Walk for Herr: Ending Her (Women’s) Suffering

On November 1, YWCA board members, staff, and community members came together to walk in solidarity and compassion to support the mission of YWCA Greater Cleveland and the Norma Herr Women’s Center (NHWC). More than a walk, the event was an inspiring statement of one simple truth – that every woman fleeing abuse, homelessness, or crisis deserves open arms to welcome her with dignity, safety, and a path forward.

NHWC is not just a shelter. It is, instead, a collection of stories about every woman who enters its doors, carrying emotional and physical baggage of days gone by. Often, she arrives at one of the darkest points in her life, carrying fear, trauma, and uncertainty. She may have fled violence, lost her home, or been battling mental health or addiction challenges. What she needs most at that moment is not judgment, but safety. A warm meal. A bed. A reassuring voice that says, “You matter, and we are here for you.”

At Norma Herr Women’s Center, the healing begins. The shelter, which welcomes women regardless of their circumstances, provides a low-barrier environment where recovery and rebuilding can take root. Each night, an average of 250 women find refuge within its walls — receiving not only food and shelter but compassion, dignity, and care.

From that first night of rest, a longer journey begins: one of healing, restoration, empowerment and path to self-sustainability. Through counseling, healthcare, nutrition, and community partnerships, women begin to reclaim stability and self-worth. Staff and partners help each guest define her goals — employment, education, health, housing — and take the steps toward achieving them. Since 2019, NHWC has served more than 10,866 women on these paths to renewed independence.

One recent night made the need unmistakably clear: the shelter served 304 guests, far above its nightly average. That number tells a powerful story. The need is growing, and our collective response must grow with it.