In 2017, Community West Foundation purchased a replica of the Homeless Jesus sculpture by Canadian artist, Timothy Schmalz. This single artwork has since traveled to dozens of churches and partner organizations as a powerful public reminder of the importance of caring for those in need. In October of 2020, Homeless Jesus was situated on the grounds of Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church in Bay Village in a location facing Bradley Road Park. Shortly after its arrival, local police were notified of a homeless person laying on a park bench. The call was picked-up by local news outlets, sparking significant public dialogue, along with a flurry of local and national media attention. Issues of privilege, compassion, and empathy, among others, were brought to light.
With this in mind, Community West Foundation expanded the important conversation with the acquisition of five of the six permanent artworks in the Matthew 25 Collection created by Schmalz. The sixth artwork, When I Was Hungry and Thirsty, was acquired several years ago by Old Stone Church and is installed in front of the church on Public Square, in downtown Cleveland. Cleveland is only the second city in the world, following Rome, Italy, to have the full collection of all six bronze figures in the Matthew 25 Collection. A map of locations is available at
www.Matthew25CLE.org.
Timothy Schmalz contacted Community West Foundation about bringing the Let the Oppressed Go Free sculpture to Cleveland.