The YMCA of Greater Cleveland’s Y-Haven improves the lives of its residents each day by providing recovery, housing, and hope to adults who have experienced homelessness, who are returning to the community from incarceration, and who are seeking to recover from Opioid Use Disorder.

Naeema Batin, Y-Haven residentThe August completion of the newly-renovated residential treatment, mental health counseling, transitional housing, and health care facility has significantly improved the life-changing experiences of the people who come to Y-Haven to recover from addiction and overcome homelessness.

The improvements made during a two-year renovation project at the Y-Haven building, 6001 Woodland Ave. in Cleveland’s Central neighborhood, were unveiled during a ribbon cutting and walk-through last Thursday, Aug. 21. The celebration included residents, staff, and numerous donors who made the much-needed changes happen, including Cuyahoga County.

“The Y-Haven Board is proud to celebrate the completion of this long-awaited renovation,” said Y-Haven board member Beth Darmstadter at the unveiling last week. “We are humbled by the support of the private and public sectors in this initiative.”

A benefit to all
Ed Gemerchak, Y-Haven senior vice president of behavioral services, says the improvements will benefit the residents during their recovery.

Ed Gemerchak, Y-Haven Senior Vice President of Behavioral Services“This renovation marks a milestone in our efforts to provide residents with a place that not only meets their basic needs but also inspires hope,” he says.

Both the staff needs and resident needs were prioritized in planning the updates, with the major refresh including new, practical, and aesthetically pleasing furnishings. The Callahan Foundation funded enhancements that also include new lighting, finishes, and original artwork.

Three floors feature 200 updated resident rooms and 24 renovated offices. Many of the staff members occupying the main area and office spaces are also former residents.

In Gemerchak’s 10 years at Y-Haven, he says he has rarely received complaints about accommodations and both residents and staff are happy to be there. Now that renovations are complete, Y-Haven residents like Nathaniel Hearn say they are grateful they can now live in a space that exudes a more dignified, comfortable, and healing environment so they can focus on why they’re there.

“It’s a drastic change, so I think it frees them [residents] up with more time to think about how we can better help ourselves,” says Hearn.

Inspiration during recovery

Y-Haven resident and event speaker Nathaniel HearnHearn, 67, is living out Y-Haven’s mission of helping residents rebuild their lives while achieving sobriety. Hearn had two years of sobriety following a crack cocaine addiction, but he says he still needs support.

“I lived in Arizona in a beautiful home, and I had everything—a new truck, new BMW,” says Hearn, looking back on his life before Y-Haven.

“[We lived in a house with a beautiful swimming pool where no one had ever lived before—we had it built,” Hearn shares. “Then my addiction just took me down from there.”

Hearn says he struggled with his addiction for 35 years but is confident he will re-enter mainstream society with the skills and confidence needed for long-term success.

He spoke at the ribbon cutting ceremony because he says the facility’s refresh is inspiring him to move forward with his recovery as he regains his independence.

“They [Y-Haven] put the emphasis on your addiction—and taking care of that first,” Hearn explains. “And then, all these other things are available to you. The doors start opening up.”

Hospitality and pride
Y-Haven’s lobby area now has a warm, welcoming feel that aids staff in their radical hospitality to all who enter for help. Resident artwork adds to the warmth of the space.

Residents with physical challenges now have improved ADA accessible rooms. Hearn, who has a friend at Y-Haven whom he helps to the elevator, says he sees a positive change in his friend after the renovation.

“He invited me to peek into his room, and he told me how different it was and how easy it is for him to take a shower,” Hearn shares. “He said it’s amazing.”

Renovated Y-Haven lobbyThe structure was built in the 1960s as a Cleveland Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) public housing facility. CMHA still owns the building and leases to the YMCA of Greater Cleveland.

Y-Haven opened in 1993, and the YMCA has provided housing, treatment and support to thousands of people in the Woodland Avenue facility ever since then.

“It [the Y-Haven facility] was not built as an addiction treatment center, so we had to make some changes,” explains Gemerchak.

The overhaul is giving the current residents a sense of pride in their rooms as they make Y-Haven a temporary home while they get back on their feet. CMHA has been a critical partner throughout the major refresh project.

“We have this really warm, welcoming, hospitable culture at Y-Haven,” says Gemerchak. “Our building we’ve been in now for 30 years didn’t reflect that. I think people are walking a little taller and they’re feeling a little more respected.”