FrontLine Service News

“People often say, “trauma, that must be really difficult stuff”, and yes, it is in many ways, but what they miss is how resilient and inspiring our young clients are.”

A standing ovation to all our very special volunteers!

“Generally, you know, the best part about camp – [the campers] get to be around other kids their own age who have been through similar things as them and kind of can relate and then just get to be kids.” – Kevin Torigoe, Project Manager, on the positive impact of Camp Hope

Our teams step forward with empathy—whether reaching out persistently to people living with untreated mental illness or responding immediately to children facing devastating loss. By rebuilding trust and affirming dignity, they help individuals rediscover their own strength. - Susan Neth, FrontLine Service CEO

“I love Trauma Informed Care and Resiliency work both at FrontLine and with employees of different agencies. I get to work with kind, compassionate people, have learned so much from them, and have gained a deeper appreciation for what various helpers do to serve the people of Cuyahoga County.”

A standing ovation to all our very special volunteers!

Board President F. Iman Joshua said, “I’m excited to have an established leader with Corrie’s breadth of experience to champion, advocate, and promote services for those in our community who are most in need. Her extensive experience, specifically in fundraising, development and marketing, communications, and leadership development are the skills I’m most excited about.”

We know that mental health is foundational to people’s overall well-being. When our mental and behavioral health are compromised, it creates a ripple effect in our lives, our families, and our communities. Good mental health creates a protective layer against  stressors in our lives, whether they be normal, day-to-day stressors that add up over time or life-changing crises that reshape our world.

“I admire how much Frontline does for the homeless, for the children, and for the Veteran’s in need of assistance.  As a Veteran myself, I have turned my service to our country, into serving our community and fellow veterans.  I have not encountered a company whose workers have such an impact and passion for those in need.” - Randal Figueroa

Our teams step forward with empathy—whether reaching out persistently to people living with untreated mental illness or responding immediately to children facing devastating loss. By rebuilding trust and affirming dignity, they help individuals rediscover their own strength. - Susan Neth, FrontLine Service CEO

“Housing matters and safe and affordable housing matters, and understanding that it's not the people don't want to do better, it's that it's a lot harder than it looks.” –Shyanne Urban, Rapid Rehousing Program Manager

Gina had finally taken her young daughter and fled her abusive partner, but she had done so with no job, no savings, and nowhere to go. She had unresolved chronic health problems she’d been unable to seek treatment for due to lack of access to health care, and she’d developed severe CPTSD from the ongoing strain of living with daily emotional abuse. Her physical and mental health symptoms made it difficult to get out of bed most days, let alone hold down a job. On top of it all, she had begun taking unprescribed pills to get through days filled with physical pain along with mental and emotional anguish. She first went to her mother’s house but was unable to stay for long. Gina’s relationship with her family was strained, and her mother was volatile and frequently verbally abusive, constantly threatening to kick Gina and her daughter out onto the street. The continuous stress and mistreatment brought Gina to her breaking point. Desperate for reprieve, she took her daughter and left.

Did you know April is National Reentry Awareness Month, also known as National Second Chance Month?

The Second Chance Act, passed in 2008, was designed with the goal of reducing recidivism rates and helping formerly incarcerated individuals re-adapt to being part of the community. This has allowed for investment in researching and understanding what it takes to truly improve outcomes for individuals leaving jail or prison, along with families and communities that they return to.

“I love that FrontLine is so integrated in the community, and that we truly meet people where they’re at to make sure they get the services that they need in the way that best suits them. I care about this work because everyone deserves someone to truly support them and help them achieve what is important to them, even if it doesn’t look the way we want it to.”

Nicole Knepper is Associate Director of FrontLine’s Community Health Services Department and has been with the agency since 2013.

March is National Social Work Month! It takes a special kind of person to commit to this rich and varied field that impacts every sector of society – its unifying ethos being of service, being of help.  

“Housing matters and safe and affordable housing matters, and understanding that it's not the people don't want to do better, it's that it's a lot harder than it looks.” –Shyanne Urban, Rapid Rehousing Program Manager

Gina had finally taken her young daughter and fled her abusive partner, but she had done so with no job, no savings, and nowhere to go. She had unresolved chronic health problems she’d been unable to seek treatment for due to lack of access to health care, and she’d developed severe CPTSD from the ongoing strain of living with daily emotional abuse. Her physical and mental health symptoms made it difficult to get out of bed most days, let alone hold down a job. On top of it all, she had begun taking unprescribed pills to get through days filled with physical pain along with mental and emotional anguish. She first went to her mother’s house but was unable to stay for long. Gina’s relationship with her family was strained, and her mother was volatile and frequently verbally abusive, constantly threatening to kick Gina and her daughter out onto the street. The continuous stress and mistreatment brought Gina to her breaking point. Desperate for reprieve, she took her daughter and left.

“I love that FrontLine is so integrated in the community, and that we truly meet people where they’re at to make sure they get the services that they need in the way that best suits them. I care about this work because everyone deserves someone to truly support them and help them achieve what is important to them, even if it doesn’t look the way we want it to.”

Shyanne Urban is the Traditional Rapid Rehousing, and Domestic Violence Rapid Rehousing Program Manager and has worked at FrontLine since 2022.

During our recent cold snap, we had the pleasure of meeting with Shawna Gurley, Director of Emergency Housing Services, and Nicole Eggert, Program Manager for FrontLine’s to learn more about the City of Cleveland’s “A Home for Every Neighbor” initiative – a new (as of 2024) city program designed to bring a more concentrated combination of resources and interagency services to our unsheltered community members.

Being a grandparent is often one of the most fulfilling roles that one can experience in a lifetime. But sometimes the unimaginable happens, and life changes dramatically.  

“I don’t think people understand how hard it can be for someone, especially a vet, to ask for help so the fact that they do means they have already completed half the battle to getting themselves back on track.”

Nicki Blade is a Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program Manager and has worked at FrontLine for 13 years.

Sev wakes up on the couch in his cousin’s house, checks his phone, and leans back, looking at the ceiling. He rubs the sleep out of his eyes and groans, stretching. He knows he’s lucky to have a few friends and family members who have been able to offer him a temporary place to stay for a week or two, but couch surfing for the last four months is getting pretty old…