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By Mary Kate McNamee
True West Homes is a small nonprofit based in Cleveland, that helps individuals exiting homelessness get back on their feet. Founded by Sheri West in 2018, the organization remains under her leadership today, with West serving as executive director.
The Birth of a New Era
West says she always wanted to help people, but struggled to find an outlet, until she experienced homelessness herself.
“Once I was in the shelter, I didn’t know I had an epiphany,” West said. “I was like, you know what, I would like to help people who are trying to exit the homeless shelter, find housing that’s safe, secure, and affordable, so they won’t have to go through the challenges and struggles that I’ve gone through.”
True West Homes provides individuals with a support system, helping them recover through compassion, connection, and care.
From a Vision to a Mission
True West Homes’ long-term goal is to help individuals leaving shelters find affordable housing, but such housing remains scarce.
“Since we are not at that point yet, I decided I still wanted to help these individuals,” West said. “So I started a Housing Stability Support Program. When they find permanent housing, we help with essential items and financial assistance.”
True West Homes provides these individuals with assistance so they don’t have to choose between paying rent and buying groceries.
“If they’re going through any type of crisis like that, when True West Homes comes in to assist them with basic need items like bus passes, gas, car repairs, food assistance, and we also help them financially, partial payment of their rent, utilities…” West said.
West emphasized the organization’s commitment to the underserved, those facing social and economic disadvantage.
“We not only want to help individuals who are exiting the homeless shelter, but help anybody who is socially, economically disadvantaged,” West said. “All walks of life, seniors, veterans, individuals, families, anybody, but until we get the funds to do that, we can only help so many people right now.”
We Are All in This Together
True West Homes has not only served individuals but has also helped other nonprofits. The YWCA of Greater Cleveland has worked in collaboration with True West Homes since 2020. Like True West Homes, the YWCA supports those in need, including individuals overcoming homelessness and other life crises.
Kathy Harris, the clinical director of the Norma Herr’s Women’s Center for the YWCA, spoke about the partnership between True West Homes and the YWCA with TCO.
“True West Homes has served about 214 of our guests. The ladies who are sheltered at the Norma Herr Women’s Center…They’ve supported them with gift cards, supplies, and household items when those guests move out of the shelter and into their own apartments or homes,” Harris said.
Harris explained that many of the guests at the Norma Herr’s Center have little to their name, and True West Homes provides them with the tangible items needed to stay on their feet once they leave the shelter.
“They have been very supportive when we have applied for help. The response has always been immediate and generous,” Harris said.
These basic needs may seem small, they are critical to help sustain an individual’s life after leaving homeless shelters.
A Firsthand Testimonial
One recipient of True West Homes’ support shared her experience:
“In order to move into my new unit, I needed to get the utilities in my name & transferred over. I didn’t have the funds to pay my past due balances, and that was keeping me and my baby from moving in. True West helped me with money on my gas bill so that I could move in and not stay another night in my car,” Kristine L wrote.
True West Homes continues to make a big impact within the Cleveland community, despite being a small non-profit.
Mary Kate McNamee is a student at Ohio University studying English Literature and History. She writes for the news and human interest section of her school paper and is interning at The Cleveland Observer for the summer.
