A Call to Action: Flood City Hall—No More Freezing to Death in Cleveland
Join NEOCH and Cleveland homeless advocates on Monday, January 6th, to call on City Council to take measurable action on a community cold weather plan.
As people of faith, conscience, and compassion, we believe in a community that does not let people freeze to death. This starts with supporting Denison Avenue United Church of Christ and its partnership with The Metanoia Project. This partnership is the best and safest option for those who remain unsheltered in our community. Furthermore, we recognize this project as a protected and essential expression of the church's faith.
First, we urge our elected officials to create a mutually satisfactory plan that honors the church's free exercise of its ministry and allows it to continue its partnership with Metanoia throughout the winter. Experiences of trauma, confidentiality, and failure by the system mean that over 150 people will not go through Coordinated Intake to enter overcrowded shelters. Denison UCC and Metanoia is the cold weather response for our community.
Secondly, we believe in a Cleveland that seeks to dismantle the evils of racism and segregation. We know that racist policies have stolen wealth from the black community and homelessness disproportionately affects people of color. Therefore, the NIMBYism and segregation perpetuated in Ward 11 is a city issue and we need all members of city council to speak out.
Thirdly, it is imperative that our City leaders work with the faith and nonprofit communities to protect our most vulnerable neighbors when they are threatened by dangerously cold weather. Therefore, we call on the City of Cleveland to create and implement a long-term cold weather plan that honors safety, dignity, and value of every human life.
1. SEND A LETTER TO CITY OFFICIALS & SHARE WITH YOUR NETWORK!
2. CALL/EMAIL THE MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT, AND COUNCILWOMAN DONA BRADY
Mayor Frank Jackson: 216-664-3990 | mayorsactioncenter@city.cleveland.oh.us
City Council President Kevin Kelley: 216-664-4579 | kkelley@clevelandcitycouncil.org
Ward 11 Councilwoman Dona Brady: 216-664-3708 | dbrady@clevelandcitycouncil.org
3. FLOOD CITY HALL WITH US AT THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON JANUARY 6TH AND SHARE THE EVENT ONLINE!
4. VOLUNTEER TO HELP DENISON UCC with clean up, repairs, and recycling
Media Coverage on Metanoia & Denison UCC
Ideastream—Denison Church In Cleveland Says Cease Use Notice Violates 1st Amendment
Cleveland.com—West-side church hit with Christmas Eve “cease use” order for sheltering homeless
Cleveland 19 News—Cleveland church could lose religious designation after sheltering the homeless
Cleveland 19 News—Cleveland church needs fire security updates to house homeless
Cleveland Scene—City of Cleveland Now Trying to Cover Ass in Anti-Homeless Crusade
Cleveland Scene—Denison UCC, Homeless Advocates Call on Council to Support Cold Weather Plan
Cleveland.com—No room at the shelter as homeless advocates scramble to beat the freeze
Cleveland.com—Homeless community remembers those who were lost, fights for survival
United Church of Christ—Church fights City Hall to offer freezing people warmth, transformation
Cleveland Scene—Denison UCC, Homeless Advocates Call on Council to Support Cold Weather Plan
Cleveland.com—Local church will appeal city to keep doors open to homeless community
U.S. News—Cleveland at Odds with Church Over Housing of Homeless
Workers World—Fighting gentrifiers for the rights of the homeless
Fox 8 Cleveland—Hundreds show support for Cleveland church fighting to help homeless
Cleveland Scene—Clevelanders Rally at City Council Meeting to Demand Dignity for Homeless Population
Cleveland.com—Denison UCC emergency homeless shelter passes midnight fire inspection