Works to protect the rights of the homeless: monitors to assure that municipalities do not unfairly target the homeless or broadly enforce laws which would be harmful to the homeless; assists homeless persons who may have been the victims of hate crimes; coordinates information exchange regarding the rights of the homeless. The agency has experts on homeless voting available to assist with registration, get out the vote or in-person identification issues. Holds forums at shelters and drop-in centers to uncover problems, and responds with advocacy, letter-writing, and media attention to such problems.

Provides a drop in center with coffee, water, restrooms, Wi-Fi, prepackaged food, hot meals, and clean clothing for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Provides up to 90 calendar days of payment of child care subsidy for homeless children. Parents choose care in licensed child care center or child care home.

Provides case management services to young adults. Clients will be paired with a trained case manager who will help develop a personalized case plan to foster independence. Participants will learn skills such as financial planning, job readiness, study skills, time management, goal-setting, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Residents of Portage County will be provided with help in accessing existing housing programs.

Provides case management and medication monitoring for severely mentally disabled persons who are homeless. Clients receive psychiatric and nursing services to assess mental and physical problems, help applying for benefits, assistance in securing temporary and permanent housing, and emergency loans for medication and food.

Provides a "Hope Bag" filled with items for homeless individuals including clothing, a blanket, food, and hygiene items.

Publishes a periodic newspaper containing articles, poems, and editorials regarding issues of homelessness. The newspaper helps to educate the public about homelessness, and also provides job opportunities for people to return to the workforce by buying the papers for a low price and reselling them to the public. The vendors receive training, including being informed of city ordinances regarding selling, are in some cases assigned shifts at major distribution points, and have the opportunity to publish experiences of being without housing.

Provides opportunity to apply and to vote using the United States mails as an alternative to voting in person on election day.

Provides re-housing assistance (rent deposit payment assistance and initial rent payment assistance). - NOTE: Does not provide assistance with keeping the current residence - will only help to establish a new one. - NOTE: Does not help with mobile home lot fee payments, back rent, or any assistance to maintain the current residence.

Helps individuals and families transition from living in emergency shelter by paying for rental deposits and rent. Goal is to help the client come out of homelessness. Does not assist with maintaining housing. Clients of this program will receive case management to connect to other community services. A Housing Locator will help the client locate housing that will accept the voucher and to match them to housing that fits their specific needs. If approved for service, client will have 21-30 days to find an apartment.

Provides a food pantry for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Provides bicycles, bike classes, bike repair, and essential bicycling equipment such as helmets, locks, and lights for eligible individuals.

Serves unhoused individuals and focuses on eliminating barriers that may have gotten in the way of finding and/or maintaining housing in the past.

Provides assessment to identify the individual's academic and vocational capabilities. Participants complete a variety of pencil and paper, computerized or simulated activities to determine their work kills, transferable skills, aptitudes, academic abilities and interests. A written report is forwarded to the client's referral source.

Advocates for the educational needs of homeless youth in Lorain County. Works to ensure that homeless youth in Lorain County receives a free, appropriate, public education in the least restrictive environment to enable each child to reach his/her highest potential. Offers tutoring programs for homeless youth who need to improve their academic performance.

Provides a free bus ticket home to help reunite qualified runaway youth with their families or an alternative living program. Program is in partnership with Greyhound Lines, Inc.

Helps individuals and families transition from living in emergency shelter by paying for rental deposits and rent. Goal is to help the client come out of homelessness. Does not assist with maintaining housing. Clients of this program will receive case management to connect to other community services. A Housing Locator will help the client locate housing that will accept the voucher and to match them to housing that fits their specific needs. If approved for service, client will have 21-30 days to find an apartment (a Housing Locator at EDEN will assist the client with this search, it is best to start engaging with the Housing Locator as soon as possible).

Provides assistance with paying for emergency veterinary services such as pets who were hit by a car or attacked by another animal, have broken bones, are in significant pain, have penetrating wounds, ingested toxic or dangerous substances, and so forth. NOTE: Does not pay for outstanding balances or reimbursement for prior treatment. Does not pay for routine wellness checks, vaccinations, or spay/neuter services unless required to get into housing.

Provides assistance to homeless individuals or families with finding resources to help with their basic needs. Assists with referrals for benefits, mental health resources, housing applications, and furniture needs. Provides assistance with filling out applications for benefits and other programs.

Provides a packed lunch and toiletries to homeless individuals.

Provides housing for eligible residents of the County. Owns and manages a large number of family estates, senior and adult high-rise developments, and scattered site locations throughout the County. There may be a special enrollment process for this program when there is a long waiting list. Residents have access to the Resident Services Department that can connect them to resources such as youth programs, mobile food pantries, events and personal enrichment activies as well as fitness activities. Accepts requests and handles issues relating to accessibility in public housing properties that this agency maintains and operates.

Rapid re-housing rapidly connects families and individuals who are by HUD definition literally homeless. This means living in a place not meant for human habitation (in a car, tent, abandoned building, under a bridge or living in a temporary emergency shelter). Short-term assistance that can be provided includes the following: rent and move-in assistance; case management to ensure housing stability; utility assistance (up to 6 months of assistance and up to 6 months of arrearages).

Serves a weekly hot meal.

Provides opportunity to vote in person before scheduled election days.

Registers homeless eligible people to vote. Provides opportunities to vote both in person (on election day and before election day) and by using the United States' mails.