Next Step Up Emergency Housing Shelter

Today is World Homeless Day - a day to advocate for policies and funding to help prevent and end homelessness. In honor of 10.10 - please consider making a $10 donation to Next Step Up to help us provide shelter and services to our Guests and neighbors in need. nextstepup-medina.org

Thanks to Medina United Church of Christ for another donation!These donations were gathered thanks to their congregation. These items go directly to our Guests who are transitioning out of shelter and into more appropriate housing. We are grateful for their ongoing support!

Mark your calendar and help raise some money for Next Step on February 27, 2026!

Last week, Jessie Kane, Next Step Up Program Director presented at the Medina County District Library. She spoke with staff members of the library to provide a brief overview of Next Step Up, gave an update, provided data and discussed opportunities for supporting and volunteering. This group had many great questions such as how to get someone connected to our resources if they know of someone experiencing homelessness. It is vital that those who are working within our community are equipped with the knowledge on how to support those in need.

Recently, a mom with a child entered Next Step Up. Mom, a United States Veteran, found herself in a homeless situation with no place to go. As she entered Next Step Up, her and her child settled in and started working on their goals. While in shelter, she was referred to the Veterans Administration, where she was provided with additional resources, including a VASH Voucher, specifically for homeless veterans. While in shelter, she was able to get her child enrolled in childcare, and obtained meaningful employment along the way. Three month later, she moved into her own apartment with her son. Upon exit, our generous community wrapped around her and helped provide her with furniture, and a basket full of cleaning supplies to assist her with this fresh start for her family.

Recently, a husband and wife who, after weeks of sleeping in their car and then in a hotel, came to us exhausted and out of options. From the moment they arrived, they were greeted with compassion, a warm bed and support for a path forward. They worked with a case manager to create an individualized housing plan to address their needs and barriers to finding and sustaining housing. They searched for available units on the computers in our resource room. And within seven weeks, they signed a lease to their new home!

Wondering how you can help the Guests at Next Step Up? Check out our Wish List of items that we use at the Shelter and to help our Guests as they move out and up! https://lnkd.in/gPauSusX

Homelessness has many causes and many faces. This great article from National Alliance to End Homelessness gives us a little more insight into the issue. https://lnkd.in/enw-eNXr

Help us create our Next Step Up baskets so that we can send our Guests home with a basket of needed items!

In May, a few of our friends from Westfield Bank volunteered at Next Step Up, and assisted with various tasks around the shelter. One of theses tasks included sorting and organizing items that are given to our Guests upon entry into Next Step Up. Their support didn’t stop that day; instead, they rallied the team and collected these items that go directly to our Guests!