People. Partnerships. Dear Friends, Plans. While sometimes it seems like we are moving in a hundred directions all at once, virtually everything we do at Fairfax Renaissance Development Here’s how a recent set of findings from the Maxine Corporation (FRDC) comes down to a combination of just three things: Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs talked People, Partnerships and Plans. about Fairfax. We exist to help the people of our neighborhood live in a community that “Greater Cleveland is transitioning into a knowledge is safe and supportive–a good place to call home. Through programs economy. The neighborhoods that best fit the criteria like Greater Circle Living, we help many realize their dreams of home are Fairfax, then parts of Glenville, Buckeye-Shaker, ownership. Griot Village provides senior adult caregivers a place designed Buckeye-Woodhill and Hough. The analysis pinpoints a to accommodate their needs and those of the children in their care. part of the city that is of particular importance. It is the Our Model Block Program helps residents afford needed repairs to their intersection of East 105th Street and Cedar Avenue in homes and streets. Fairfax. The intersection is near the north terminus of Our work takes many hands to do. So, to bring our programs to life, the Opportunity Corridor roadway project and future we establish partnerships. Partnerships between our residents and site of IBM. The block is arguably the geographic FRDC. Partnerships with neighborhood businesses and institutions like epicenter of the region’s transition into the Cleveland Clinic, that are part of our neighborhood. Partnerships with knowledge economy. Continued investment in a wide range of social service agencies. Partnerships with financial the vicinity could be catalytic.” institutions and other businesses in Northeast Ohio.
The combination of wonderful People and collaborative Partnerships empowers us to make big Plans, to dream big dreams.
Plans like the KaBOOM! Playground at Griot Village. Plans like Innovation Square and Playwright Park. And then, we go out and achieve them!
Fairfax has what it takes. And, this year has been just one more example in our history in which People and Partnerships came together to achieve great Plans.
It’s a formula we plan to keep using.
Sincerely, Denise VanLeer Stephen E. Baucher Executive Director President, Board of Directors
1 KaBOOM!
Morgan Stanley
Cleveland Clinic
People. Partnerships. Plans. KaBOOM! With a little help from our friends. Griot Village Residents Like many of our activities, the beginning and completion of the KaBOOM! Playground Project covered The KaBOOM! Build Day had almost 250 volunteers from Representative Stephanie Howse multiple years. The possibility for a playground at Griot Village first surfaced in 2014, but because of busy Morgan Stanley, FRDC, CMHA, the Fairfax community, schedules the real planning began in 2015 with completion in 2016. Good things take time. as well as members from area construction companies, universities Councilwoman Mamie Mitchell and churches. These partners joined forces to build the playground KaBOOM! is a national nonprofit whose mission is to bring balanced and active play into the daily lives of Fairfax Residents children, especially those living in low income neighborhoods. KaBOOM! brings together parents, advocates, in one day at Griot Village. community and national partners to ensure that kids have the opportunity to play. As Build Day drew closer, we discovered we were responsible for FRDC Staff Griot Village did not have a designated space for the children. Most youth were playing along the driveway clearing trees, leveling the site, putting in walkways and other site Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing area of the development, which was a safety concern. FRDC applied for and was awarded funding to create preparation tasks. We weren’t sure how we were going to get it all Authority a playground space for the families at Griot Village. Having a safe place for the youth to play not only done. But the construction workers from Whiting-Turner, who were Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing benefited the kids at Griot, but the seniors as well. By having this dedicated space for their children to play working on the Cleveland Clinic Parking Garage heard about our problem Authority Police Department and socialize, it helped grandparents/caregivers with safety concerns while the children played. and volunteered to help. In just one day they prepared the lot for the playground. Then on Build Day, they were back again to help put things In May 2016, a design day was held where both the youth and adults were able to pick out and design their Turner Construction Company together. As a result, we got done ahead of schedule. space. Over 50 residents, youth and community stakeholders participated. In June 2016, Prep Day had over (The KaBOOM! people were very impressed.) Great Lakes Construction 60 volunteers. The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
Superior Fence & Builders
Antioch Baptist Church
John Carroll University
Lake Erie Electric
Fairfax Recreation Center
St. Adalbert School
Cleveland Food Bank
Emmanuel Baptist Church
City of Cleveland
Donley’s Inc.
