Advocates growing in community, counties

Advocacy 4 All, a new nonprofit that provides free advocacy services, has grown immensely since its origin in April 2017, according to founder TJ Harmon.

The nonprofit moved into its new facility, 5201 Waterford Drive in Sheffield Village, in January, and has provided services to over 70 clients.

Advocacy 4 All has an experienced team of professionals who provide resources and support those who are going through life’s storms, according to Harmon. The group is undergoing a transition, she said. Advocacy 4 All is planning to re-group and rebrand itself to better help its clients, Harmon said. In July, it will become Harbour of Hope. Harmon said the name change is special to her

and team members because clients tell them their support gives hope.

“That’s what anybody wants, is hope,” she said. “Can we always fix all of their problems? No.

“But you know what, just knowing that they can come here talk to someone is important.”

The organization supports clients in Lorain, Erie, Huron, Cuyahoga and Medina counties.

It has received funds through donors, but with the reopening as Harbour of Hope, it will become an official nonprofit that can apply for grants for their clients, Harmon said.

Advocacy 4 All is planning to start a database of volunteers to help support those in need.

The nonprofit provides services and resources for victims of domestic violence, addiction or recovery, inmates or their families, seniors, single parents, veterans and teens.

Any need — big or small — can be supported, she said.

“If there’s absolutely anything that anyone of us can do, we do,” Harmon said. “It’s not that they lack intelligence; it’s a lack of understanding the resources that are available to people.”

She said if she or her team can’t help their clients, they can help guide them to resources that can.

Advocates are with their clients every step of the way and are by their side through any process they are going through, Harmon said.

Most of the advocates who work together to meet the needs of clients have experienced what some are going through or are professionals on the matter, she said.

Harmon said she is a survivor of domestic violence.

She said education on what victims need to do to get out of the situation is important.

However, education is not as crucial to helping someone who has experience in what someone else is going through, Harmon said.

“My team can offer each of their own experiences that relates to our clients,” she said. “(Clients) are so much more at ease to know what they can do, and that we understand.”

Harmon said her team’s passion is to help people.

“It’s been an amazing journey, so far,” she said. “Advocacy 4 All was a pilot project that had a fiscal sponsor, Welcome House of Westlake. Then all of the sudden, we became overwhelmed with clients.”

Kelli Moss, chief communication officer for Advocacy 4 All, and Harmon said that team members and clients have become a family in their journey.

Moss said team members have been much happier than they’ve ever been because they know they are making an impact on people’s lives.

“We live in a corrupt world, where if you tell clients our services and time are free, they don’t believe it,” she said. “We are there for people, and that’s what matters.”

Moss and Harmon said even in the transition of Advocacy 4 All to Harbour of Hope, it can be hard.

But they said they are looking toward the future and are proud of what’s to come.

To volunteer, become a client or donor call 440-2421055.