Lydia Bailey joined Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry is 2007 as the Coordinator of Volunteers for 2100 Lakeside Men's Shelter. Lydia links shelter residents with outside community groups, churches and individuals. She creates programs at 2100 that bring volunteers and residents together on a mutual basis through service. "I have been fundamentally changed through my own experiences of service, and by those I know who are homeless," states Lydia.
Mike Moats helps people with disabilities identify assistive technology that can help them become more independent and/or productive with the computer or their environment as the Assistive Technology Manager for Linking Employment, Abilities & Potential. Mike enjoys being able to show people atypical methods to perform common tasks – for instance using a computer with only the keyboard, or using a computer with only the mouse, or using the computer using only your voice.
Carol Fredrich has always felt called to social ministry. She joined Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry as executive director on June 29, 2005. Carol came to Cleveland from Omaha, Nebraska where she served as Chief Operating Officer of Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska, Inc. Carol says, “While I have served at several other Lutheran agencies, I have found that LMM staff and volunteers truly “walk the talk” of doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God.” Carol and her husband John, an ordained Disciples of Christ minister, reside on Cleveland's west side.
Beth Baron is the LMM’s Outreach and Advocacy Associate. She serves as an information and referral resource for the issues of childhood lead poisoning and helps educate elected and appointed officials at the local, county, state and federal levels of government. Beth is also the Secretary to the Greater Cleveland Lead Advisory Council. “The issues of lead poisoning are not widely recognized/understood by society which allows this problem to continue hurting socially and economically disadvantaged populations,” states Beth.
Maria Wolf is the ADRN (Aging and Disability Resource Network) and Volunteer Coordinator for Linking Employment, Abilities & Potential. After a college internship, Maria felt it was her calling to work with people with disabilities. Maria is married with two children. She loves to read and loves Italian food.
Nita Bring-Mazurek joined Volunteer Guardianship Program as a volunteer guardian in 1993. She became the director of VGP in March 2005. Her role is to recruit, train and supervise volunteer and staff guardians who provide advocacy for the indigent, incompetent wards of Lorain County. This program is needed to help the most vulnerable adults who have no one looking after them. She enjoys reading and running her two little girls around. Nita is passionate about helping the elderly, advocating and fighting against abuse, neglect and exploitation.
Kandi Withers has been a part of LMM for 16 years. She has been serving as Director of Youth Re-Entry Program for eight years, overseeing the day-to-day operations. She finds her motication in the participatns of YRP. "Knowing that they receive the care they need while here and are prepared to move on to independence motivates me.Many of them don’t have any other options when they are placed here and knowing the abuse and neglect they have suffered motivates me to want to help them," she says. Kandi enjoys reading, kickboxing and martial arts.
Valerie Czerwien has been the director of Youth Employment Program for three years and a part of the LMM family for six. She currently supervises the overall project of YEP, serving at-risk Cuyahoga County youth. “I see the problems that they encounter and I want to help those who have overwhelming needs,” she says. Her patience, determination and ability to work well in a variety of settings allow her continue to make a difference.
Mark Hamm directs and manages Westhaven Youth Shelter. Although he has been Program Director for Westhaven since November, 2000, Mark has been actively involved with teens/young adults and racial issues since 1970. He is happily married and has one daughter and three stepsons. His hobbies include motorcycling and sailing
Rev. Mark Brauer is an associate director of LMM and has served as director for START for the last 15 of his 27 years with LMM. Mark believes “that at the heart of the Christian faith is the biblical understanding of justice: right relationships in community.”
Rev. Ralph W. Pitman, Associate Director for Support To At Risk Teens (START), has been a part of Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry for six years. He has been Associate Director at START for four years; providing general administrative and funding support for the four START Programs.
“I am inspired and compelled by the mission of LMM and the vision of right relationships as the Biblical meaning of justice. It is the passion and compassion of my staff partners throughout LMM that keep me at it everyday,” Ralph says.
Angelo Anderson is the Community Coordinator for the Service “S” community, which sends volunteer ambassadors out to look for people in the surrounding area and invite them to find respite and shelter at 2100. He enjoys jazz and blues.
Mike Moguel served with Community Re-Entry for four years before becoming employed with 2100 Men's Shelter two years ago as the Operations Manager. Mike is married and enjoys spending time painting and drawing with is two children. When he has a free moment, he likes to read comic books and play video games.
Bill Walker has been serving with LMM for two years as the “E” Community Coordinator. In the E area, they greet new people, do intakes and assessments, and make clients aware of policies and services. “My motivation and my inspiration is my wife…who overcame twenty-five years of heroin use to become a licensed drug counselor and housing coordinator.” Bill enjoys sports and exercising with his dog.