21st Century
KaBOOM! Build Day with 250 Volunteers helping. It’s all about coming together around children. It was a great day of working together, music and joy. And the children obviously had the last smile!
2 3 GCL 2016 By the Numbers
26 Home Purchases
“You Meet a Lot of People in Your Neighborhood.” 37 Rental Assistances – Sesame Street song 4 Exterior Repairs
Our people are our greatest strength. And over the past few years, more and more people are 1 Home Upgrade/Improvement discovering that the Fairfax neighborhood is a good place to live. FRDC is working to bring that message to more people, and help them find a home in Fairfax.
Greater Circle Living In May, Greater Circle Living celebrated its 8th anniversary. The program has supported over 90 new residents who have come to call Greater University Circle neighborhoods like Fairfax home. The program, which is administered by FRDC, continues to diversify neighborhoods by attracting an ethnically and financially diverse population.
Movie Nights Weather can change quickly in Cleveland. Go figure. Changes in weather caused two of our three movie nights to be cancelled. However, over 100 families gathered to attend the showing of Meet a new Fairfax resident. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (“gnarly, dude!”) on July 9th. Fun included face painting, African drumming, line dancing, music, Robin Jones had rented apartments in Cleveland neighborhoods, free popcorn and water. Cleveland Clinic provided kids’ activities but wanted to own her own home. As an employee of the non-profit and health education. financial counseling/education, foreclosure prevention organization, Empowering and Strengthening Ohio’s People (ESOP), Robin was eligible to participate in the Greater Circle Living Program. Lunch Buddies
“My home is now one mile away from my job,” says Robin. Lunch Buddies is a mentoring program that provides support, friendship “I also attend church in Fairfax and recently started attending bible study, and positive role models for students in the 3rd–5th grades at Bolton just down the street. The application process can be complicated, but Elementary School. Every Friday throughout the school year, volunteers Wyonette Cheairs really helped. Her patience, dedication, attention to work with students during their lunch hour, helping to improve their detail and hard work helped me realize my dream of home ownership.” social, behavioral and academic skills. In 2016, volunteers from Antioch Baptist Church, FRDC staff and students from the Mandel School of Applied Sciences at Case Western Reserve University, contributed over 4 260 hours to the program with 80 children participating. 5 Fairfax People.
Griot Village NASA MUREP Program Cleveland Clinic Health The NASA Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Aerospace Academy, Challenge is an innovative, national project designed to increase participation and retention of The Six Week Health Challenge is part of The Healthy historically under-represented K-12 youth in the fields of science, technology, engineering, Community Initiative, which is a collaborative effort and mathematics (STEM). Ten youth from Griot Village participated in the eight-week between Cleveland Clinic and community partners Saturday program held at TRI-C in collaboration with NASA. The Aerospace Academy to promote optimal health and wellness through Resident of the Year Program included lectures, field trips and hands on curriculum based on grade level. Youth education, nutrition and physical activity. The “Peace and Blessings.” That’s the greeting you’ll hear almost received free transportation to and from the program via a donation from KeyBank. Kick-Off Event was held Saturday, June 4th every time you run into Mike Herron, better known as Brother at the Langston Hughes Health Center. Mike, our Resident of the Year. And, because Brother Mike loves The family-friendly event included free to help out with odd jobs all over the Fairfax neighborhood, it’s likely Rain Barrel Program health screenings, exercise and you’ve already heard his greeting–or will, soon. Brother Mike helps In partnership with the City of Cleveland’s Office of Sustainability, eligible residents are able dance demonstrations, cooking neighbors with their landscaping, home rehab and remodeling. He helps to receive a free rain barrel for their homes. FRDC delivered 16 rain barrels in the Fairfax area. demonstrations, a safety tent, out at the soup kitchen. He gets involved in gang counseling. He just enjoys Since 2008, a total of 197 rain barrels have gone to Fairfax residents, to assist them with raffle gifts, music, prizes helping people. Mike is also an active parent, supporting his three children– gardening projects and to save on water usage. and more. Mikela, 16, Mike, Jr., 13 and Milique, 12–in their school and sports activities. A 21-year resident of Fairfax, Mike says Model Block Program the best reason for someone to consider moving to Fairfax is simple,t“You can The Model Block Program is an exterior feel the love and care shared between home repair program that provides low income resident homeowners with neighbors.” Bless you, Mike. exterior repairs and improvements such as minor carpentry work (including porch repair), painting, gutter repair or replacement, roof repair/replacement, power washing, and Yard Lights. In 2016, FRDC assisted 20 homeowners in the designated Model Block areas: East 86th Street to 100th Street, from Cedar to Woodland. In addition, FRDC distributed Yard Lights to 10 homes.
