Keep The Good Going.

Avon/Avon Lake Community Resource Services (CRS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting residents of Avon and Avon Lake, Ohio, by providing essential assistance with compassion and confidentiality. Their mission is to alleviate the effects of poverty by assessing individual needs and connecting people with the resources necessary to thrive.

CRS offers a variety of programs to address both immediate and long-term needs. Their on-site food pantry provides emergency food for individuals and families in crisis. They also provide emergency financial assistance for basic necessities such as utilities, rent, auto repairs, medical expenses, and educational costs.

Beyond immediate aid, CRS supports personal development through programs focused on financial stability, health and wellness, job training, and education. They assist clients with information, referrals, and advocacy services for needs that extend beyond what CRS can directly provide.

Seasonal and holiday programs further support the community, offering school supplies, holiday food baskets, Santa’s Workshop, and gift programs for seniors.

Founded in 1988, CRS has grown with the help of a dedicated staff and volunteers, operating under a “People Helping People” ethos. Their vision is a stronger, more stable community where everyone has access to basic support and the tools to build a better future.

Blessing House is a faith-based, non-denominational crisis care center serving children and families in Lorain County, Ohio. The organization provides residential care for children from birth up to age 12 when their parents or caregivers are experiencing emergencies such as homelessness, substance abuse, illness, or other crises.

Since opening in 2005, Blessing House has operated 24/7, caring for children in a safe, home-like environment. The center provides trauma-informed, loving care, along with developmental assessments, academic support, and age-appropriate activities designed to nurture each child’s growth and well-being.

In addition to caring for children, Blessing House supports parents and caregivers by offering guidance, connecting them to community resources, and providing ongoing follow-up after a child’s stay. This approach helps families build stability and work toward reunification whenever possible.

Rooted in compassion, service, and faith, Blessing House views its work as a ministry. Its mission is to provide a safe haven for children in times of crisis, while supporting families to heal, grow, and remain together. Through dedicated care and community partnerships, Blessing House helps children thrive and families regain hope during challenging times.

Building Hope in the City (BHITC) is a faith-based nonprofit working to renew urban Cleveland by empowering people and cultivating strong communities. The organization partners with local churches, residents, and volunteers to address needs in housing, education, employment, and neighborhood development. Key initiatives include literacy programs, refugee resettlement services, workforce training, and church partnerships that strengthen urban ministry. BHITC’s focus on leadership development equips residents to drive positive change within their own communities, ensuring long-term impact. Volunteers play a central role, building relationships and sharing resources that reflect the organization’s commitment to both compassion and justice. By combining practical assistance with a vision for spiritual and community renewal, Building Hope in the City uplifts individuals while transforming neighborhoods into places of hope, opportunity, and belonging.

Canopy Child Advocacy Center in Cleveland, Ohio, provides a safe, child-friendly environment for children and families affected by abuse. Established in 2018, the center was created through a collaboration of local agencies, including law enforcement, child protective services, prosecutors, hospital systems, and advocacy groups, with the goal of reducing the trauma children often experience when they must recount their story multiple times.

At Canopy, a multidisciplinary team meets regularly to coordinate investigations, forensic interviews, medical evaluations, mental health therapy, and victim advocacy. Originally focused on children 12 and under, the center now serves youth throughout Cuyahoga County, including victims of human trafficking up to age 18.

Canopy’s approach emphasizes collaboration, compassion, and trauma-informed care, ensuring that every child receives comprehensive support from a team of trained professionals. In addition to direct services, the center is expanding its preventive efforts, partnering with local hospitals and organizations to address abuse and neglect proactively.

The mission of Canopy Child Advocacy Center is to promote safety, healing, and resilience for children and families. By providing coordinated services and fostering strong community partnerships, Canopy works to ensure that children impacted by abuse can recover, thrive, and move forward with hope.

Chair-ity is a nonprofit organization that helps young adults transitioning out of the foster care system furnish their first independent homes. When foster youth turn 18 and leave state care, they often have no furniture or household essentials. Chair-ity steps in to fill that gap, ensuring these young adults can start their independent lives with dignity and comfort.

