Cleveland organization helps homeless mothers transition to homeownership

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - Cleveland leads the nation in child poverty among large cities, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, but local organizations are working to address the problem.

Laura’s Home, which operates out of The City Mission, opened transitional housing in February to provide relief for mothers and children looking to get off the streets.

“A mom just absolutely in tears, saying she has been experiencing domestic violence for over 14 years, and she kept using words like hopeless, no one cares, there’s no way out,” said Laura’s Home intake specialist Katie Skizenta. “They are desperate for people to care and for a solution for them and their children.”

Program focuses on breaking poverty cycle

The program allows mothers who graduate from Laura’s Home to move into one of 16 transitional homes, where families can live for up to two years.

Instead of paying rent, the mothers put away money to go towards owning their own home.

“The ultimate goal is homeownership, and that will really break the cycle of poverty for so many in our city,” Skizenta said.

Communications Manager Rachel Pelaia said many participants are motivated by their children’s futures.

“Many of them will say, I’m doing this for my children, I don’t want to live in a Section 8 home, I want to own my own home for my children because I know I can leave that for them,” Pelaia said.

Pelaia says you can get involved, too.

The organization’s most significant need is food donations. Those interested in helping can visit their website to get involved in providing meals to families in need.