Next Level Trainings Leadership Class of OVIP2 raises $59,036 in 19 days to Fight Homelessness in Cleveland, Ohio
CLEVELAND, OH – The students of the Second Online Leadership Class (OVIP2) of Next Level Trainings, put together an inspiring and impactful fundraising campaign to transform the lives of individuals and surrounding communities by helping to break the cycle of homelessness in Cuyahoga County. Knowing they only had a few weeks, OVIP2, made up of 23 students, rallied to raise $50,000 for the local non-profit, Front Steps Housing and Services, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The organization provides safe, affordable, permanent housing, in addition to behavioral health support. They also give life-long solutions to increase self-sufficiency and independence for men and women. Within 19 days, the leadership class raised over $59,000.
Front Steps Housing and Services opened its doors in 1986 and has helped over 3,500 people. The fundraising effort was co-led by Torre Escott. She is a current board member and former resident of Front Steps and understands the impact of giving to help people just like her. Her experiences illustrate the impact that the organization has had on so many. “Front Steps sent me through my first two semesters of college,” “Front Steps gave me skills…interview skills, resume skills, cooking skills. Front Steps is not just a program. It is a life solution. This is not just a donation, this is a person, this is humanity.”
Along with supporting Front Steps in fundraising, participants of Next Level’s OVIP2 leadership class held a virtual online fundraising talent show, “Step Right Up - Outfitting Front Steps and Housing Services,” which featured performances from people in the U.S. and Canada. This event raised close to $2,000 and helped to share the work of Front Steps with a larger community.
Sherri Brandon, Executive Director at Front Steps Housing and Services, emphasized the true impact of the support from the leadership class by saying, “It is just amazing what you guys do.” “I keep saying this is a miracle. This is truly the miracle that many organizations need...To be able to do this in less than 19 days! When you first came to me, I thought, come on you guys. But when I saw it, it transformed before my eyes every day...We are so grateful.” Brandon said, “We are doing amazing things here and we are going to continue to do amazing things. You have inspired us to go even further and to continue this journey and to continue this work.”
For more information on the Front Steps Housing and Services, visit frontstepsservices.org
For more information on Next Level Trainings, visit nextleveltrainings.com
About Front Steps Housing and Services
Front Steps Housing and Services helps rebuild individuals and communities by breaking the cycle of homelessness for a better today, tomorrow, and a lifetime. We Believe in Safe & Affordable Housing. We Aspire to Build Futures. We Commit to Transforming Lives.
About Next Level Trainings
Next Level Trainings provides experiential leadership programs that support people in unlocking their passion, power, and purpose. Our emotional intelligence trainings, developed using positive psychology and behavioral science, are proven to make substantial and lasting impacts on graduates’ personal and professional lives while also improving our local communities.
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