The organization works closely with social workers, shelters, and community partners to match clients with donated furniture and home goods. All items are carefully cleaned, inspected, and made ready for use. Recipients can select items from an inventory, and Chair-ity arranges delivery and setup so their homes feel welcoming and complete.

Based in Northeast Ohio, Chair-ity primarily serves young adults in Cuyahoga, Summit, and surrounding counties. Since its founding, the organization has delivered hundreds of tons of furniture, supporting hundreds of young adults and their children, while also reducing waste by keeping furniture out of landfills.

Chair-ity’s mission goes beyond providing furniture—it is about creating stability, dignity, and a sense of home for former foster youth. By helping these young adults establish a safe and supportive living environment, Chair-ity empowers them to build a foundation for long-term success.

The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC) is a vital resource for survivors of rape, sexual abuse, and human trafficking in Northeast Ohio. Their mission is to support survivors, promote healing, prevent sexual violence, and advocate for meaningful social change. Each year, CRCC serves thousands of individuals across multiple counties in the region.

CRCC operates a 24-hour, confidential Crisis & Support Hotline, staffed by trained advocates who listen, believe survivors, and connect them with resources for recovery and next steps. Their advocacy program assists survivors through the criminal justice system, helping them understand their options, accompanying them to legal or police processes, and supporting applications for compensation, all while respecting the survivor’s choices.

Counseling services are available for adult and child survivors, as well as their loved ones, including individual therapy, family counseling, and support groups. Services are offered both in-person and through telehealth to ensure accessibility. CRCC also serves specific populations, including college students, Spanish-speaking clients, survivors of human trafficking, and people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

With multiple office locations and partner sites throughout Northeast Ohio, CRCC ensures that help is accessible close to home. Their work focuses on safety, healing, and empowerment for every survivor.

Community Service Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping men transition out of homelessness, addiction, and poverty into stable, independent lives. Their mission focuses on fostering independence through housing, employment, and personal development.

CSA operates sober-living facilities that provide short-term housing and a supportive environment for men working toward permanent independence. Alongside housing, residents gain work experience and career skills through partnerships with local businesses, including on-the-job training and employment opportunities.

Personal development is central to CSA’s approach. Residents receive mentoring, engage in community service, and build trust, responsibility, and life skills. Programs emphasize financial stability, behavioral wellness, and spiritual growth, empowering participants to rebuild their lives with confidence.

Through faith-driven support, holistic programs, and strong community partnerships, Community Service Alliance restores dignity, promotes self-sufficiency, and transforms lives, helping men create a foundation for long-term stability while strengthening the broader community.

Goods Bank NEO is a nonprofit based in Cleveland, Ohio, that strengthens community organizations by redistributing new, surplus goods that might otherwise go to waste. Their mission is to connect companies with nonprofits, schools, and faith-based groups, enabling these organizations to access essential items—such as hygiene products, clothing, furniture, and household goods—at a minimal cost.

By acting as a redistribution hub, Goods Bank NEO reduces environmental waste while supporting the social sector. Businesses are encouraged to donate overstock or returned items, while nonprofits can stretch their resources further and better serve their communities.

Nonprofit members pay a nominal handling fee to “shop” in Goods Bank’s warehouse, taking the items they need for operations or direct distribution to those they serve. Volunteers play a key role in sorting, evaluating, and organizing inventory, as well as helping with donation drives.

Goods Bank NEO collaborates with larger networks to ensure high-quality goods reach people in need. By providing these resources, the organization allows nonprofits to focus more of their funding on direct services while helping individuals and families access the basic essentials needed to thrive.

Greater Cleveland Food Bank is Northeast Ohio’s largest hunger relief organization, dedicated to ensuring that everyone in the community has access to nutritious food every day. Serving a six-county area, the Food Bank partners with over 1,000 local agencies—including food pantries, shelters, and meal programs—to distribute millions of pounds of food annually.

