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Local crisis center employee expands dorm capacity in 24 hours

A local man took it upon himself to help men inside the shelter social distance amid the pandemic.

CLEVELAND — There is a ray of light at one of the local crisis centers in Cleveland. By now, it is no secret that social distancing helps prevent the spread of coronavirus, however it is nearly impossible to do that in shelters across the country. 

Luckily for the city mission, it has Ray.

At any given time, there are around 100 men who stay at the City Mission Crossroads Men's Crisis Center. According to its website, Crossroads is a place to rest, refocus, and restore individuals to lifelong self-sufficiency. Each track includes classes, casework, and coaching designed to prepare men for the positive life they were made to live.

One of the people helping in that mission is Ray Mills, the Safety and Security Advisor for the Men's Crisis Center.

Ray wears many hats including overseeing the cleaning and working with intake during a time of quarantining. However, his latest mission includes spearheading a way to social distance the men inside the crisis center as a health pandemic changed everyone’s world.

“My first thought was, what do we need to do?”

He knew, per the Governor's order, he had to give space to the men. With that said, within 24 hours Ray was committed to tripling dorm capacity – expanding from two dorms to six, including a quarantine dorm, just in case.

“I just believe for some of us, it’s a natural instinct to help, it’s something I can’t quite explain. It’s just part of who I am.”

Ray and his team moved nearly 50 beds and lockers within a day. Not to mention, the sanitizing protocols – a full cleaning three times a shift. Ray goes beyond his job title, because he’s committed to the men. In fact, Ray walked in similar shoes decades ago - he calls it his time of crisis. He says during this time of crisis for the world, he’s doing what his spirit tells him, which includes spreading hope.

“It’s something that can’t be explained for those of us who are trying to know our purpose. I just feel like I’m supposed to."

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