> About Us

Homelessness has long been a problem in Lake County. In 1992, a task force initiated by the Catholic Commission of Lake and Geauga invited all Lake County churches to discuss the need for a homeless shelter in Lake County. Under the direction of the Ecumenical Shelter Network of Lake County, Inc., Project Hope for the Homeless has since been providing the county's homeless men, women and children, shelter, meals and support.

Following the mission of responding to the human hurts and hopes of persons in Lake County who are homeless by providing emergency shelter, care and guidance, in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ, Project Hope's major programs include providing shelter and support services nightly from 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. for up to 35 homeless individuals, and a security deposit program to assist clients reach their goals of moving into affordable, permanent housing.

Project Hope is supported by numerous churches in Lake and surrounding counties. Staff and volunteers do not promote a specific denomination, but simply share the love of Jesus Christ through non-denominational devotion, worship and Bible studies.

Meet the Board Members

The Ecumenical Shelter Network Board of Trustees will continue  their work of developing the board structure, updating the by-laws; setting strategy for the director to develop a facilities plan, evaluate how to meet the needs of the increasing number of homeless families and ensure we have a strong fund plan. 

The 2008-2009 Ecumenical Shelter Network Board of Trustees include:  Rev. Gerald Bednar, Evan Francis, Nancy Leyden, Dan Osborne, Richard Mergen, Michelle Powers, Robert Rader, Cate Seal, Pam Spadaro, Robert Studer, James Gillette, and Gerald Smrdel.