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News of 2003
News articles pertinent to our mission
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Date & Source
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Summary & Reference
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Letter-writer states that large shelters don't help to reduce homelessness.
27-Dec-2003
The Plain Dealer
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In this thoughtful letter to the editor, Steve Hom of Cleveland argues that large homeless shelters aren't the best way for a community to help homeless people achieve permanent housing. The article about the abandoned plan for an additional downtown shelter appeared on 9 December. Scroll down to see the summary of that article.
"We in the Payne-Sterling neighborhood hope that the county and the city will take the rejection of the homeless shelter on Hamilton Avenue as an opportunity to reevaluate the current philosophy of sending homeless people downtown to stay in overcrowded warehouses, which has proven to be unsuccessful at reducing the ranks of the homeless. The large, impersonal shelters not only serve as emergency housing for those in crisis, but have also become permanent housing and a way of life for a large percentage of the homeless population.
"With hundreds of people in a shelter, homeless individuals can quite easily succumb to or continue to suffer from mental illness, physical illness or substance-abuse problems without knowledge of or intervention by care providers.
"Downtown locations encourage long-term homelessness by providing panhandlers with a steady stream of compassionate pedestrians and by providing homeless people with back alleys and empty storefronts where they can engage in substance abuse and avoid services or treatments that could help them
"The county and the city should work with the community and the private sector to find better solutions to address the problems of homelessness.
"A highly touted program in Columbus is abandoning a large, downtown shelter in favor of smaller neighborhood shelters, which emphasize more individualized services, including prevention, detoxification, health care and job training. The neighborhood locations keep participants in closer proximity to friends, relative and church groups that can provide additional support. Because they are small, the shelters pose less of a threat to local communities, and the shelters follow strict guidelines in an effort to be good neighbors.
"Political leaders need to realize that although downtown shelters are politically convenient because of the small constituency that is affected, the big, downtown shelters are part of the problem, not the solution. Leaders need to have the courage to implement real solutions to truly help the homeless."
Steve Hom, Cleveland.
Hom, Steve. (2003, December 27). Neighborhood shelters are a better model [Letter to the editor]. Cleveland, OH: The Plain Dealer.
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Client's work with MHS is featured.
23-Dec-2003
The Plain Dealer
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Mr. Civy Kelly is a 59-year-old homeless man whose efforts to survive and find help are vividly portrayed in this feature article of The Plain Dealer's Holiday Spirit: A Community in Need, 2003. This campaign raises funds for needy members of the community during the holiday season.
This feature article describes Mr. Kelly's work with Rodney Neal, Sr. of the MHS Outreach and Representative Payee program. It also describes how Mr. Kelly benefits from the MHS Emergency Shelter for Disabled Men, and the supportive services offered by the MHS SPOT program during afternoon and evening hours, seven days per week.
To learn more about the Holiday Spirit campaign, click here.
To read The Plain Dealer feature article, click here.
Garrett, Amanda. (2003, December 23). Agency gives shelter to blind, homeless man. Cleveland, Ohio: The Plain Dealer, p. B-1.
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HUD makes funding decisions for homeless assistance programs.
21-Dec-2003
The Plain Dealer
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The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced its funding decisions for next year’s Homeless Assistance Programs. HUD awarded $2.1 million to MHS programs, as part of $60 million in grants to programs throughout Ohio. HUD chooses new programs based on demonstrated need, the merit of the proposed program, and the experience of the applicant organization. HUD’s decisions about continuation funding of existing programs are largely based on the program’s past performance.
“HUD, citing Urban Institute figures, says about 650,000 people nationwide are homeless on any given night. About 10 percent are continuously or repeatedly homeless, yet they consume about 53 percent of the resources available, HUD said. That's why the Bush administration has made a priority of reducing chronic or long-term homelessness for people who are mentally ill, addicted to alcohol or drugs or physically disabled, said Assistant Housing Secretary Roy Bernardi.”
[ Note: HUD grants for programs in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County totaled $15 million, according to this article. This is 4.2% more than the $14.4 million in local awards last year. HUD grants for programs throughout Ohio totaled $60 million, or 7.9% more than the $55.6 million in grants last year. Click here to see last year's HUD announcement, when Assistant Housing Secretary Roy Bernardi visited MHS.]