Sheryl Thomas is the Associate Director of Housing and Shelter. She finds motivation in Ghandi’s quote: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Sheryl’s favorite colors are yellow, red and orange. She has two children, both of whom are excellent basketball players. She enjoys writing, travel, basketball and movies with her children.
Ron Reinhart has been with the shelter for two years serving as coordinator of the grant per-diem program working with veterans. He has worked with homeless men for 19 years. Ron feels it is his mission to work with men in recovery “to give them hope and faith that life can change.” When he has the time, Ron enjoys fishing.
Michael Sering grew up in the LMM family. He has officially served with LMM for 13 years. As the Director for 2100 Lakeside Men’s Shelter, Michael oversees all major components including, partnering with other agencies, recruiting volunteers and fundraising. He finds joy “when residents are excited about new opportunities” and “by helping people see a different side of homelessness.”
Michael also enjoys playing basketball three times a week.
Ward Pallotta is the Director of Gift Planning, helping donors to make current and future gifts to LMM and its programs. Regarding his 20 years of experience with LMM, he says, “LMM has helped me to grow spiritually -- recognizing all people as equals, committing myself to social justice, understanding humility as seeking/serving God's intentions. This inspires me to share what I am learning and to encourage others to help build right relationships in our community.”
Rev. John Williams works with persons previously involved in criminal justice system providing motivation, support, mentoring, teaching life skills & job preparation classes through Community Reentry's Crisis Intervention Team and Core Services. John is a licensed Baptist Minister, has been married since 1998 and is the father of three teenagers, one boy & two girls. He enjoys reading biographies and watching action movies. During his nine years with LMM, he has been motivated by “being able to walk beside people as they begin to make positive life changes decisions.”
Gloria Pickett has served as the Operations Manager for Women’s Re-Entry Network since it began in July 1995. She continues to be motivated by “watching women grow and change as they begin putting their lives back on track and watching them begin to develop self esteem and confidence in themselves.” Gloria is a mother and grandmother. She graduated from Cleveland State University and enjoys swimming.
Sr. Beverly LoGrasso joined the LMM family as a volunteer for Women’s Re-Entry Network (WREN) nine years ago. For the past three years, Sr. Bev has been serving with WREN as the Special Projects Coordinator. “I enjoy educating folks in the community about WREN. The women of WREN clients and staff inspire me daily,” she says. Sr. Bev has a 4-year-old God-child for whom she would like to make a better world.
Mary Kozina has been a part of LMM for three years and serves as the director of Women’s Re-Entry Network. She provides supervision to the staff of WREN, obtains funding for the program and performs other administrative functions. Her motivation comes from remembering that everyone deserves an opportunity for a second chance. She enjoys reading, hiking, traveling and relaxing with her family at a warm location. She spends her time away from work with her husband, John, son, Evan, and very hyper boxer, Ace.
Rakin Abdul-Aziz has been with Community Re-Entry since March, 2002. He is currently a case manager for Second Chance. He is responsible for providing case management to all program participants as needed and the overall direction and supervision of the program’s Outreach Workers. He is a Vietnam Veteran and served in the U.S. Army from May 1964 until August 1972.
Mary Ann Thomas has been with Adult Guardianship Services for four years, serving in two positions: Director of Development and Volunteer Recruiter and Trainer. Nearly twenty-five years ago, Mary Ann began her career as an attorney, practicing primarily in the areas of Probate and Estate Planning, Elder Law, Guardianship, and Wills & Trusts. She has been a Volunteer Attorney with AGS for 5 years. She says, “I have believed for a long time that everyone needs someone and had been struggling with the fact that so many people have no one. Now, I have a chance to change that, one person at a time.” Mary Ann is happily married with three terrific children. And although she didn’t attend OSU, she is a huge Buckeyes fan.
Linda J. Proffitt is the Program Director for Adult Guardianship Services (AGS) and Associate Director of LMM. Before starting with AGS six years ago, she served on the board for over 25 years; serving two terms as president. Linda oversees the delivery of services to the wards and serves as the public face of guardianship in the community. She is also responsible for the budget and raising enough money to staff the program to meet the community need. Linda holds the wards of AGS close to her heart. “I've often thought about what would happen to me if I needed someone to speak for me, to make major decisions,” she says. She is happily married and enjoys reading and traveling.
George Hrbek is a Lutheran clergyman who has been part of the LMM movement since 1971 serving as an associate director with new ministry development responsibilities, director of the Cuyahoga County Ombudsman office, interim executive director of LMM, and now as co-director of LMM’s Advocacy office. Wife, Stephanie is the executive director of the Near West Theater which she and George founded in 1978. George is father of six, grandfather of nine and great-grandfather of two.