6 7 Community Partnerships Matter. Clean-Up Days FRDC partnered and coordinated with many community partner organizations, churches, and businesses to provide community cleanups, clearing vacant lots to aid in the beautification of the Fairfax neighborhood. In total FRDC organized nine community cleanups with partners, friends and neighbors, donating over 2,277 hours of volunteer service. Just four examples:
May 16th to 18th Volunteers (including workers from three construction companies) came out and cleared four vacant lots on Golden Avenue in preparation for construction of the KaBOOM! Playground. Volunteers removed tree stumps, old fencing, leveled the site with dirt and constructed an ADA ramp for the entrance of the playground.
June 27th to 29th FRDC coordinated volunteers to complete clean-up Partner of the Year activities on Golden Avenue to prepare the site for the KaBOOM! Playground. On June 29th, a total of 249 Morgan Stanley Healthy Cities Initiative volunteers worked five hours to build the KaBOOM! FRDC is pleased to name Morgan Stanley our 2016 Partner of the Year. Since 2012, Morgan Stanley and playground and garden areas. (We’re told we completed KaBOOM! have partnered with community organizations, like FRDC, to build playgrounds nationwide. the build in record time!) Our new playground at Griot Village is part of a program focused on helping children get a healthy start August 19th in life, by providing access to safe and fun places to play. Morgan Stanley’s Healthy Cities Initiative is a philanthropic program designed to coordinate wellness, nutrition and play resources that can be the FRDC partnered with Habitat for Humanity, Great Lakes basis of a child’s healthy start. Construction, and neighborhood residents for a “Spruce Up Day” at various locations in the Fairfax neighborhood. By working with national and Cleveland-area non-profit organizations, such as FRDC, KaBOOM! Volunteers removed debris, cleaned vines from fences, and the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, the Healthy Cities Initiative is able to connect otherwise trimmed trees, branches, put down mulch and topsoil and separate wellness, food and play-safe programs that benefit children in underserved Cleveland installed plantings. neighborhoods. Our partnership with Morgan Stanley Healthy Cities began in June of 2015, with the completion of the playground at Griot Village in June 2016. Since its launch, Healthy Cities October 1st Cleveland has delivered over 825,000 healthy meals; more than 1,600 health screenings; regular After the KaBOOM! Project, Great Lakes Construction fitness and play programs for over 3,000 kids; and safe play spaces for 500 children. selected the Fairfax neighborhood for their annual Welcome to the neighborhood! employee volunteer day. Employees assisted at Quincy Park, Langston Hughes and St. Adalbert School. 8 9 Fairfax in Bloom We are fortunate to have green spaces in our neighborhood that allow people to walk or rest, and leave some of Partnerships Make a Difference. the stress of life behind them. We are also blessed to have many residents who volunteer their time and talent to plant and care for our neighborhood gardens and parks.