The organization operates a network of food pantries and mobile pantries, bringing fresh produce and other essentials to underserved neighborhoods. Through community meals and shelters, the Food Bank provides prepared meals via more than 100 partner agencies, ensuring that those in need have access to hot, nutritious food. Its children’s programs, such as Backpack for Kids and Summer Feeding, help guarantee that children have food outside of school hours, while senior programs deliver nutritious food directly through Senior Markets and Senior Boxes. Additionally, the Food Bank emphasizes health and wellness through Food as Medicine and nutrition programs, offering cooking demonstrations, education, and initiatives like Nourishing Beginnings.

Through these comprehensive efforts, Greater Cleveland Food Bank not only addresses immediate hunger but also works to improve the long-term health and well-being of the community.

Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to building strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. Serving Cuyahoga and Lorain counties, the organization empowers families by providing affordable homeownership opportunities and revitalizing neighborhoods in need. Habitat builds and rehabilitates homes, selling them at no profit with zero-interest mortgages and minimal down payments, while homebuyers contribute 200 hours of “sweat equity” and attend educational workshops to ensure long-term success.

In addition to homeownership, Habitat offers critical home repair, providing exterior repairs such as roofing, gutters, siding, and windows in neighborhoods like Buckeye-Woodhill and East 143rd Street, often partnering with local businesses to complete projects. The organization also focuses on neighborhood revitalization, collaborating with residents and local groups to improve communities through block beautification and other initiatives that foster pride and ownership. Habitat’s ReStore locations in Cleveland, North Randall, and Amherst sell donated furniture, appliances, and building materials to fund its mission.

Through these programs, Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity has helped over 275 families achieve homeownership, positively impacting more than 900 children and strengthening communities across the region.

The May Dugan Center offers comprehensive, holistic support to individuals and families across the Cleveland area. Its team is dedicated to addressing both immediate needs and long-term growth through a wide range of programs. May Dugan provides food and clothing distribution to ensure that those experiencing hardship have essential items. Its behavioral health services offer counseling for mental health and substance-use challenges, including intensive outpatient programs. Through the Education & Resource Center, adults can complete their education, access valuable resources, and secure better employment opportunities. The Trauma Recovery Center provides critical support to victims of crime and trauma, helping them rebuild their lives with care and dignity, while Seniors on the Move keeps older adults active, engaged, and connected within the community. Additionally, May Dugan supports refugees and immigrants, helping them navigate housing, employment, and community integration.

By meeting people where they are and offering pathways forward, the May Dugan Center strengthens families, uplifts individuals, and fosters resilience and hope throughout Cleveland. Its comprehensive approach ensures that everyone it serves has the opportunity to thrive and build a brighter, more stable future.

Merrick House, located in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood, is a settlement house dedicated to strengthening families and building community. For more than a century, Merrick House has provided programs that support children, adults, and seniors. Services include high-quality early childhood education, after-school enrichment, and teen leadership development, ensuring young people have the tools to succeed. Adults benefit from workforce training, parenting classes, and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs that foster independence and opportunity. Merrick House also operates community outreach initiatives and health and wellness programs that promote overall stability and wellbeing. Deeply rooted in its neighborhood, Merrick House serves as a gathering place, advocate, and lifeline for generations of families. Its mission is to empower people to overcome obstacles and build brighter futures through education, opportunity, and community support.

The Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless (NEOCH) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending homelessness in Northeast Ohio by addressing its root causes. Founded in 1987, NEOCH unites a diverse coalition of service providers, people experiencing homelessness, social justice groups, and community members to advocate for systemic change.

NEOCH provides direct support through street outreach, offering trauma-informed, relational assistance to connect unhoused individuals with housing, healthcare, and other essential services. They operate seasonal shelter programs that provide safe overnight spaces, warm meals, storage for personal belongings, and access to social services.

