Restoring hope and renewing lives at Project Hope for the Homeless

By Mary Malik

The evolution of Project Hope for the Homeless began in 1993, with the Catholic Commission of Lake and Geauga Counties searching for a solution to the homeless in Lake County. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the shelter now serves approximately 500 guests each year. Executive Director Judy Burr served as an outreach coordinator in those early, uncertain years, until a prayer and a phone call changed everything.

“The first five years we were housing the homeless in the winter months temporarily in hotels, then local churches,” Judy says. “We housed 25 people each night, moving every two weeks to the next location. We were exhausted but undaunted.” Willoughby Hills United Methodist Church was the first church to step out and house Project Hope for the Homeless for the original pilot project.

In search of a permanent home, Judy looked at 60 different options and was denied 60 times. Even in those vulnerable times, Project Hope for the Homeless was a solid program with board members, staff members and volunteers. With no one giving them a chance, Judy prayed.

“Then my phone rang,” Judy says. “A trustee representing Bishop Roderick Alan Coffee I and Union Community Church offered me a tour of 25 Freedom Rd. Was it a sign? Twenty-five representing the 25 people we housed offering them ‘freedom’ from homelessness? It was an answer to that prayer, and we moved in December of 2000.”

Renovations added bathrooms, space for staff and additional services. Project Hope for the Homeless became a year ‘round shelter in 2005. Over the years, they have steadily increased their capacity to meet the growing demand for shelter services. In 2007, they expanded from 25 beds to 35 beds, and in 2016, further extended the capacity from 35 beds to a total of 50. Today, they provide 50 beds per night for 38 single adults and 12 guests in the family program. Facilities include a family wing, dining hall, chapel, outdoor playground and activity room.

“We are restoring hope and renewing lives,” Community Engagement Director John Hutchison says. “Our goal is to break the cycle of homelessness and we are always looking for volunteers, meal providers and financial donations to help with our mission.”

If you’re wondering just how effective the mission is, John and Judy are most proud of one statistic.

“Eighty-six percent of our guests in 2022 transitioned to their own housing within an average stay of 30 days,” Judy says. “We offer much more than a place to sleep. Our guests spend their days off site with transportation provided by Laketran to places like The Salvation Army, where they receive social services, educational workshops, employment readiness and more.”

Judy and John see every day what people are capable of once their basic needs are met.

“Taking away the stress of where you and your children will eat and sleep is an amazing gift,” John says. “Guests are free to look for a job, receive mentoring and build a better future.”

Here’s a brief overview of the programs at Project Hope for the Homeless:

Adult Shelter
Serving men and women, providing shelter, hot dinner, light breakfast, packed lunch, showers, educational and spiritual support. Weekly meetings with trained professional staff provide goal setting and treatment referrals if needed.

Families Moving Forward
Families stay together in a separate wing and receive the services of the adult shelter with extended hours for consistency and routine for children and families.

Aftercare
Former guests are offered support meetings, care packages, service referrals and general support. Many have become shelter employees, volunteers, board members and community leaders.

Senior Care Hope House
This three-unit transitional housing program for homeless seniors ages 62 and older offers free or subsidized shelter and services for up to 90 days. Meals on Wheels, transport to errands and appointments and assistance with daily living are provided.

Welcome Home
Initiated in 2021, this program helps guests transitioning to their own housing to purchase common household items.

Project Hope for the Homeless is located at 25 Freedom Rd., P.O. Box 2035, in Painesville Township. For more information and ways to help, check the website ProjectHopeForTheHomeless.org or call 440-354-6417. Current needs can be found at projecthopeforthehomeless.org/how-to-help/current-needs-list/