Neoch

Passages, Inc is a faith based non-profit community organization dedicated to enriching the quality of life for children, fathers and mothers ; Passages, Inc strives each day to be the preeminent faith based non-profit community organization and provider of self-improvement resources that inspires and empowers individuals to lead the lives they most desire ; Passages, Inc will have achieved our mission when no child is without a nurturing, engaged and loving father and mother ; and when each parent fully understands that the most important thing they will ever accomplish in life is rearing a child that understands their relationship with the world and the fact that they have the ability to contribute in a positive way.

NEOCH Overview The Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless ( NEOCH ) is a coalition of service providers, housing activists, members, and homeless people. Lisa Thomas, Sr. Mary Frances Harrington, and Catharine Lowe founded NEOCH in 1988 as the successor to the Emergency Shelter Coalition. A nine person Board of Trustees governs NEOCH. The NEOCH Board meets monthly and the NEOCH staff meets regularly with the homeless community and our membership. NEOCH activities in partnership with the homeless include the publication of a street newspaper, co-sponsorship of the Stand Down service fair, staffing for service and outreach collaborations, coordination of the Homeless Congress, sponsorship of the Homeless Candlelight Vigil, publication of the Street Card, and construction of a host of educational and advocacy activities. In 1997 and 2007, NEOCH reaffirmed its role within the homeless community as an advocate for the homeless population by adopting a new mission statement. The mission of the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless is to organize and empower homeless and at-risk men, women and children to break the cycle of poverty through public education, advocacy and the creation of nurturing environments. In 2007-8, NEOCH underwent an extensive strategic planning process to clarify the Coalition's role in the community and to create a work plan for the next three years. NEOCH will concentrate on four areas of interest: advocacy, empowerment projects, education, and finally research and coordination. The Coalition stages regular meetings with homeless people at the shelters and at a monthly meeting called the Homeless Congress. They work on issues that have an impact on all homeless people, including shelter standards and how to put people into all the vacant buildings in Cleveland.