Koff, Stephen. (2003, December 21). Ohio to get $60 million in federal homeless grants. Cleveland, OH: The Plain Dealer, p. B-1.
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Plan to add 100 shelter beds is scrapped.
09-Dec-2003
The Plain Dealer
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The owner of a warehouse in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, withdrew an offer made in November to Cuyahoga County officials to convert the warehouse to an overflow shelter for men. According to this report, nearby business owners had complained about the plan because of their beliefs that the homeless men were safety risks. The empty warehouse is about two blocks from a 400-bed shelter for homeless men at 2100 Lakeside Avenue. The report notes that this shelter “has been turning away as many as 100 men a night because of overcrowding.”
Mazzolini, Joan. (2003, December 9). Complaints kill overflow homeless shelter plan. Cleveland, OH: The Plain Dealer, p. B-3.
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Closing of Deaconess Hospital means fewer inpatient psychiatric beds.
29-Nov-2003
The Plain Dealer
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This article reports the closing of Deaconess Hospital on the night of Friday, 28 November 2003, after 81 years of service in the Old Brooklyn neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. The hospital had sought bankruptcy protection twice in the last four years, most recently on 21 November 2003. For clients of MHS, an important part of Deaconess Hospital was its 30-bed inpatient psychiatric unit. The hospital’s closing reduces the supply of inpatient psychiatric services. If an inpatient bed is not available when members of the MHS Mobile Crisis Team conduct an assessment and determine that a client needs inpatient psychiatric services, the client is likely to remain in an emergency room. This is a stressful environment for a person already in crisis, and an inefficient use of emergency medical resources.
Guevara, Damian. (2003, November 29). Patients bundled into cold night as Deaconess shuts its doors. Cleveland, OH: The Plain Dealer, p.A-1.
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MHS Director comments on Urban Institute Study.
20-Nov-2003
The Plain Dealer
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MHS Executive Director Steven M. Friedman, Ph.D., was quoted in an article describing an Urban Institute Study that found that 22% of inmates granted parole from Ohio prisons went to Cuyahoga County. Of those, one fourth went to five Cleveland neighborhoods: Hough, Central, Glenville, Mount Pleasant, and Union-Miles. Parolees represent from 1 to 2% of the population of those neighborhoods. Dr. Friedman stated that “he has seen an influx of prisoners from other counties because, unlike other counties, Cuyahoga County operates two shelters. He said the county also offers a wider array of specialized mental health services, which many prisoners need.”
The Urban Institute’s report is “A Portrait of Prisoner Re-entry in Ohio." Click here for a link to the study.
Wendling, Ted. (2003, November 20). 22 percent of inmates come back to Cuyahoga. Cleveland, OH: The Plain Dealer, pp. B-1 & B-5.
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Mayor Campbell and MHS Director discuss shelter plans with Payne Avenue residents and business operators.
19-Nov-2003
The Plain Dealer
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This article describes the most-recent events in the search for a suitable building and an accepting community for a homeless shelter for women. (The search began nearly a year ago. To see some of the earliest reports, scroll to the bottom of this page.) Catholic Charities, the current operator of the shelter for homeless women, had informed officials of Cuyahoga County earlier this year that it would cease shelter operations this year. MHS has recently been negotiating with Cleveland and Cuyahoga County officials to operate the shelter. Steven M. Friedman, Ph.D., Executive Director; Susan Neth, Director of Homeless Assistance Services; and James Nagle, Director of Administration, have represented MHS in discussions with city and county officials.
This article reports that more than 50 residents and business owners from the Payne Avenue area of downtown Cleveland, Ohio discussed plans for the homeless shelter for women with Cleveland mayor Jane Campbell, MHS Executive Director Steven M. Friedman, Ph.D., and EDEN Executive Director Kathryn Kazol on the evening of Tuesday, 18 November. Officials of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County plan to move the women’s shelter to two adjacent buildings on Payne Avenue, near East 22nd Street, from the shelter’s current location at the Bishop William M. Cosgrove Center, on Superior Avenue and East 18th Street. (The main offices of MHS are in the Cosgrove Center.) The article reported that residents “feel their neighborhood has been treated unfairly by having such a high concentration of homeless people and services.” Steve Horn, a business manager in the area, reported that customers of the Asia Plaza “were harassed for money and that it was especially worrisome to suburbanites who aren't accustomed to seeing homeless people.”
