Officials celebrate dedication of Medina County’s first emergency shelter

Next Step Up has served a total of 153 people since Medina County’s first emergency housing shelter opened on Feb. 28. On Nov. 20, a group of city, county and state officials gathered with Medina Metropolitan Housing Authority (MMHA) staff at the Medina Fire House to officially dedicate the shelter.

Skip Sipos, MMHA executive director, who will retire at the end of this year, held up a three-legged stool as a symbol of the caring, community and cooperation that made the shelter possible. He credited that collaboration for “creating what we believe is the right environment for our guests; providing a dignified and welcoming sanctuary so they can focus on what they need to transition to more appropriate housing.”

Medina Mayor Dennis Hanwell, who will also retire in December, spoke about a pandemic-era meeting with government officials, local churches and nonprofit leaders to address homelessness in Medina County. They set three objectives: emergency shelter, transitional housing and affordable housing. Next Step Up represents the accomplishment of that first objective.

Since February, 21 households successfully exited the shelter and entered into their own lease agreements, and 38 households have self-resolved and found alternative housing with family or friends. These numbers include 17 children and eight veterans, and 30 people have secured employment. On average, 23.22% of the available 27 beds have been occupied each night.

County Commissioner Steve Hambley spoke further about efforts to combat homelessness by building an emergency shelter. “The need is not invisible. I love this name. I have never met a human being who didn’t need some type of help in their life – a next step up.”

Hambley announced a $100,000 pledge from the County Commissioners to keep the shelter operating, along with pledges from the cities of Medina and Brunswick.

State Rep. Sharon Ray and Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development, also spoke about the collaboration that brought the shelter to fruition. Ray joined others in thanking Sipos for sacrificing MMHA’s administrative offices to create the shelter. Their building on Walter Road in Medina is near county, veteran and daycare services. Employment opportunities and shopping are available within walking distance at Medina’s retail and food establishments.

Mihalik said that Next Step Up is the only homeless shelter in Ohio that allows pets. Since opening, eight dogs and three cats have been sheltered along with their owners. “It prevents the heartbreaking choice between losing their companion or obtaining shelter.”

Each guest receives comprehensive case management services that assist with housing navigation, supportive services provided through a network of local agencies, and access to mental health and recovery services. They create individualized housing plans and set realistic goals. Next Step Up provides those who experience homelessness a place to land and a place to launch.

There are many ways people can support Next Step Up services. Volunteers are needed to help provide meals or educational services. Call 330-725-7531. Monetary gifts can be made through their website: nextstepup-medina.org. Guests also need items and supplies as they transition into housing, which can be purchased through their Amazon Wish List. You can also call the agency to learn how to stock “moving baskets” with cleaning supplies and other essentials.