Every year organizations and individuals ask, “how can we help?” A partnership doesn’t A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held on Sunday, May 1st for the Community Peace Garden, located at 2215 East 84th Street. The garden was first developed in the spring of 2014, when a group of seven chemical engineering have to be on the grand scale of KaBOOM!. It can be as simple as helping with homework, students from Case Western Reserve University took on the goal of creating a garden that could be enjoyed or small as a gift card. No matter the size, it always makes a difference. by the local community! The students have worked hard and diligently to create a beautiful community space, despite Cleveland’s harsh winters. They plan to grow tomatoes, onions, greens, cabbage, peas, peppers and Adopt A Family various spices. The Community Peace Garden is completely free to use and is for everyone to enjoy! Following Community Resident Meetings, in September, we worked with CMHA’s Green Team to order and Working with our partners at Westfield Insurance, Antioch Baptist Church and purchase plants and supplies for the Griot Village Garden. Then in October, Griot Village residents held a fall Cleveland Clinic Respiratory Institute-Nursing Group, FRDC was able to adopt eight planting day, putting down soil and planting day lilies, mums, black raspberry and barberry bushes. families, including four families at Griot Village. Our support made the holidays a little bit happier for 23 children in the neighborhood. This annual program identifies families in Fairfax who give back to the community and are in need of financial support during the holiday season. Our adopted eight families were Roberson Family (Bolton School); Bellum Family (Fairfax); Coleman Family (Bolton School); Allen Family (St. Adalbert); Allen Family (Griot); Agosto Family (Griot); and Moses Family (Griot).
Holiday Gift Cards FRDC and Councilwoman Mitchell’s Ward 6 office distributed 1,000 $25.00 gift cards from Dave’s Supermarkets to low to moderate income households in Ward 6 of the Homework Help City of Cleveland, during the 2016 holiday season. Working in partnership with students from John Carroll University, volunteers from Antioch Baptist Church, Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences and FRDC staff, the Griot Village Homework Help Program provided over 1,900 hours of tutoring to 19 students. The program is designed to develop strong academic skills, improve academic achievement, develop social skills, improve self-esteem and increase positive attitudes towards school work.
Pictured (clockwise from top): Antioch Mission Team member & Tracy Bellum; 10 Demarion Coleman; Wannetta Allen & Kaylin; and Reginald Riggins (Roberson Family). 11 Workforce Success Story This past year, a 19-year old man came to an FRDC orientation session after learning about it through a flyer he picked up at a neighborhood library. The young man had come to Partnerships Create Employment Opportunity. Cleveland with his mother, after being told by doctors in Michigan that they could not help his mother’s serious heart condition. They instructed him to go to Cleveland Clinic. He drove his mother to the Cleveland Clinic Emergency Room, where she was admitted for surgery. He was told by doctors that he saved her life. At the FRDC orientation session, he shared his story, and stated he was in search of housing, as well as employment to supplement the family’s income. Through networking, FRDC was able to assist him in finding a temporary job. His employer says he is doing a great job and anticipates hiring the young man full- time, soon. Even with the challenges of caring for his mother, he manages to make it to work on time and demonstrates an excellent work ethic.
Workforce Readiness Program Created to address unemployment and under-employment, FRDC’s Workforce Readiness Program provides employment skills training, testing for skill levels, referral to supportive services and assistance with the online application process. Funding from the Ohio Department of Transportation supports two “Job Ambassadors” who perform outreach into the neighborhood to connect community residents with employment and training opportunities. FRDC is a WorkKeys Training & Testing site in partnership with Towards Employment. WorkKeys is a first Partnerships Begin As Plans step toward closing skills gaps, improving workforce quality and providing assessments to help individuals earn the National Career Readiness Certificate, a portable credential that documents essential work skills. In 2016, FRDC continued to partner with the Ohio Department of Transportation Sixty-one individuals participated in the WorkKeys Program in 2016. (ODOT) for the construction of Opportunity Corridor, as well as outreach activities related to workforce development and recruitment of minority FRDC Job Ambassadors distributed over 19,000 pieces of literature, attended 102 community meetings businesses. The $35M contract for the East 105th/Quincy to East 93rd portion of and four recruiting events in 2016. An additional 52 persons were registered with Ohio Means Jobs for Opportunity Corridor (section 2) was signed in April 2016 with prime contractor, training and employment opportunities. FRDC workforce staff placed 68 persons in full-time jobs and 12 in Great Lakes Construction. Section 2 was bid as a ‘Design-Build’ project, and the part-time jobs, and 419 persons attended orientation sessions. bid was awarded based on ‘best value’ rather than ‘least cost’, which enabled ODOT to better evaluate contractors’ approach to the project, particularly with regard to inclusion goals. Twenty percent of worker hours are to be performed by Cleveland residents.
