Hockey Game Successful

Michelle Russell, NEOCH Board member (2nd from Left) and Neil Donovan of NCH on the right

Impressive End to National Hunger and Homeless Week

Neil Donovan of the National Coalition for the Homeless came to Cleveland on November 19 to raise awareness about the rise in homelessness in the United States.  He had done presentations around the country and finished the week in Cleveland by attending the Lake Erie Monster's hockey game.   He was able to tour 2100 Lakeside which made a huge impression on him as a monument to a population waiting for social justice to arrive.  There were a relatively small number of people who attended his speech, but Donovan was interviewed by WKSU before the event. He was recognized during the first period intermission, and the Lake Erie Monsters pulled out a victory in the end.

I was surprised how many people were attending the game.  The games broadcast on Channel 43 on Sundays do not seem as well attended as the Saturday night game.  Neil talked about the involvement in homeless people in the struggle to end homelessness.  He talked about the 1% of the 99% who lose their housing or struggle to maintain their health, housing or income everyday.  Neil went into a great deal about the suffering that is taking place around the country, and government is cutting back everywhere.  The Coalitions are struggling to stay alive, and shelters are being starved out of existence.  All of the safety net is being shredded, and there is a great deal of pain expected nationally over the next few years.  Neil took questions from the Cleveland community then being from Boston he enjoyed a good hockey game.

Thanks to the Cavs and Monsters staff for thinking of us for this event.  We hope that it is a regular part of their programming.

Brian
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NEOCH Invites You to a Local Discussion on Homelessness

 

Hockey and Homelessness with National Coalition Director

Neil Donovan (pictured above), Executive Director of the National Coalition for the Homeless, will be speaking at Quicken Loans Arena on Saturday, November 19 at 6 p.m. as part of National Hunger and Homeless Week.  Mr. Donovan will be speaking about solutions to homelessness and national issues around housing.  After the discussion, those attending the event will be able to see the Lake Erie Monsters hockey game.

This is a fundraiser and public awareness activity for the local homeless coalition, the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless.  Brian Davis, director of community organizing, is the vice president of the National Coalition for the Homeless Board of Directors.  NEOCH is the local advocacy and public education organization in Cleveland, and has worked on amplifying the voices of homelessness people since 1989. Tickets for the event are $15 of which $5 goes to the local Coalition.  Tickets are available at http://groups.theqarena.com/awareness--Please make sure that you click on "NEOCH" when purchasing your flash tickets.

The National Coalition for the Homeless is the oldest national non-profit organization working on ending homelessness in America.  NCH works on forwarding solutions to homelessness, protecting the civil rights of homeless people, and features a speakers bureau of formerly homeless individuals.  Neil Donovan administered a shelter in Boston, Massachusetts, and worked at the National Alliance to End Homelessness.  He has done consulting work on rural homeless issues, and has a strong desire to empower those experiencing homelessness to speak for themselves.  Donovan will talk about the prospects for ending homelessness in America and will take questions from those attending the discussion. 

This event is part of National Hunger and Homeless week (November 13 to November 19) public education  activities. NEOCH staff and street voices speakers attended an awareness event in Akron this past Monday also as part of homeless awareness week.

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