Not That Different

What role should the Church play in addressing homelessness and serving people in crisis? In this episode of Not That Different , we sit down with Phil Kerlin, Interim Pastor at Journey Church in Cleveland and a leadership coach who works closely with The City Mission's senior leadership team. Through his coaching and guidance, Phil helps strengthen the leadership, vision, and effectiveness of the...

What difference can one person make? In this episode of Not That Different , we sit down with one of The City Mission’s dedicated volunteers and supporters to talk about what happens when someone chooses to get involved. Through volunteering, giving, and building relationships with residents and staff, she has gained a firsthand perspective on the realities of homelessness and the power of showing...

What does it take to truly understand a community before trying to serve it? In this episode of Not That Different , we sit down with Sam Jablonski, a community researcher who partnered with The City Mission to better understand the needs of Cleveland’s Ward 5 neighborhood. Through his research, Sam helped us take a closer look at the challenges, strengths, and opportunities within the community —...

What does neighborhood development have to do with homelessness? In this episode of Not That Different , we sit down with Ricardo León, President and CEO of the Cuyahoga Land Bank, to talk about one of the most important and often overlooked parts of the homelessness conversation: safe and affordable housing. Ricardo shares what the Cuyahoga Land Bank does, why its work matters, and how restoring...

What does it look like to lead an organization serving people in crisis — and to stay connected to the heart behind the work? In this episode of Not That Different , we sit down with Linda Uveges, CEO of The City Mission. Linda’s journey began more than 20 years ago as a volunteer, and over time she has grown into the role of leading the organization — overseeing both Laura’s Home Women’s Crisis C...

Today, we’re talking with a local pastor and member of The City Mission’s Board of Trustees who recently spent time with our staff reflecting on the story of Philemon and what it teaches us about dignity, status, and the way we see others. His perspective helps us connect an ancient biblical story to the work we do every day serving people who are often overlooked or misunderstood. And through con...

What does real change actually look like? In this episode of Not That Different , we sit down with two brothers who came through The City Mission during one of the most challenging seasons of their lives. Facing instability and uncertainty, they made the decision to step into the program and begin the hard work of rebuilding. Today, their lives look very different. Not only have they found stabili...

What does it really take to rebuild a life? In this episode of Not That Different , we sit down with Sarah Cody and Raquel Nashe, Workforce Development Specialists at The City Mission. Every day, they walk alongside residents who are stepping out of crisis and beginning the hard work of rebuilding — not just their résumés, but their confidence. We talk about what it looks like when someone enters...

In this episode of Not That Different , host Jaime Buxton sits down with Katie Skizenta, Intake Specialist at Laura’s Home Women’s Crisis Center. Katie is often the very first person women speak to when they call for help, hearing their stories in moments of fear, uncertainty, and crisis. Through her frontline perspective, Katie shares what homelessness really looks like right now — the job losses...

Why would a rescue mission start a podcast? In this introductory episode of Not That Different , host Jaime Buxton shares the heart behind the microphone. We explain who The City Mission is, what we do, and why we believe the conversation around homelessness needs to change. For over a century, The City Mission has walked alongside men, women, and children experiencing crisis — offering not just s...