Mayor Campbell reminded residents that the two Payne Avenue buildings are required to be used for homeless assistance services by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which had provided funds for their renovation. The buildings will be managed by Emerald Development and Economic Network, Inc. (EDEN), a non-profit housing development corporation that, like MHS, is a contract agency of the Cuyahoga County Community Mental Health Board. Mayor Campbell implored the residents “to work with shelter operator Steve Friedman to ‘make sure that the services provided are done in such a way that they are safe, secure and respectful of the neighborhood.’ " Dr. Friedman replied that "Safety is our No. 1 issue." Kathryn Kazol stated that the homeless women are already in the area, and emphasized that "Our goal is to stabilize them and get them into permanent housing."
Mazzolini, Joan. (2003, November 19). Neighbors object to homeless shelter. Cleveland, OH: The Plain Dealer, p. B-3.
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Cuyahoga County to add 100 shelter beds for homeless men.
11-Nov-2003
The Plain Dealer
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Cuyahoga County will add 100 new shelter beds for homeless men by converting a warehouse on Hamilton Avenue and East 23rd street into an overflow shelter. On 10 November, the Board of Cuyahoga County Commissioners approved a six-month lease for the warehouse, which is less than two blocks away from a 400-bed shelter for homeless men operated by the Salvation Army. The article reports that 90 men had to sleep outside two weeks ago, because the Salvation Army shelter had no room for additional men.
Of particular note is the article's report that the Salvation Army "and other agencies moved more than 400 homeless men from the shelter into permanent housing over the summer." MHS is one of the "other agencies." MHS conducts regular outreach to the shelter at 2100 Lakeside Avenue. In the year ending 31 January 2003, MHS conducted 524 screening assessments of men at the shelter. MHS linked 73 of the men who had a mental disability to an MHS homeless assistance program, and provided psychiatric services for 42 of these men. MHS also linked 64 other men to other agencies for drug treatment and other services.
Mazzolini, Joan. (2003, November 11). Warhouse to be homeless shelter. Cleveland, OH: The Plain Dealer, p. B3.
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Teenager is sentenced to jail for attack on homeless.
04-Nov-2003
The Plain Dealer
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Joshua Langenheim, 19, pleaded no contest yesterday in Cleveland (Ohio) Municipal Court to three misdemeanor assault charges against homeless people in downtown Cleveland's Public Square on 9 August 2003. Three other teenagers have been charged as juveniles. All four are from the Youngstown (Ohio) area, and have been "accused of coming to Cleveland Aug. 9 and kicking, urinating on and shocking homeless people with a stun gun," while videotaping their assaults. "The tapes ... revealed the teenagers laughing as they filmed their antics." Mr. Langenheim was sentenced by Judge C. Ellen Connally to serve 90 days in the Cleveland House of Correction and 90 days of home arrest, pay a fine of $700, and complete 150 hours of volunteer work with homeless people.
Garrett, Amanda. (2003, November 4). Teenager is sentenced in attack on homeless. Cleveland, OH: The Plain Dealer, pp. B1 & B5.
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Lead editorial supports plan for women's shelter.
31-Oct-2003
The Plain Dealer
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Editors of The Plain Dealer express their support of the decision made earlier in the week by the Board of Commissioners of Cuyahoga County to relocate the emergency shelter for homeless women. The editorial states: “The good news ... is that the county has enlisted two of this community’s ablest nonprofit groups to run the shelter. EDEN, Inc. will manage the property ... Mental Health Services will run the shelter, ensuring that new arrivals will get the attention they require. Both agencies know security is vital to shelter residents and neighbors alike.”[Emphasis added.]
A sensible shelter [Editorial]. (2003, October 31). Cleveland, OH: The Plain Dealer, p. B8.
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Commissioners decide to relocate women's shelter.
30-Oct-2003
The Plain Dealer
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This article reports the decision by the Board of Commissioners of Cuyahoga County to relocate the emergency shelter for homeless women from its current site at the Bishop Cosgrove Center to two buildings on Payne Avenue, between East 22nd and East 23rd streets. The Commissioners will relocate the shelter despite the opposition of Cleveland City Councilman Joe Cimperman. The article notes that the Commissioners are negotiating with MHS to operate the women’s shelter, and that Catholic Charities says it will stop its operation of the shelter by the first of December, 2003. The article also notes that the two Payne Avenue buildings to be used for the shelter were purchased by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development several years ago, and must be used for homeless services.
