'The Metanoia Project' helps change lives

"During the day I would go to work, and at night this is where I'd sleep. This is where it all began."

Bryan Mauk saw the growing number of people like charlie and decided to do something to help. As a senior at John Carroll University he received a $40,000 grant and used the money to create The Metanoia Project.

"The Metanoia Project has two programs: One is an overnight drop-in center for the homeless who live outside," Mauk says. "The second program we offer is the homes for less program, which rehabs abandoned and foreclosed homes and in Cleveland to make them a source of affordable housing for those in need."

Volunteers drive throughout the city offering a meal and a warm place to stay for the night.

"I just couldn't believe the conditions of some of the homeless in our community and how they lived," Mary Patterson says.

They see firsthand what makes The Metanoia Project different from other homeless shelters.

"We want to create a relationship with them, find out what's going on in their life," Carl Cook says. "We have resources for them, we have bus tickets for them, they may get an opportunity to get a job."

The project also helped Janice. She was moving from place to place and about to have her first child.

"I have my own keys to the house and my bedroom," she says "This is my first child and The Metanoia Project helped me to better my life."

"It's amazing to witness and walk with people as they're transformed by The Metanoia Project," Mauk says.

As for Charlie, his story has a happy ending, too; and Charlie has a new purpose:

"They decided when they saw I was trying to get my life together, they gave us a home," Charlie says. "I work part-time now. I do extracurricular work as much as I can for the project to help other people out."

Click here to learn more about The Metanoia Project.