The coronavirus has exposed deep, persistent cracks in our society that were not as evident in the rush of our everyday lives just a few months ago. Or, perhaps, we used our busyness as an excuse to look past them or pretend they were not there.
To get housing, you need ID. To get an ID in Ohio, you need a proof of legal residence in the United States, proof of Ohio residency and proof of a social security number. Those are the minimum requirements. How do you provide any of these documents if you have been experiencing homelessness or living on the streets and in a shelter?
-Due to the current state of the COVID-19 virus, we are not accepting used clothing or household donations as we are taking several precautions to keep the vulnerable men at Joseph’s Home safe. But as the weather in Cleveland begins to warm up, the residents at Joseph’s Home are in need of some summer items. We ask that you visit our Amazon wish list to purchase items such as sunscreen, shorts, and t-shirts for the men.
“Things are relatively calm and peaceful here, even amidst the chaos.” – Raven Kauffman, Respite Care Manager
As the COVID-19 Pandemic continues, residents at Joseph’s Home remain diligent with their social distancing but even still are finding ways to accomplish their goals and socialize with one another.
Peer Recovery Specialist Jeffrey Saunders is the newest member of the Joseph’s Home family. Jeffrey was hired in April, in the mist of the COVID-19 pandemic but has already brought a sense of support for the residents and alumni despite the challenges of the pandemic. In his role, Jeffrey serves as someone who shares some lived experience with residents and alumni, and who has undergone training to support those who struggle with substance use, mental health, or psychological trauma.
All of us at Joseph’s Home are appalled at the violence and racism inflicted on African Americans, as evidenced most recently by the horrific killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and others. Joseph’s Home extends its deepest sympathies to all who have suffered from these injustices.
A group of St. Angela Merici confirmation students created artwork and wrote notes of encouragement to the medically fragile men experiencing homelessness at Joseph’s Home.
Joseph’s Home residents and alumni are among the populations considered at high risk of complications from COVID-19. “For everyone’s safety, we are restricting outside visitors and all trips but for essential appointments,” said Joseph’s Home Executive Director Beth Graham. While Joseph’s Home staff and residents work diligently to maintain social distancing practices, limiting appointments and visitors, and suspending volunteer activities and programs, the risk of social isolation is high.
Fidelity Investments donated a meal to the Joseph’s Home staff, tirelessly working to care for the vulnerable, medically fragile men experiencing homelessness.
“The Joseph’s Home team has been working on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis to protect the health of our residents and continue their journey on a path toward self-sufficiency,” said Beth Graham, executive director of Joseph’s Home. “I am grateful for our team’s unwavering commitment to our men, despite the challenges of quarantines, heightened family responsibilities and working remotely.”
The B’laster Corporation (B’laster Corp.) has donated three cases of hand sanitizer to Joseph’s Home, a residential facility serving medically-fragile men experiencing homelessness. B’laster Corp. recently began sourcing and producing hand sanitizer in response to requests from its essential hardware retail customers and decided to manufacture additional sanitizer for donation. In total, B’laster Corp. will produce more than 22,000 bottles of sanitizer specifically earmarked for donation.
Joseph’s Home has been awarded a $20,500 grant from Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund to support the purchase medical and disinfecting supplies for the medical respite shelter, help transition to mobile capabilities for staff and to expedite the relocation of medically at-risk clients in Cuyahoga County to permanent housing.
Joseph & Mary’s Home, a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System, provides a nurturing, caring environment for adults without resources who have acute medical needs, helping them heal and achieve independence.