Mazzolini, Joan (2003, October 30). New shelter for women in the works downtown. Cleveland, OH: The Plain Dealer, pp. B1 & B5.
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Coalition protests plans for women's shelter.
26-Oct-2003
The Plain Dealer
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This story describes demonstrations that are planned for the 27th and 28th of October 2003 to protest the lack of progress in changes to Cuyahoga County’s emergency shelter for women. The group organizing the demonstrations, “Women for Women Coalition,” was formed after several articles were published earlier this year in The Plain Dealer, reporting conditions described as “deplorable” in a shelter for homeless women operated by Catholic Charities. The story reports that protests will target Cleveland City Councilman Joe Cimperman, and the Cuyahoga County Commissioners, because the Coalition believes that they are blocking plans to move the shelter from its current home in the Bishop William M. Cosgrove Building (the site of the main offices of MHS) to two buildings on Payne Avenue that are several blocks east of the Cosgrove Building. (One of these buildings had been the temporary site of the MHS Safe Haven III program, and is to be renovated to provide 16 permanent housing units for a supportive housing program to be operated by MHS.) The article reports that Councilman Cimperman had a meeting with residents now living in the Payne Avenue area, and that Mr. Cimperman said that sentiment against the plan by residents was “pretty unanimous.”
Mazzolini, J. (2003, October 26). Protests to focus on need for shelter. Cleveland, OH: The Plain Dealer,
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Rates of suicide and child abuse climb in Cuyahoga County.
22-Oct-2003
The Plain Dealer
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This article provides findings from "Children and Families," a report published by the Federation for Community Planning, and United Way Services. The article notes that Cleveland and Cuyahoga County have rates of suicide that are higher than that of Ohio, and that local suicide rates have begun to climb. (Click here for local suicide rates, in our web essay, "Understanding Suicide.") The article also presents alarming data about child abuse and neglect: "Child abuse and neglect cases increased in Cleveland and all its suburbs in the last decade. By 2001, Cleveland had 49 cases of abuse or neglect per 1,000 children, while the suburbs had 12. The nationwide rate, which has been declining since 1996, fell to 12 cases per 1,000 children in 2001." According to the article, the "Children and Families" report will be available at the end of October at the Federation website, or by calling the Federation for Community Planning at 216-781-2944,
Ritter, K. (2003, October 22). Abuse, suicide rates continue to climb. Report: City's troubles spreading into suburbs. Cleveland, OH: The Plain Dealer, pp. B1 & B5.
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NEOCH opposes shelter plans.
18-Oct-2003
The Plain Dealer
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In this letter to the editor, Roy C. Love, the President of the Board of Trustees of Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless, wrote: "The Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless supports Cuyahoga County’s effort to move the women’s shelter ... to a new, more appropriate facility. ... While the board of trustees of NEOCH trusts Mental Health Services Inc. to administer the shelter, we must oppose it taking over the operation of the entire women’s shelter. Women at the shelter report to us that they fear that they will be unnecessarily labeled mentally ill if MHS staff have complete control of the women’s shelter. This could be a barrier for women seeking refuge. Whether this labeling creates an incorrect perception or will be the reality, we cannot risk women or families not seeking shelter because of this fear and that of being sent to a psychiatric ward."
Love, R.C. (2003, October 18). Homeless women, advocates fear unfair labels [Letter to the editor]. Cleveland, OH: The Plain Dealer,
(Note: NEOCH Trustees adopted their position statement on 18 September 2003, and sent a letter to Jane Platten of the Cuyahoga County Office of Health and Human Services, with a copy to MHS Executive Director Steven M. Friedman, Ph.D. In his response to NEOCH, Dr. Friedman noted that MHS staff also had discussions with homeless females who participate in our outreach, mental health, housing, and supportive services. He stated that "we have a responsibility to eradicate stigma rather than to legitimize it, which is what your position statement does." He urged NEOCH to "help homeless people to understand and move beyond this stigma, rather than to base their actions upon it.")
