Cleveland is known nationwide for its generosity and charitable giving. Fortunately, for those in need, if you are located in Cuyahoga County or the surrounding area, there are dozens of agencies, churches and societies that offer help to trafficking victims, the homeless, abuse victims or those with an addiction.
So how do I get help?
Callers in immediate danger – dial 911
In an emergency – dial 911 for immediate Police or Fire or Ambulance assistance – otherwise see below for your best alternative number to call.
Trafficking Victims
Sex victims can call the local Cleveland Project STAR (Sex Trafficking Advocacy & Recovery) hotline at 855-431-STAR (7827). Advocates meet survivors in a safe place (hospital, police station, shelter) to provide support after they are recovered from, or have left, a trafficking situation.
If you are being forced to do something other than the sex trade, i.e. forced labor in restaurants, nail salons, car washes, farming, etc., there is also help available. In the Cleveland area, call the National Hotline Number at 888-373-7888.
Despite the fact that Cleveland is the 53rd most populated city in the United States, it was 13th in Most Calls per Capita with 135 calls for every 100,000 citizens.
First Call for Help – 211
United Way’s First Call for Help can be reached by simply dialing 211. They can help direct you to available social services throughout the county, and they answer your calls 24/7. You can also chat online with them at www.211oh.org.
They must be doing something right for their callers, as 97% of their callers said they would definitely call again and 88% said they discovered new assistance or resources they hadn’t been aware of before.
Resources range from emergency shelter, to food pantry locations, to housing assistance, to utility payment assistance and more.
On the street? Need other assistance?
The following documents have been assembled by University Hospitals in connection with the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless (NEOCH) and will help identify resources available around Cleveland for those in need.
Resources listed include: meal sites, public shelters, family shelters, domestic violence shelters, housing assistance, job training, health clinics, free health care, legal services, public showers, chemical dependency services, detox units, counseling services, mental health services, eviction assistance, 24-hour nurse on call, domestic violence assistance, veterans assistance and bus line assistance.
The latest version of the Street Cards are available here: https://chris-knestrick-ataf.squarespace.com/street-card/
Download the Street Card for All
Download the Street Card for Families
Download the Street Card for Veterans