12 13 Plans for Economic Progress. The ongoing development of Opportunity Corridor created opportunities for businesses to take a closer look at the Fairfax neighborhood as a place to locate or expand. The FRDC team was very busy in 2016, responding to inquiries into the New Economy Neighborhood, Innovation Square and Tony Whitfield, FRDC Economic Cedar Avenue, in particular. Development Director, received FRDC staff participated in recruiting and outreach activities as well as providing tours to the Fairfax Business Association familiarize neighborhood businesses with our technical assistance and community development William Seawright Award at their staff. FRDC also participated in economic development strategy meetings to determine the best Annual Black Tie Affair in December, way to attract new businesses to locate along Opportunity Corridor and planning sessions for 2016. The award recognizes outstanding the expansion of the East 105th RTA rapid station. In 2016, we provided 90 technical assistance contributions by local business leaders to sessions, delivering counsel and advice to 28 businesses, including three businesses interested the health, prosperity and continuity of the in relocating to Fairfax, and one property owner seeking advice about developing a vacant parcel. Fairfax community. This technical assistance resulted in:
• Expansion of Rose of Sharon Barber Salon, who received a loan through the City of Cleveland Neighborhood Retail Assistance Program. Opportunity Corridor Profile • Retention of six businesses. Valerie Van Sice Ohio Means Jobs, with the help of the Opportunity Corridor and FRDC, is helping residents leverage their skills for new opportunities. In 2016, Valerie Van Sice had just returned home to Cleveland after teaching Art and Design Technology classes IBM/Explorys in the New Economy overseas. She applied for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, but later found that her information had been shared Neighborhood with many different marketers. This raised her interest in privacy In 2016, IBM announced its selection and security as it relates to technology, and she decided to enroll at of the New Economy Neighborhood the Cleveland Codes: Software Development Academy. She qualified for as the site of its IBM Explorys funding that covered her tuition, books, laptop and even transportation campus. Explorys is a fast-growing assistance. health care data analytics company “The people at Cleveland Codes and Ohio Means Jobs worked really hard to employing around 170 people. The make sure the funding I received was in compliance with the grant. I am very building is scheduled for completion grateful to them and the Opportunity Corridor,” says Ms. Van Sice. in 2018.
14 15 Code Enforcement Inspections Parcels
581 residential Secured all parcels needed for Playwright Park 178 commercial Acquired 12 parcels of land Big Plans Coming Together for Demolished eight structures Innovation Square.
In 2016, FRDC chose City Architecture to provide planning and design services for Innovation Square–the housing project located between Cedar and Quincy Avenues, East 105th Street to East 101st Street. The mixed-use project will feature apartments, townhomes and single family units that complement existing housing in the neighborhood. The project will include market rate and affordable for-sale and rental options. This eastern section of the Fairfax neighborhood leverages adjacent investment activities and is considered a catalyst for additional housing and economic development projects.
FRDC staff continued with land assembly activities and community meetings to keep residents informed of the project and to garner their input on the design of Playwright Park, a green space in the project footprint. FRDC continued to talk with potential development partners for the project and worked with the FRDC Technology Lab Cuyahoga Landbank, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office and City of Cleveland 2,362 participants Landbank to identify vacant, abandoned and/or condemned structures. Staff trains participants to successfully navigate technology- based programs to search for a job, a house, online banking, register for classes, communicate with service providers and connect with friends.