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Camp Bridges – a one-day camping experience for traumatized children.
05-Oct-2003
The Plain Dealer
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Camp Bridges – a one-day camping experience for traumatized children – was featured in a story on the first page of the Metro section of The Plain Dealer of Sunday, 5 October 2003.
Camp Bridges was designed for children whose parent died from a violent assault by another, or by suicide. The goal of the experience was to help children express and understand their loss in the context of a supportive and caring community. It was a collaborative effort of The Bereavement Center of the Hospice of the Western Reserve, the Cuyahoga County Department of Justice Affairs, Witness/Victim Service Center, and Mental Health Services for Homeless Persons, Inc. (MHS). The project served 20 children who were 6-12 years old. At least six months had passed since the loss of their parent. Each child was paired with a professional staff member from one of the three participant organizations.
Camp activities were consistent with those used by participant organizations of the National Child Trauma Service Initiative of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Project activities included creation of a memory chest, to facilitate the child’s thought and discussion about the deceased parent, and the meaning of the parent’s loss to the child. Another exercise facilitated the child’s safe expression of anger about the loss. Other exercises were designed to help the child understand and express the emotional and spiritual meaning of the loss.
Sarah McGuire, LISW, the MHS Director of Crisis Services, provided the creative energy and persistent leadership needed to transform an idea into this unique experience. To learn more about the programs that Sarah directs, please visit the pages describing our Mobile Crisis Team, our Child Trauma Services, the Children Who Witness Violence (CWWV) program outcomes, and the CWWV review.
Ewinger, J. (2003, October 5). Children who lost parents find meaning at camp. Day of hiking, crafts, sharing helps them to deal with tragedy. Cleveland, OH: The Plain Dealer, pp. B1, B3.
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CMHA approves preference for homeless.
02-Oct-2003
The Plain Dealer
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This article, "from staff reports," states that "Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority commissioners yesterday unanimously approved an operating plan for next year that includes revised admission preferences for five groups of people, including homeless applicants. Housing advocates and government officials opposed an original proposal to eliminate preferential treatment for the homeless. The other groups are people who have been involuntarily displaced, those who have successfully completed a substance abuse program, veterans and working families. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires public housing authorities to submit five-year plans and one-year operating plans."
Housing agency OKs plan. (2003, October 2). Cleveland, OH: The Plain Dealer, p. B3.
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Owner of Jay Hotel may not sell.
02-Oct-2003
The Plain Dealer
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Chuck Minadeo, owner of the Jay Hotel in the Ohio City area of Cleveland, Ohio, says he won’t sell the Hotel to a developer, as he had told neighbors, unless the building remains for the poor. The article reports that in May, the City of Cleveland threatened to close the hotel if the owner did not sell it by December 1. The hotel has 90 rooms, and provides short-term, inexpensive housing. Mr. Minadeo said "We take people in off of the streets. We give them a chance to clean up and get their lives together." Although Mr. Minadeo is reported to have signed a $700,000 purchase agreement in August, 2003, with CenterPoint Properties, he now says he won’t sell unless CenterPoint keeps the building for the poor.
Perkins, O. (2003, October 2). Owner of hotel for the needy threatens to block condo plan. Cleveland, OH: The Plain Dealer, p. B3.
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An NPR Special Report: Housing First
22-Sep-2003
NPR - National Public Radio
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The "cause of the moment" in the 1980's, homelessness has since become a less prominent social issue. This excellent report from National Public Radio reminds us that homelessness has actually increased during the past 15 years, as housing has become less affordable. The report quotes Brad Paul of the National Coalition for the Homeless, who says "We have a severe affordable housing crisis, pure and simple."
About 800,000 people (including 200,000 children) are estimated to be homeless in the U.S. on any given day, according to Martha Burt, a sociologist and researcher. During a year, about 3.5 million people (including 0.9-1.4 million children) are homeless, and 71% are in central cities. A survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau in 1996 found that most homeless people enrolled in homeless assistance programs are single males. About 15% of those in homeless programs are part of a homeless family, and these families have an average of 2.2 children, two-thirds of whom are less than nine years of age. One-fourth of homeless people reported a history of childhood physical or sexual abuse, and about one-fifth of the homeless adults experienced homelessness at some time as a child. Most of the homeless adults surveyed had less than a high-school education, and 44% had worked for pay during the past month. Half of homeless adults have incomes of less that $300 per month.
