Yesterday I was standing at our booth at the COSE Small Business Conference and a gentleman approached and commented, “I didn’t expect to see The City Mission here.”

Well quite honestly, I didn’t either! This is The City Mission’s third year at the event and my first. I was reluctant when approached by our Development Department about buying booth space for another year. I didn’t see the value and wasn’t certain I could justify the expense. After spending several hours on Wednesday I had a completely different attitude.

I’m a relative newcomer to Cleveland but it didn’t take me long to realize that this city is very generous and philanthropically-minded. First of all, the number of non-profits and faith-based organizations here is impressive. Ward 5 alone, where The City Mission is located, has 148 different agencies working – all providing needed services to a very disadvantaged population. Many of these agencies are supported by a combination of individual donations, foundation grants, government funding and corporate gifts.

The City Mission is unique in that it takes no government money and is not a United Way agency. The majority of its funding, for its entire ninety-nine year history, comes from individuals. In fact, over 70% of our entire five plus million dollar budget comes from thousands of friends, who send two to three gifts a year to support the programs and services of the Mission.

I was grateful and humbled by the number of people who stopped by The City Mission’s booth at the conference and began their remarks by saying, “I am a contributor to the Mission.” People I met had sent money, contributed food, and volunteered. In fact, it was hard to keep up with all of people who came by. Their interest and concern was very encouraging.

The city of Cleveland has its problems with unemployment, poverty, violence, education, and corruption. But it doesn’t lack concerned, compassionate, generous people. And as long as you have that – there’s hope for the rest!

If you can help, please give online at http://www.thecitymission.org/and click the “Give Now” button.

Thanks!