Every fall the West Side Catholic Center appeals to individuals like you for your support, profiling clients whose lives have been changed by the Center’s very existence. In 2008 we told you the story of a Vietnam veteran who suffered for years from post traumatic stress disorder that left him isolated, homeless and hopeless.After a year of eating lunch at the Center, he finally agreed to let us provide him with the mental health care he needed.Soon, he found low income housing, obtained his State ID and opened his own bank account. Andrew’s plight in 2009 highlighted the helplessness of a homeless man who could not read.His illiteracy would have prevented him from receiving the basic disability in order to pay rent and provide for himself were it not for the intervention of the WSCC staff. And last year chronicled 8-year-old Maria’s inability to understand why she, her brother and her mother had to leave their home after being evicted.The Center’s Women and Children’s Shelter, which provided Maria and her family shelter and sustenance in the cold of winter. There is no shortage of stories to choose from this year, no lack of heart-tugging anecdotes.Come to the Center on any morning to see the line of hundreds waiting for food and clothing.Each one has a unique life story of his or her own.The problem in 2011 isn’t finding someone with a compelling story. The problem is that there are too many. We look forward to the day when poverty no longer exists, when everyone has a job, a home, food, clothing and peace of mind.This year, this day, we find our services in demand more than ever before and remain in critical need of your support.We hope you will consider helping us with a donation in 2011.
The Gift of Hope The West Side Catholic Center provides support to our area’s homeless 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our residents receive personal support; a safe, warm place to call home in their time of need; food; basic necessities; and the tools and resources for independent futures. A few examples of the impact your donation can make: †$150 provides for clothing for 50 people. †$250 provides for 70 hot meals. †$500 provides for 2 weeks of housing in the Shelter for 1 woman. †$1,000 provides rent to support one Zacchaeus household for one month.
We gratefully accept donations of in-season clothing, toiletries, small household items and food, and your donations are tax deductible.
~ 3135 Lorain Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44113 ~ 216.631.4741 ~ 216.631.2379 (fax) ~ The West Side Catholic Center is an independent, non-denominational 501c3 organization Privacy Policy
