The 2025 Anisfield-Wolf Memorial Award winner is NEOCH, Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless.
Through daily street outreach, NEOCH serves 6,150 people annually with a staff of 18 and variable volunteers, addressing Cleveland's most vulnerable populations living in forgotten corners of the city.
Founded in 1987, NEOCH is admired for its compassionate, trauma-informed approach to homelessness. Outreach workers extend an outstretched hand, listen first, and build relationships of trust. This method has led to measurable improvements: fewer deaths from overdose and hypothermia, reduced ER visits, fewer tent encampments, and decreased calls to police and City Council.
NEOCH has been instrumental in Mayor Bibb's Home for Every Neighbor initiative, helping surpass the goal of housing 150 unsheltered individuals months ahead of the projected 18-month timeline.
Their expansion into seasonal shelter services will provide consistent, reliable overflow capacity—closing gaps in Cleveland's safety net with values of justice, compassion, and community.
High 5 Awards
Lydia Bailey is the Coordinator of Volunteer Services at Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry's Men's Shelter, where she's been quietly changing lives for 18 years—one volunteer, one program, and one listening ear at a time.
When Lydia arrived in 2007, the shelter had plenty of volunteers but no structure to connect them. Armed with a grant and a vision, this soft-spoken powerhouse built something extraordinary: a thriving community where 1800 volunteers showed up in 2024 alone.
From poetry workshops that became published anthologies to a "bike livery" that gets residents moving, from AA meetings to chess clubs, Lydia's created a weekly calendar so packed with purpose that it's hard to tell the volunteers from the residents—which is exactly the point.
After creating a "Listening Group," residents now have a place to simply talk, vent, or cry without judgment. As she says, "sometimes it's the first time someone has just listened."
Lydia is an exceptional photographer. Her "Portraits of Homelessness" exhibit has traveled to 45 shows, breaking stereotypes one stunning image at a time.
As an Episcopal deacon and full-time humanitarian, Lydia proves that recognizing dignity, offering respect, and truly listening can change the direction of a life.
Bill Higgins is the kind of person who brings cookies to class. After 40 years with Mercy Healthcare System he started tutoring at Seeds of Literacy in 2022 with just one firm rule: he'd help with reading, writing, anything—just not math.
Then his student Carol needed math help. So, what did Bill do? He went to the library daily (to read his newspaper, naturally), but also checked out GED math books, took practice tests, and when he bombed them, Bill did something unprecedented: he hired his own tutor to learn high school math. No other Seeds tutor has ever done this. Bill wanted those "lightbulb moments" for himself so he could create them for Carol.
In three years, Bill has logged almost 500 hours, showing up three days a week with unwavering consistency. He is the first to sign up for new programs, regularly speaks at tutor trainings (even sharing his initial doubts), and has taken every professional development workshop Seeds offers—even traveling to other locations just to see new classrooms.
One staff member sums it up: "Bill is a perfect example of what Seeds is all about... Also bringing cookies for the class every time he comes in definitely does not hurt his reputation!"
Nakia Hudson is the Board Chair of 1000 Ties and the kind of leader who makes excellence look effortless while staying incredibly humble about it all. Most people call her "Auntie Buffy."
Nakia joined the board in 2021 and stepped up as Board Chair in 2024, bringing her expertise as an intervention specialist for Bedford City Schools to guide an organization dedicated to empowering young men ages 8-17 in Greater Cleveland.
Over four years, she's transformed 1000 Ties through strategic leadership, enhanced governance, and expanded community partnerships.
You'll find Nakia at vendor events teaching young men how to tie neckties—a simple skill that symbolizes confidence and readiness for life's opportunities. During COVID, she spearheaded a shift to virtual and hybrid programming, ensuring youth stayed connected to mentors during impossibly difficult times.
Her innovative programming is trauma-informed, culturally responsive and meets students where they are. She makes sure services reach youth from underserved neighborhoods, foster care, and with special education needs.
Her nominator says it best: "I am deeply inspired by Nakia's dedication and the quiet strength she brings to her work." And while she shies away from recognition, her impact on countless young lives speaks volumes.
Alfonso Sanchez is a former Vice President of Turner Construction, and a long-time Magnolia Clubhouse volunteer. Since 2005, Al has volunteered as the owner's representative for Magnolia Clubhouse's ambitious capital projects improving spaces for people living with mental illness.
He has never missed a meeting in 20 years, guiding the organization through four major construction phases totaling $10 million, transforming two century homes into a modern facility for people living with mental illness.
The package of successful projects included an expanded kitchen, a renovated carriage house with integrated clinic, the renovation of two buildings. The last phases adds 10,000 square feet with an elevator, increasing capacity by 50%. Any of us who have survived even a modest home renovation project recognize this marvel. Al has been there for every architectural decision, every permit, every bid, every challenge.
But Al's impact extends far beyond Magnolia Clubhouse. He's volunteered with Urban Community School, Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Hospice of the Western Reserve, and Near West Theatre. He's championed workforce inclusion, particularly developing training programs for Latino students in construction.
In 2019, Crain's featured him in their "Eight Over 80" article. As Al himself says: "Construction workers have a bad reputation as tough guys, but mostly they have hearts of gold. You never forget those who were kind to you, and that motivates me to help others."
Stella Shepard is a Career Readiness Facilitator at Towards Employment, where she's been transforming lives for 17 years. She’s in a classroom managing 30-40 participants while grading papers, counseling individuals, and somehow keeping everyone balanced and productive.
Early in her career at Towards Employment, Stella created an innovative "store" where participants earned "TE bucks" by demonstrating responsibility and teamwork, teaching budgeting while building confidence. She developed a "Listening Project" to give participants an outlet outside the workshop, simply being present for people who needed to feel heard. She even organized a poetry slam to help young students connect their dreams to careers.
She meets the younger participants where they are, staying current on trends that will most impact their careers. She stays current on trends like generative AI and discusses how it will influence the job market.
As one participant wrote: "Ms. Shepard gave me more confidence in myself... because of Ms. Shepard and Towards Employment I can gratefully say that I have HOPE again."
