Posted October 24, 2024
The Bishop William M. Cosgrove Center, commonly referred to as "Cosgrove," is one of the largest day drop-in centers in the Greater Cleveland area.
Cosgrove offers hot meals, showers, clothing, a food pantry, rent and utility assistance, birth certificates/State I. D’s, and more to whoever walks through their door.
One person who has benefited from Cosgrove’s assistance is Jonathan Bobo, aka Bobo.
“I was constantly making my health worse...but it was people like Bishop Cosgrove that picked me up and put me back together,” Bobo said.
Before Cosgrove, Bobo was living out in the streets where his drug addiction took over his life and would do anything to get his fix.
“All I wanted was some more drugs, because it put me in a stupor. It made me comfortable when I was sleeping on a park bench or in the bushes,” Bobo said.
After being homeless for a few years, Bobo’s son had found him in San Antonio, Texas and encouraged him to come back home to Ohio.
“My son came, showed love to me, encouraged me, and he said, ‘come on back home to Cleveland,’” Bobo said. “So, I came back to Cleveland,”
When he came back, he had met with a few of his friends who planted a seed in him to start his recovery journey.
“My friends said, ‘Man we don’t wanna hear that,’... ‘get bust living instead of get busy dying.’ and that was one of the most effective factors.” Bobo said.
From that point on, Bobo took the leap to get back on his feet and found himself at Cosgrove for hot meals during his recovery.
After getting to know some of the staff and opening up about his struggles, he was offered help to find a place to live.
“They [Cosgrove] helped me with a rent voucher. I didn’t have any money. I didn’t have any job.” Bobo said.
Terrel Valentine, Program Coordinator at the Cosgrove Center was also able to connect Bobo to other organizations to find a job.
“She [Terrel] referred me to Ohio Means Jobs, and Ohio Means Jobs sent me to the National Black Caucus for Seniors, and National Black Caucus for Seniors referred me to... Khnemu Lighthouse.” Bobo said.
With his current job as someone who helps others on their road to recovery, Bobo also hopes to help people stay out of the justice system.
“Ohio is one of many states that the recidivism rate is extremely high,” Bobo said, “Eight out of ten people incarcerated have been there before. Maybe I can help people from going back,”
Bobo has been able to help those who share the same experiences with him and calls the Cosgrove Center a beacon of light.
“Everybody missed in franchise has this one beacon of light, Bishop Cosgrove,” Bobo said, “It's a lifesaver. Bishop Cosgrove is saving a lot of people’s lives.”
The Cosgrove Center welcomes anyone who may need help getting their basic needs met. For more information, click the button below!
Part of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland
