Norma Herr Women's Center — Local services in Cleveland

I stayed here for a little over a month and it has its strengths and weaknesses. The food that they give you is pretty decent actually. However , the general cleanliness of the place is a bit poor.... especially bathrooms/showers. As for the staff, I found that the ones working the front desk to typically be nicer than the staff in the offices or doing the intakes. Typically on your first couple of days there you will probably have to sleep on the floor on a mat either in the cafeteria or in the front hallway. But if you have a disability/illness or you explain to them that you intend to be there for the foreseeable future, they try their best to get you an actual bed in one of the dorms. Thankfully, I only had to sleep on the floor for my first 4 days there and then they moved me to the dorm downstairs. They do have a curfew but if you have a job or you let them know in advance that you might be gone late, they will try and save your bed for you. But be advised, always keep all of your important belongings on your person at all times. Especially things like your phone, phone chargers, wallet/purse, etc. because you sadly my experience theft if you don't. A lot of women in there are really desperate for phones or phone chargers and if you leave your phone for just a split second unattended, there's a very high chance that it will be stolen. I'd recommend that you even keep your clothes in a locked locker as well because clothing is a highly desired thing in there. But I did find that a lot of the guests more so than not are mostly kind, especially the ones who have been there for a few weeks or more, they will try and help you sometimes and give you any extra things that you might need. For example, I came there with only the clothes on my back and once I got moved into the dorm a lot of women especially the ones in the general area of my bed would always leave items of clothing for me on my bed when I would get back in the evening. Also try to keep in mind that you are your best advocate and don't be afraid to ask the staff any questions that you may need and if you happen to run into a staff member who tries to push you off or is rude to you, just walk around and try to find another staff member to talk to and nine times out of 10 for every unpleasant staff member you will find one who will be nice to you and try to help the best that they can. Another thing to be advised about is that there is a lot of drug activity inside and outside of the building. But for the most part if you keep to yourself you generally won't be bothered by anyone. Lastly, I recommend that if you are trying to find housing while you're in there, do not rely on the housing people in there... Try and do it yourself. You will find help a lot faster. I recommend talking to the agency diagonally across the street from there called Frontline. They are AMAZING and will help you get everything that you need to start finding housing or jobs or whatever. There is also a rental assistance program about a block away from there called Step Forward and they are extremely helpful as well. Thanks to them, I have now been in my apartment for about 6 months now. But anyways, I would say all in all Norma Herr isn't too terrible of a shelter compared to some others or to being on...

This shelter is the worst living situation I've ever seen and been legally allowed. It is disgusting and unsafe. Doesn't deserve one star. These images are just the tip of the iceberg you'll find human fecal matter and piles of it on the floors regularly. Staff does not care and they make that very clear.The food will give you food poisoning. You will be regularly threatened and attacked while staying here. And woken up at all hours of the night in a "workers dorm" even though they aren't used for their name.40% of the women sleeping here are on a prison mat on the cafeteria floor. I wouldn't ever recommend this shelter to my worst enemy. It's tragic the the government pays for this, ARE YOU SERIOUS!!!!! Through my homelessness I've found spots safer in dangerous neighborhoods, in an abandoned building or literally on the street. I would tell someone to sleep inside the grayhound station before I would ever recommend here. The food is terrible but you're lucky to even get some. You can forget regular linen. At check in the make you throw away any suitcases towels or blankets. I came to stay here when my fiance was arrested and they told me to throw away anything that was his because and I qoute, "this is a Women's shelter". While always forcing me to throw away any food, unapproved hygiene, towels and blankets I had to beg to keep one blanket that was his that I had to claim was mine before everything of his was gone. This was way before I was even allowed to see the place as well the thing that's makes me the most upset is they made me throw away my suitcases to replace them with trash bags as in to trap me...

The worst place. Staff is rude, gotta to beg to even get bread after being gone an 8 hr day at work, N the director ( was condescending and threatened by anyone who challenged her) never showed up to plan meetings, repeated problems back to clients in a mocking way....couldn't last as director and went to Cogswell another place they run by the YWCA which is pathetic.....no business working in social services. I lost my job due to a knee disabilty because I am educated she was threatened by my advocating for myself and others. That org did not help me with housing. I got out by getting a job. It was a place to sleep only. I took pics of have insects in the shower and drug activity etc...ignored it. They are there to collect government funds only. It's horrible and the county should bulldoze that nasty...