Every day, we see what happens when someone in Cuyahoga County has nowhere left to turn. We are the providers, caregivers and community organizations who show up for them. That is why we are asking you to vote FOR Issue 11.
We know many families are feeling the pinch of inflation. That’s exactly why Issue 11 matters. When times are hard, more people need help, and the safety net must be there.
Last year, more than 500,000 county residents used Health and Human Services. They include seniors who rely on personal care assistance and delivered meals, children protected from abuse, residents living with mental illness, and families one emergency away from losing their homes. The need keeps growing, especially as SNAP and Medicaid cuts reach our neighbors.
At the same time, state and federal support is shrinking. Levy revenue doesn’t rise with inflation, so the dollars stretch thinner every year. Health and Human Services funding is its own revenue stream, separate from the county’s general fund. When it falls short, these services feel it directly. Health and Human Services agencies already face at least a $20 million shortfall in 2027 and have been forced to make painful cuts this year.
If Issue 11 does not pass, the consequences are real. County officials estimate an additional $16 million in cuts, including:
- $7.6 million from child welfare and protection services
- $2 million from senior services such as meals, transportation and emergency housing or utility help
- More than $1 million from efforts to fight homelessness
- $1.6 million to food centers
Behind those numbers are people who have absolutely nowhere else to turn.
Stella Burnside lost her job, then her home, and ended up living in her car. MetroHealth, supported by this levy, cared for her when she had no insurance and nowhere else to go. Jess Saker found treatment for her addiction via the ADAMHS Board and has been sober since 2017. Today, she helps lead the work that saved her. Diane Howard, a senior living on a limited income, depends on food assistance and meal deliveries to eat.
This is not about politics. It is about caring for our neighbors.
On November 3, please vote FOR Issue 11
Jennifer Yarham, Applewood Centers
Thomas Royer, Beech Brook
Carl Brass, Bellefaire JCB
Jennifer Johnson, Canopy Child Advocacy Center
Christopher K. Larson, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland
Emily Campbell, Center for Community Solutions
Eric L. Morse, The Centers
Jennell Vick, Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center
Danielle Cosgrove, Cleveland Mediation Center
Nicole McKinney-Johnson, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center
Kirsti Mouncey, Collaborative to End Human Trafficking
Jason Joyce, Cuyahoga County ADAMHS Board
Elaine Gimmel, EDEN Inc.
Patricia Varanese, Epilepsy Association
Corrie Taylor, FrontLine Service
Joe Cimperman, Global Cleveland
Kristin Warzocha, Greater Cleveland Food Bank
Julie M. Johnson, Hunger Network
Jennifer Calloway, I’m In Transition Ministries
Anne Face, Journey Center for Safety and Healing
Darlene Darby Baldwin, Life Exchange Center
Maria Foschia, Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry
Lori D’Angelo, Magnolia Clubhouse
Andy Trares, May Dugan Center
Gail Long, Merrick House (ret.)
Joan Englund, Mental Health & Addiction Advocacy Coalition
Katie Jenkins, NAMI Greater Cleveland
Christopher Krestnick, Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless
Katherine B. Hollingsworth, Northeast Ohio Legal Aid
Max Rodas, Nuevo Luz URC
Brant Russell, OhioGuidestone
James Lawrence, Oriana House, Inc.
Eric Gordon, Positive Education Program
Katie Kelly, PRE4CLE
Sara Szelagowski, Project White Butterfly
Patrick Kearns, Re:Source Cleveland
Derrick Fulton, Say Yes Cleveland
Joanne Brown, Scarborough House for Women
Christine Robinson, Stella Maris
Raven Wolf
Jeffrey Lox, Wingspan Care Group
Note: Some of the organizations above do receive HHS funding.
