The last week of April was “National Reentry Week,” a time dedicated to uplifting the opportunities – and challenges – returning citizens encounter. LMM supported the Cuyahoga County Office of Reentry’s programming by planning and hosting a two-part People’s Reentry Assembly, a Chopped4Change cooking competition and the third annual Charles R. See Forum on Reentry.

Thank you to our community partners and supporters for making Reentry Week happen!

Each year approximately 3,500 individuals return to Cuyahoga County after serving time in prison or jail. These individuals face collateral sanctions (both state laws and administrative rules) that can limit their ability to find employment, housing, and more.

The Third Annual Charles R. See Forum, featured keynote speaker Andre Ward, Associate Vice President of the David Rothenberg Center for Public Policy at The Fortune Society,

Clark Button (center) pictured alongside LMM Men's Shelter Volunteer Coordinator, Lydia Bailey (left), and LMM President & CEO, Maria Foschia (right)

Congratulations to Clark Button for receiving Greater Cleveland Volunteers' (GCV) David F. Leahy Award for Volunteer Excellence at GCV's 50th Anniversary Celebration!

Clark has been volunteering in the community for more than 35 years, with his time in the Men's Shelter at 2100 Lakeside's computer lab beginning in 2018. As a volunteer at the shelter, Clark staffs a six-station lab to help residents develop basic computer skills, fill out forms, and update or create resumes.

Throughout COVID, Clark helped lead online volunteer workshops with shelter residents, as well as set up bingo games for residents staying at hotel hubs.

Volunteers like Clark are an invaluable piece to what we do at LMM and live our mission of promoting shalom and seeking justice day in and day out.

It's about to start warming up in Cleveland, which means Metro45 Mobile Kitchen & Catering is back! Click the link below to visit the food truck at a location near you throughout the month of May.

One in five adults in the U.S. struggle with mental illness each year. At LMM, we recognize that anyone we work with, whether it be a staff member, volunteer, donor, or an individual participating in one of our programs, could be experiencing challenges with their mental health.

Mental Health Awareness Month is an opportunity to break the stigma, share resources, and raise awareness on the importance of prioritizing this type of wellness.

Mental Health Awareness Month resources:

• Recovery Resources Virtual Art Show
• NAMI Greater Cleveland Community Resources
• NAMI Mental Health and the Impacts of Reentry
• YWCA Racial Justice Challenge (Week 4's theme is Mental Health)

Give LMM a follow on our social media platforms for #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth updates and resources.

Folks are encouraged to attend Legal Aid's virtual Advocate Trainings to learn more about how to work together to best support individuals with justice-involvement.

Eliminating Barriers to Healthy Reentry for Ohioans

May 5

12:00PM - 1:00PM

Hosted via Zoom

This training will help providers who serve justice-involved individuals address barriers created by their past criminal justice involvement.

Ohio’s New Expungement & Record Sealing Law

May 12

12:00PM - 1:00PM

Hosted via Zoom

This session will look at the relationship between community health systems and justice systems, and will identify opportunities for these systems to work together to improve individual and community health.

Join St. Clair-Superior Development Corporation for their quarterly meetings of neighborhood stakeholders and businesses.

Dehumanizing labels stereotype and marginalize people, rather than support them while they rebuild their lives. Individuals with justice system involvement are not defined by their conviction history. The words we use to reference people should reflect their full identities, and acknowledge their capacity to change and grow.

Click the link below to view the Fortune Society's Words Matter resource kit.

To support the mission and programs of LMM, donate today!