PHOTO BY EDIE LE BOUTON

Monday, April 14, 2025; West Side Catholic Center, 3135 Lorain Avenue: West Side Catholic Center Executive Director Michael Bernot.

by Edie Le Bouton

     West Side Catholic Center (WSCC), 3135 Lorain Avenue, is a place where any individual can get free clothes, free shoes, free meals, day shelter and care.

     Open six days a week, a person can drop in and shower, use a telephone, have a mailbox, and get emergency services.

     The Resource Center also provides Nurse Clinics, a Mobile Health Van and Podiatry care. The staff will help with identification and birth certificate vouchers and do addiction assessments.

     A Resource staff member meets with new clients to determine their needs and help them facilitate a plan to determine where West Side Catholic Center support programs can help.

     Not affiliated with the Catholic Diocese or Catholic Charities, West Side Catholic Center is an independent organization that provides a circle of care for those in need.

     The WCSS was founded by the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph. The building was a community center and then a bar/bowling alley. It worked well, when the Sisters of St. Joseph bought the building because the bar had a kitchen.

     A clothes store in the front of WSCC lets five people in to shop at 20-minute increments for clothes and shoes, which are donated to WSCC. Clothes that are determined to be un-wearable are put into a recycle bin, from which WSCC gets a small amount of money.

     WSCC provides breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday and breakfast and dinner on Saturday. They work with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, Sanson Produce and Dave’s Market in Ohio City, which all support WSCC’s various meals programs throughout the year, and WSCC will purchase additional items from commercial vendors like GFS.

     The Food Pantry is open three times every month.

     A link in the circle is The Moriah House, WSCC’s twenty-seven bed emergency shelter across the street from WSCC. It houses parents with a child(ren), or a woman with a child(ren). Seven beds are reserved for female veterans with or without a child. The shelter provides a 30-day stay, which is getting closer to 90 days, says Michael Bernot, the Executive Director at WCSS, because of the shortage of rental units. While at the shelter, the program participants work to set a housing plan goal within the first 21 days. Subsidies and vouchers are available to help achieve the next step to housing.

     Moriah House provides transitional services to assist in moving from homelessness to stable housing and employment. Residents are provided meals and basic necessities. Children and their parents work with the Family Engagement staff for assessment of mental, physical, social, and educational needs.

     Each family is assigned a case manager who meets weekly to help prepare residents for permanent housing.

     Another link in the circle of care is the Zacchaeus Housing Solution, which is federally funded through the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Bernot is keeping close tabs on what is happening to HUD during this period of uncertainty for the department’s future and funding.

     A case worker from Zacchaeus Housing will go to a house and work with homeowners. Their goal is to coach the family’s communication skills, which results in family bonding.

     They assist families in the shelter to find permanent housing by providing 12-months of rental assistance and teach how to be good tenants.

     Every family receives aftercare and case management for emotional support, help with landlord issues, and connections to community resources.

     Family Engagement care center is a part of the circle that helps family engagement by coaching to build relationships and promote family well-being. They collaborate with WSCC services to build communication skills within the family. They help with goal setting, verification and assistance with school enrollment, and social support through programs, activities, and community events.

     Closing the circle is the Workplace Development team that offers employment services though a four-week job readiness program. The classes focus on goal setting, financial literacy, computer skills, communication skills, resume development, application assistance and interview practice.

     After graduation, staff assist with job search and clients can choose to enter the Culinary Academy or Janitorial Program for hands-on instruction and training toward employment.

     About 67 people are on the payroll at WSCC. Most of the work is done by the 130 regular volunteers

     Micheal Bernot became the Executive Director in January 2023, after serving as the interim director since 2021. The Board did a search for a new director and found the one sitting in the director’s chair was the best fit.

     Part of his job is raising awareness of the facilities and all they have to offer.

     Bernot volunteered at the WSCC while in high school and, “lighting struck,” he said. He got his experience working for seven years at Lake Catholic High School, Mentor, OH, as vice president for advancement, which included fund raising, marketing and event planning.

     He was hired by WSCC in February 2018 as Director of Advancement.

     Now he sits at the top and talked about the events WSCC is sponsoring. A 5K run/walk Saturday, June 7, 2025, known as the Pancake Run, is an event that winds through Ohio City and features live music.

     The Junior Board is sponsoring a Beer Fest at St. Edwards High School, 13500 Detroit Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107. The Beer Fest takes place Saturday, September 6, 2025, and advance tickets can be bought for $55.00. Day of event that ticket will cost $65.

     The gala Warm Heart Winter Nights will be held at the Marriott downtown on Saturday, November 8. Beside dinner and dancing there will be games and an auction.