Y-Haven staff and residents were delighted to welcome Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb to their inspirational, First Friday Graduation ceremony in July. The monthly event recognizes residents who have achieved various milestones on their recovery journeys.
After Y-Haven clients offered ‘messages of hope’ to the newest residents, Mayor Bibb offered his own ‘message of hope’ to the 100 clients and staff gathered. He explained “As a child, the first prayer I learned after the Our Father was the Serenity Prayer”. He went on to describe his own encounters with people struggling with addiction and recognized the challenges of overcoming dependency. Mayor Bibb encouraged residents to stay focused on their recovery journey, one day at a time, and thanked Y-Haven for its contributions to the community.
When it came time for the graduation, Mayor Bibb participated in handing out certificates with Y-Haven staff, who were appreciative of his involvement and support. Y-Haven is grateful for Mayor Bibb’s visit and for the support the City of Cleveland provides to those struggling with addiction and mental illness.
Formed by the YMCA in 1993, Y-Haven is the largest residential addiction treatment provider in Ohio. It serves women and men who are experiencing homelessness, re-entering the community from incarceration, and recovering from opioid addiction.