Advocacy is a core focus for NEOCH, which pushes for policy reforms, raises public awareness about housing inequities, and works to dismantle structural barriers, including racism, that contribute to homelessness. They also host housing clinics to help individuals navigate shelter applications, obtain identification, and access long-term housing resources.

In addition, NEOCH publishes the Street Card, a free guide listing vital resources for people experiencing homelessness. Through a combination of advocacy, education, organizing, and direct service, the organization envisions a community where every person has a safe, stable place to call home. NEOCH’s work emphasizes inclusivity, systemic change, and collective action to ensure that no one is left without shelter or support.

Oberlin Community Services (OCS) provides essential resources and supportive services to individuals and families in Oberlin and surrounding Lorain County communities. At its core, OCS operates a robust food pantry and food distribution program, ensuring that no neighbor goes hungry. Beyond immediate relief, OCS connects people to housing assistance, utility support, transportation resources, and workforce development opportunities. Its approach blends direct aid with case management, empowering clients to overcome barriers and work toward greater self-sufficiency. In addition, OCS collaborates with local schools, churches, and organizations to address community-wide needs, particularly those related to poverty and inequality. Guided by a mission of compassion, justice, and dignity, OCS is a trusted partner for families in crisis and a catalyst for community resilience.

Providence House is Cleveland’s first licensed crisis nursery, dedicated to keeping kids safe and families together. The organization provides free, voluntary, non-custodial emergency shelter for children from birth to age 12, alongside family preservation services that support parents or guardians in navigating crises and building long-term stability.

Children in emergency situations receive loving care in a safe, home-like environment staffed 24/7. They are offered educational and developmental enrichment, while their families work with licensed social workers on case management, trauma screening, and connections to community resources. The goal is to strengthen families and safely reunite children with their parents.

Providence House has a long history of positive outcomes, with nearly 99% of families who brought a child into the crisis nursery successfully reunited after engaging with its services. Its holistic approach addresses both immediate safety and long-term family stability, ensuring children thrive and families remain intact.

By supporting Providence House, our community can help protect children in crisis and strengthen families across Cleveland.

Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio is the region’s largest hunger-relief organization, serving Crawford, Erie, Huron, and Lorain counties. Working with more than 100 partner food pantries, meal sites, and shelters, Second Harvest distributes millions of pounds of food each year to families, children, and seniors facing food insecurity. In addition to providing fresh produce and pantry staples, the organization operates school-based pantries, mobile food distributions, and partnerships with healthcare and social service agencies to connect people with long-term resources. Nutrition education and advocacy further strengthen its impact. With the support of donors, volunteers, and community partners, Second Harvest works to reduce food waste and bring hope, dignity, and nourishment to neighbors in need.

St. Herman House – FOCUS Cleveland is a faith-based nonprofit dedicated to serving men experiencing homelessness in Cleveland. As part of the FOCUS North America network, its mission is to provide shelter, support, and guidance to help men move toward stability, independence, and well-being.

The organization operates a 28-bed emergency shelter and a 12-bed transitional home, offering residents not only a safe place to stay, but also case management, life skills support, and job-readiness programs. Staff and volunteers work alongside residents in daily activities, helping them build experience, responsibility, and confidence.

St. Herman House provides three hot meals every day of the year to residents and community members in need. In addition, the center offers clothing, hygiene items, showers, and monthly grocery distributions for families with children.

Through its case management program, FOCUS Cleveland assists guests in navigating challenges such as housing, substance use, healthcare, and employment. Their approach emphasizes dignity, compassion, and holistic support, ensuring that each individual receives the guidance and resources necessary to regain self-sufficiency. Rooted in hospitality and spiritual care, St. Herman House works to transform lives and strengthen the community, one person at a time.

Laura’s Home, a ministry of The City Mission in Cleveland, provides refuge and restoration for women and children experiencing homelessness or crisis. More than an emergency shelter, Laura’s Home offers long-term, faith-based programming designed to meet immediate needs and build lasting stability. Residents receive safe housing, nutritious meals, clothing, and counseling while also participating in life-skills classes, education support, and workforce readiness programs. Staff walk alongside women to address the root causes of poverty, trauma, and homelessness, empowering them toward independence. Laura’s Home serves hundreds of families each year, offering dignity and hope while helping women and children rebuild their lives in a supportive, Christ-centered community.