"Many homeless adults have physical and mental disabilities, and thus qualify for federal supplemental security income (SSI). But many never apply for or succeed in getting SSI -- and if SSI is all they have to live on, they're still at risk. According to research sponsored by a coalition of disabilities groups, there was not one housing market in the country where a disabled person living solely on SSI could afford to rent an efficiency or one-bedroom apartment."
The survey found that many homeless people have serious, untreated health problems: 26% had at least one acute, infectious condition (e.g., cold, pneumonia, tuberculosis); 46% had at least one chronic health condition (e.g., arthritis, diabetes, cancer). Most remarkably, the survey found that 66% of the homeless adults surveyed "had alcohol, drug or mental health problems during the previous month." However, 55% have no healthcare insurance (compared with 16% of all Americans).
Housing first: A special report. (2003, September). NPR News. – and –
Karaim, R. (2003, September). Homelessness and health. NPR News. Retrieved Monday, 22 September 2003 from:
http://www.npr.org/news/specials/housingfirst/whoneeds/ homelss.html#sidebar
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"Homeless to Harvard" woman speaks to children.
20-Sep-2003
Walla Walla (Washington) Union Bulletin
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Liz Murray, the subject of the film "Homeless to Harvard," told 460 sixth-grade students of the decisions and people that led to her transformation. Ms Murray was a child of drug-addicted parents in the Bronx. She told students she rarely attended school because she was teased and threatened. At age 14, she left school, and for three years lived on the streets of New York City with a friend. At age 16, her mother’s death from HIV prompted her to think about her future. She decided to begin high school at age 17, and finished in two years with "A" average grades. In one of many applications for a college scholarship, she wrote an essay for The New York Times, and won a scholarship for Harvard University. She’s now a film student at Columbia University, and told the students in her audience "It took me years to realize I would have to go forward alone. Whatever you do or don’t do with your lives is up to you."
Grimes, C. (2003, September 20). "Homeless to Harvard" woman tells her story. Union-Bulletin. Walla Walla, WA: Union Bulletin. Retrieved Monday, 22 September 2003 from:
http://union-bulletin.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=18425
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"Homeless still get preference at CMHA"
19-Sep-2003
The Plain Dealer
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The Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) agreed that homeless applicants will be among five groups who have preferential access to housing, according to this report. In an earlier proposal, CMHA did not include those who were homeless. U.S. Representative Dennis Kucinich urged CMHA commissioners to retain the preference for homeless people, writing to the CMHA that "This preference has enabled many homeless people and families to get back on their feet." Linda Hudecek, Cleveland Director of Community Development, also asked the CMHA to retain the preference for homeless people.
Chatman, A.D. (2003, September 19). Homeless still get preference at CMHA. Cleveland, OH: The Plain Dealer, p. B7.
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Attacks on homeless
18-Sep-2003
The Plain Dealer
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This update in the "Law & Order" column of the Metro section reports that "Three Youngstown boys accused in attacks on the homeless pleaded not guilty in Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court yesterday. Judge Alison Floyd set a trial date of Oct. 23. The boys, ages 17, 17, and 16, are in the custody of their parents. A fourth suspect, Joshuah Langenheim, 19, is charged as an adult and is due in court Sept. 25. The boys are accused of videotaping each other Aug. 9 as they assaulted a half-dozen homeless men." Reference: Boys deny charges. (2003, September 18) The Plain Dealer, p. B3.
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Senator DeWine proposes help for homeless, disabled children
17-Sep-2003
Senate Bill 1619
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Homeless children (and foster children) with disabilities would have access to special education, in legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Mike DeWine (R-Ohio), and Senator Patty Murray (D-Washington). Their Senate Bill, "Improving Education for Homeless and Foster Children with Disabilities Act," proposes to modify the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It would allow relatives and others to serve as a "parent" when biological parents are unavailable; require that educational placements comply with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act; require that a child’s Individualized Education Plan continue to be implemented until a new one is developed; require that assessments be done within specified time limits; and take other steps intended to improve access of homeless children to special education services.
