Project Hope for the Homeless serves homeless individuals and families in Lake County and the surrounding areas; it is Lake County’s only homeless shelter. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Northeast Ohio, Project Hope knew they needed to help their clients safely follow social distancing guidelines, including Governor Mike DeWine’s “Stay at Home” order. “We wanted to get them in off the street for 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Judy Burr, Executive Director at Project Hope for the Homeless. “Since they don’t have a home, the shelter is their home.”

Project Hope requested funding from the Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund, an emergency fund created by a coalition of partners across Northeast Ohio to deploy resources to nonprofit organizations serving on the frontlines of the pandemic in our region. They received a $22,000 grant to expand staffing and hours at their shelter, shifting their practices to house adults and families in a setting that complies with CDC social distancing guidelines.

“The guests are very very grateful,” said Burr, who recalled a six-year-old boy in a family of three who said he was so lucky to be in a place that was fun, loving and cared about his safety. “That makes all the difference to us,” said Burr.

You can watch Judy Burr’s interview here:

Stay tuned for more “Stories of Impact” from partners that are working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis and serving residents in need with support from the Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund. You can make a gift to the Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund here.