True Freedom Ministries is a Christ-centered nonprofit organization in Cleveland, Ohio, dedicated to reaching individuals in prisons, those experiencing homelessness, and those struggling with addiction. Their mission is to share the message of true freedom found only in Jesus Christ, offering hope and transformation to those in need.

Through its Prison Ministry, True Freedom Ministries provides spiritual guidance, discipleship, and mentorship to help participants become committed followers of Christ, resulting in a low recidivism rate and lasting transformation. The organization also operates an Addiction Recovery Ministry, hosting weekly Reformers Unanimous meetings that offer support, accountability, and faith-based guidance for those overcoming addiction. Its Homeless Ministry serves hot meals and shares the love of Jesus every Saturday night, providing both physical nourishment and spiritual encouragement.

In addition, True Freedom Ministries partners with local churches to equip congregations for prison, homeless, and addiction recovery ministries and offers pastoral counseling and support for families affected by incarceration, addiction, and homelessness. Through these programs, True Freedom Ministries strengthens lives and families across Northeast Ohio, helping individuals find lasting freedom, hope, and renewal through faith.

The West Side Catholic Center (WSCC) in Cleveland is a faith-rooted nonprofit that supports individuals and families facing poverty, homelessness, and crisis. Its mission—grounded in faith, hope, love, and respect—is to provide food, clothing, shelter, advocacy, and pathways toward self-sufficiency for anyone in need, regardless of religious affiliation.

WSCC offers a range of services through five core program areas:

• Resource Center: Open six days a week, providing free meals, day shelter, clothing, personal care items, legal assistance, and wellness programs.
• Workforce Development: Job-readiness training, financial literacy, and advanced skills training to help clients secure long-term employment.
• Housing Solutions: Includes a women-and-children shelter and rapid re-housing support to stabilize families.
• Economic Opportunities: Financial education, employment support, and individualized coaching to help clients achieve financial independence.
• Family Services: Trauma-informed care, advocacy, and case management to help families build resilience.

WSCC emphasizes a trauma-informed approach, training staff and volunteers to deliver programs that restore dignity and empower individuals on their journey to self-reliance. Through its comprehensive, no-cost support, West Side Catholic Center works to transform lives and strengthen the community, helping people move from crisis toward stability and long-term success.

Youth Challenge enriches the lives of young people with physical disabilities by pairing them with teen volunteers in a variety of adapted sports, recreation, and social activities. Founded on inclusion and friendship, the organization serves as a safe, encouraging environment where participants can build confidence, independence, and lifelong connections. Each program is carefully designed so that every child, regardless of ability, can actively engage and succeed. Teen volunteers benefit equally, learning empathy, leadership, and teamwork through hands-on service. With a commitment to accessibility and joy, Youth Challenge provides year-round activities at no cost to families, ensuring financial barriers never limit participation. By breaking down social and physical barriers, Youth Challenge creates a vibrant community of empowerment and belonging.

YWCA Greater Cleveland is a longstanding nonprofit organization committed to empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Founded in 1868, it has been a steadfast advocate for individuals facing homelessness, trauma, and systemic barriers to stability.

At the heart of its work is the Norma Herr Women’s Center, Cleveland’s only low-barrier emergency shelter for women aged 18–80, serving an average of 170 women each night. The organization also operates Independence Place & NIA, a 23-unit permanent supportive housing program for young adults aged 18–24 who have experienced homelessness, providing personalized case management and guidance. Cogswell Hall offers permanent supportive housing and specialized care for adults who have faced homelessness, helping them build stability and independence. In addition, the Early Learning Center, a Gold Star-rated, two-generational Pre-K program for children aged 3–5, focuses on social and emotional development for both children and their families.