One Step at a Time FRDC on the Road In June 2016, Denise VanLeer was a presenter Achieving any good plan involves completing many, smaller steps. at Greater Cleveland Partnership’s Young Every year FRDC completes many tasks all aimed at our ultimate goal: Professionals forum to discuss planned making Fairfax Cleveland’s renaissance neighborhood. development near Opportunity Corridor. Denise also traveled to Milwaukee, Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Wisconsin as part of a Cleveland delegation to meet with the mayor and Assisted 5,976 people by providing financial assistance to City of Milwaukee development staff restore utilities or prevent shut offs to tour development projects along FRDC staff also educates clients on services and programs commercial corridors in Milwaukee. that have been designed to assist with energy conservation and reduce energy bills. Developed a new computerized, efficient client check-in process 16 17 Officers Staff
Stephen E. Baucher, President Denise VanLeer, Executive Director Tamela Powell Wells Fargo Catondra Noye Workforce Development Specialist Fairfax Renaissance Development Corporation Stefan J. Holmes, Treasurer Assistant Executive Director Carla Williams First Merit, N.A. STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2016 Anthony R. Whitfield Jobs Ambassador–Opportunity Corridor Donte Gibbs, Secretary Economic Development Director Khalid Hawthorne Neighborhood Leadership Institute Debra Wilson Jobs Ambassador–Opportunity Corridor Support and Revenue Expenses Manager, Real Estate Development Beverly Shipp Federal Funding Grants...... $ 277,090 Personnel Costs...... $ 1,146,841 Members John Deal, Finance Jobs Ambassador–Opportunity Corridor Foundation & Other Grants...... 2,076,523 General Overhead ...... 84,328 Greg Brown, Policy Bridge Wyonette Cheairs Iescha Hayes, H.E.A.P. Intake Officer Fundraising Income...... 28,186 Professional Services...... 267,195 Antoine D. Burts, Resident Greater Circle Living Administrator Elise Scott, H.E.A.P. Intake Officer Interest Income...... 196,212 Property Expenses...... 1,267,225 Lamont B. Davis, CWRU Ruby Raines, Office Manager Shanice Johnson, H.E.A.P. Intake Officer Development Fee Income...... 5,772 Other Expenses...... 611,903 Michael Harper, Resident Gail Powell, Receptionist Jacci Prather, H.E.A.P. Intake Officer Rent Income...... 2,196,910 Deloise M. Hood, Resident Kenneth Peterson, Facilities Manager Wendy Carlton, H.E.A.P. Intake Officer Total Expenses...... $ 3,377,492 Other Income...... 4,071 Angela Jeffries, Ozanne Construction Brian Drobnick, Project Manager Ray Brown, Maintenance Staff Kimberly Keith, Resident Laurence Trotter Lamont McKinney, Maintenance Staff Total Support and Revenue...... $ 4,784,764 Neighborhood Technology Coordinator John Malcolm, Resident Sonia Chandler, Maintenance Staff Alisha Memaran Shelton L. Moore, Resident Dianne Crawford, Maintenance Staff Change in Unrestricted Net Assets...... $ 1,407,272 Neighborhood Services Coordinator Denise R. Robinson, Dollar Bank Latonia Goins, Maintenance Staff Deborah Copeland Beginning Net Unrestricted Assets: 01-01-16...... $ 12,980,642 Brian J. Smith, Cleveland Clinic Program Manager–Workforce Brenda Ruffin, Maintenance Staff Ending Unrestricted Net Assets: 12-31-16...... $ 14,387,914 Walter Stanley, Resident Development Damion Harris, Maintenance Staff Milan Wilder, Resident Matthew P. Yourkvitch, Esquire Moore Yourkvitch & Dibo Graduate Interns Chunjuan Cao - C.J. (CWRU Graduate Intern) Lisa Fairfax (CWRU Graduate Intern/Summer Part-time Staff) Kaori Osone (CWRU Graduate Intern) Chantal Tademy (CWRU Graduate Intern)
18 19 Partners. Friends. Supporters. Corporations Foundations/Government City Architecture Case Western Reserve University Cleveland Clinic City of Cleveland Cleveland Housing Network Cleveland Clinic Foundation Deal Group Inc. Cleveland Foundation Dollar Bank Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) Fifth Third Bank Dollar General Literacy Foundation First Federal of Lakewood Dominion Foundation First Merit Bank McGregor Foundation First National Bank Ohio Department of Transportation Huntington Bank PNC Foundation KeyBank United Way of Greater Cleveland Ozanne Construction Company, Inc. Westfield Insurance Foundation PNC Bank Rose of Sharon Barber Salon LLC Skanska USA Building Inc. Individuals Third Federal Savings & Loan Jordan Archer University Hospitals Stephen Baucher Western Reserve Revitalization Darlene & Mark Davis and Management Company August L. Fluker Darryl Green Samuel L. Hawkins Loretta D. Jones Jennifer Price Matthew L. Solomon Stephanie Turner Carla Williams Matthew P. Yourkvitch, Esquire 20 21 8111 Quincy Avenue Suite 100 Cleveland, OH 44104 216-361-8400 216-361-8407 fax www.fairfaxrenaissance.org