Established in 1977, the founders of the West Side Catholic Center (WSCC) were struck by the plight of their neighbors who lacked food, shelter clothing and companionship. The core of our mission is the provision of basic needs: food, clothing and shelter, but we also provide programming that encourages clients to become self-sufficient.Our programs have always responded to the needs of men, women, and children in Cuyahoga County regardless of their religious affiliation.We have over 500 volunteers and 4,327 donors.All programs run on a calendar year and are evaluated annually. This is our current list of services, complete with 2009 service numbers:
Zacchaeus Housing Solutions This program exists to rapidly re-house homeless individuals and families living in area shelters:
Client Rent Subsidieshelps clients locate housing, teaches them how to be a good tenant, and provides rent and utility assistance.(averaged 36 households/month in 2009). Case Management Servicesstaff work with individuals and families to develop a case plan for self-sufficiency with goals for income, self-development and education/job skills. (58 individuals served in 2009). Life Skillshelps clients develop healthy networks of friends and family, competencies in daily living, and an understanding of general household maintenance, and teaches them how to access community resources. (35 individuals served in 2009). Youth Servicesstaff works with parents and children to assess each child, build parenting skills, and connect clients to available resources. (81 children served in 2009).
In 2009, 58 adults and 117 children participated in Zacchaeus.
For more information on applying for housing with the Zacchaeus Project, please click the link below to view the Zacchaeus Housing Brochure and Application:
The Drop-In Center is open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. six days a week provides day shelter for the poor and homeless.
Mealsoperates 6 days per week and served 63,042 nutritious meals in 2009. Clothing & Household Items Distributionprovides clothing, toiletries and household goods to over 2,300 people annually. (63,024 bags distributed in 2009). Street Survival Services offers showers, a telephone, a mailbox, and emergency services to those living on the streets of Cleveland.(12,329 instances of service in 2009). Outreach & Advocacyhelps clients with housing, entitlements, substance abuse and mental health services, health care and education, employment advocacy, legal assistance, and specialized programming to overcome the effects of trauma.(7,527 instances of service in 2009). Our Drop-In Center emphasizes hospitality, welcoming all who come in need of our services.All who come in need are served in a safe environment with dignity and respect at no cost.
The Women and Children’s Shelter Provides a full range of transitional services that assists residents in moving from homelessness to stable housing and employment. Interim Housing provides a safe and nurturing place to live, meals, and all other basic necessities.(11,140 nights of lodging provided and 32,000 meals served in 2009). Case Management Servicesenable each woman to work directly with skilled staff to develop her individualized plan for permanent housing, stable income, self-sufficiency, and education/training. (65 women transitioned in 2009). Youth Advocacystaff work with the children and their mothers to address each child’s unique mental, physical, social and educational needs; trauma-specific interventions are coordinated with other social service agencies, medical professionals, and educators.(88 children served in 2009). Homeless Prevention provides rental and utility assistance, and case management services for up to one year.(136 individuals served in 2009).
The Shelter accepts single women and women with children who are homeless, have resided in substandard living conditions, or are victims of domestic violence.These women are struggling with chemical dependency, economic hardship, mental health illness, physical illness, lack of education, or lack of employment.All of our residents meet Ohio’s guidelines for extremely low or low income at or below 35% of the area median income (AMI), with over 90% in the extremely low-income category.
The West Side Catholic Center is an independent, non-denominational 501c3 organization Privacy Policy