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Hospital to close
17-Sep-2003
The Plain Dealer
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This first-page, lead story reports that University Hospitals Health System announced that St. Michael’s Hospital in the Slavik Village area of Cleveland will stop providing services December 19th, due to low use and high operational costs. MetroHealth Medical Center will provide primary care in the St. Michael’s emergency room until March 1st. At that time, MetroHealth will open a community health center a mile from the St. Michael’s site. St. Michael’s provides healthcare services to many poor and homeless persons. The hospital first opened in 1884 as St. Alexis Hospital, and was built by the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration. It was purchased by University Hospitals Health System in 2000. Reference: Solov, D., & McEnery, R. (2003, September 17). Saint Michael Hospital to close. The Plain Dealer, pp. A1, A6.
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Editorial supports plan for women’s shelter.
10-Sep-2003
The Plain Dealer
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This editorial reviews recent issues with the County’s emergency shelter for women, and recommends the city and county proceed with plans to move the shelter to two buildings on Payne Avenue. It states that Cuyahoga County "has approached two premier nonprofits – Mental Health Services and EDEN Inc. – to run the women’s shelter," and concludes that the plan is "reasonably priced," and "deserves serious exploration." Reference: Opinion: A solution worth pursuing. (2003, September 10). The Plain Dealer, p. B8.
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Attacks on homeless.
09-Sep-2003
The Plain Dealer
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This update in the "Law & Order" column of the Metro section reports a lawsuit filed by the attorney of James "Ziggy" Muro, one of the homeless men who reported being attacked on Public Square (in downtown, Cleveland, Ohio) on the night of 9 August 2003 by four young men. The suit accuses Joshua Langenheim, 19, of Youngstown, Ohio, and three juveniles of assault and battery and inflicting emotional distress. "It also accuses the juveniles’ unnamed parents of parental negligence." Police had arrested the four young men, "and said the suspects videotaped their attacks on homeless people, including jolting some with a stun gun." Reference: Homeless man sues attacker. (2003, September 9). The Plain Dealer, p. B3.
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Cuyahoga County plans to move women’s shelter to Payne Ave.
30-Aug-2003
The Plain Dealer
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An article on the first page of the Metro section describing Cuyahoga County’s proposal to move the emergency shelter for women to two buildings on Payne Avenue. Catholic Charities, which had a $1.1 million contract to operate the shelter, had told the County it would cease shelter services on 1 September. The Plain Dealer had published stories last year and earlier this year about "cramped and moldy conditions in the former garage" where the shelter was located, and about complaints of "drug use and workers having sex with the women." The story notes that the "county is negotiating with Mental Health Services Inc. to operate the shelter." Reference: : Mazzolini, J. (2003, August 30). County proposes move down street for troubled homeless women’s shelter. The Plain Dealer, pp. B1, B5.
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Finding a new shelter site for homeless women and children.
14-Dec-2002
The Plain Dealer
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Finding a suitable building and an accepting community for a homeless shelter is described in this first page article. Catholic Charities currently operates an emergency shelter for homeless women and children in a building on East 18th Street, between Superior and Payne Avenues, just east of the main offices of MHS. The converted garage that was intended to provide shelter for 50 women and children now routinely serves 80 per night, and served 102 on a recent night, according to the article. Water leaks and mold have been problems.
County Commissioner Tim McCormack has proposed using the Bessie Benner Metzenbaum Children’s Center as a new site for the shelter. The Center is a county-owned building near Cuyahoga Community College, just southeast of downtown Cleveland, Ohio. Commissioner Jimmy Dimora supports using the Center as a temporary site until Catholic Charities can find a permanent one. Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones wasn’t sure that use of the Center was the only option. Health officials from the county and city are reported to be completing tests on the current shelter.
Ritter, K. (2002, December 14). Homeless shelter site has officials at odds. The Plain Dealer, pp. A1, A10.
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For other news and information about MHS, click on the links below.
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Copyright ©
Mental Health Services for Homeless Persons, Inc. (MHS)
1744 Payne Avenue; Cleveland, Ohio 44114 U.S.A.
216-623-6555 - TTY/TDD: 216-623-6540
The URL of this page is
http://www.mhs-inc.org/News-2003.asp
It was most recently updated on 24 May 2007.
We welcome your comments.
Please write to Joel[at]mhs-inc.org
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