, powdered drink mix, peanut butter and jelly. Frozen turkeys (10-12 lbs) will complete the food baskets. Due to a lack of storage space, the majority will be purchased by the Mission in bulk using cash donations just before the distribution.
“During a time that most of us find joyous, many families who are in need continue to struggle,” said Richard Trickel, chief executive officer of The City Mission. “By giving the simple gift of food, we can provide hope to needy families throughout Cleveland.”
Donations of food items will be accepted November 15 through 30 at The City Mission’s downtown campus and at Laura’s Home. Those delivering frozen turkeys are asked to call the Mission to make arrangements to ensure safe handling.
On November 16, 2011, Walthall, Drake and Wallace LLP CPAs (WDW) and the Cuyahoga Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold a special collection event for non-perishable food items in Independence, Ohio. Companies in the area are encouraged to hold a food drive for their employees and bring the donations to the parking lot behind WDW’s building at 6300 Rockside Road from 8 am to 10 am, or to Chamber’s luncheon at the Holiday Inn at 6001 Rockside Road from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. Volunteers then will transport the donations to the Mission’s Carnegie campus.
Those wishing to donate monetarily toward the Cleveland holiday food drive or The City Mission’s homeless programs can give online or through the mail. Donations will help cover the cost of food items purchased for holiday food baskets and the Cleveland charity’s annual holiday meal for clients of the Mission’s four major programs.
Purchasing food for the baskets in bulk is estimated at $35.00 per basket, which includes $15.00 for the turkey. In addition, meals served at the Mission cost on average $1.70 each. During the holiday season through the end of the year, the Mission will serve at least 22,000 meals to those staying at its Crossroads Men’s Crisis Center or Laura’s Home Women’s Crisis Center.
Checks to be used toward the holiday meal can be made payable to The City Mission and mailed to The City Mission (Holiday Food Drive), 5310 Carnegie Ave., Cleveland, OH 44103.
Donations for holiday giving are also accepted online through the Denver Mattress online giving program November 10 through 24. Donations at this website will be matched up to $2,500 but donors must specify that their gift is for The City Mission.
Donations also can be made through The City Mission website year-round. Please visit the website for posters and materials to use to promote community involvement.
The City Mission's Field of Hope Event Hosts Players From the Cleveland Browns
The City Mission is hosting its fourth annual Cleveland homeless program Field of Hope Luncheon to raise support and awareness for the 2,000 homeless in the Cleveland area.
The luncheon is scheduled to take place on Thursday, October 13, 2011, at the Cleveland Browns Stadium’s Legend Club. The event will begin with a meet-and-greet session, along with registration, at 11:30 a.m. The luncheon itself begins at noon. Speakers include Tom Petersburg, the Cleveland Browns Chaplain, and Dave Puzzuoli, retired Cleveland Browns’ nose tackle (1983 – 1987). The Cleveland Browns Stadium’s Legend Club is located at 100 Alfred Lerner Way, Cleveland, Ohio. Directions may be found here.
Tickets are available for $30 each, or $150 for a table of six. Sponsorships are also available. The City Mission will close registration on October 5, 2011. Tickets can be purchased online or via mailed check.
The homeless who have fallen into difficult circumstances – formerly incarcerated and disabled residents, along with those who have been recently laid off due to the poor economy – hope to be given a second chance at opportunities that may have not previously been presented to them. The City Mission is a Cleveland charity which provides a safe haven to do so, as the organization provides support programs for men, women and children alike. By participating in the Field of Hope Luncheon, each ticket holder is helping those in need.
123 Men and Women Graduated from Long-term Program
On June 18, 2011, 66 men and 57 women graduated from our long-term programs at Crossroads Men's Crisis Center and Laura’s Home Women's Crisis Center after reaching this level of achievement through successful completion of all program components. This group is the largest graduation class ever for the two programs.
Each individual has advanced towards higher levels of self-sufficiency in several key life areas such as career training, employment, substance abuse and support systems. Each has completed Transformation Training, a biblically-based study addressing issues that may have contributed to their need for our services. They also have completed a minimum of 120 on-site service hours for strengthening their soft work skills and have completed classes in computer literacy, employment readiness, financial management, parenting and other skills important to their success. For many of our graduates, this event is the most significant achievement of their lives after many years of living in defeat and despair. For some, this is their first-ever graduation. For all, this marks a turning point to a much brighter future.
Thanks to everyone who has been a part of making this milestone possible!
In the news
"Cleveland-area nonprofit agencies count on videos to attract donations," Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 21 Read the story
West Park Girl Scout Troop receives Kamm's Corners' Community Impact Award, Sun Post Herald, June 17 Read the story under "Honorees"'
West Park Girl Scout troop helps Laura's Home shelter with new basketball court, Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 15 Read the story
Brooke Taylor, "FISH Mornings with Len and Brooke", visited Laura's Home and wrote a blog about it, April 20 Read the blog post
Rev. Harry Banfield, Director Emeritus, joined current CEO Rich Trickel in an interview with Glenn Mertz, host of "Living the Word" on WHKW The Word. Glenn led them in a discussion of the history and future of the Mission. Listen to the April 19 podcast
Update on "The City Mission Turns 100", WKYC TV 3, April 5 Watch video
"Enchanted Makeovers Takes Message of Inner Beauty to Cleveland!!!" for Laura's Home, April 5 Read their press release
"Doubled-up households create challenge for census", Cleveland Plain Dealer, March 5 Read the story
"Chili for Charity at the Chili Open," Channel 19 website, Feb. 27 Read the story
The City Mission, its services and the 100th anniversary with CEO Rev. Rich Trickel with Pastor Attila Szemesi, “Good News” on WHKW/The Word/1220 AM, Tuesday, Feb. 23 and Tuesday, March 2 at 1 pm.
"New owner of Grandes in South Euclid wants to reach out to the community", Sun Messenger, Feb. 25 Read the story
More on the 100th Anniversary with CEO Rev. Rich Trickel with Mark Zimmerman of WCRF Moody Radio Cleveland, "The Morning Program with Mark and the Morning Team", Monday, Feb. 22 Listen to the interview
100th Anniversary with CEO Rev. Rich Trickel with Bruce VanDyke, "North Coast Conversation" on WNWV 107.3 FM Cleveland Sunday, Feb. 21 at 6:30am.
"North Ridgeville-based business enjoys success, supports The City Mission", Sun Sentinel, Feb. 16 Read the article
"The City Mission Turns 100", WKYC TV 3, Feb. 3 News report on The City Mission's 100th Anniversary
The City Mission begins its 100th Anniversary celebration, Mark Zimmerman of WCRF Moody Radio Cleveland, "The Morning Program with Mark and the Morning Team", Jan. 25 Listen to the interview
The City Mission's 100th Anniversary launch WCRF interview "Cleveland's City Mission Celebrates 100 Years," Newschannel 5, Jan. 20