Projects Funded in November 2013

Neighborhood Connections, with additional funding from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, will fund more than $273,000 in grants to 90 neighborhood projects in and East Cleveland. The following details each of the projects, grant amount and neighborhood where the project will take place. Projects marked with an asterisk will be funded in part by the residents of Cuyahoga County through Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.

Neighborhood Amount Organization/Project

Buckeye $5,000 *(Dono Nitiaso) Woodland Hill Homes West African Drumming Ensemble in the Buckeye neighborhood – to start a project called the Griot Project, a collective of community based poets, artists, and musicians who are dedicated to the cultural and artistic enrichment of the community, and a collaboration with Buba Jubau Harris, who will develop afterschool and summer programming for youth and adults interested in learning how to play West African drums. Participants in the drumming workshops will be encouraged to organize a community based West African drumming ensemble and participate in community performances. Buckeye $2,500 Calvary Hill Educational Center in the Buckeye neighborhood – to close the achievement gap in children’s reading skills by providing educational field trips including, libraries and museums, and computer learning to improve students reading. Central $2,000 *Daughters of the Cross in the Central neighborhood – to expand the Quincy Community Garden. Funds will be used to promote the project and purchase equipment. Central $2,500 We have a Dream in the Central neighborhood – to start a kickball team with adults and youth. In addition to the kickball team, there will be face painting, ice cream, school supplies and clothing giveaways at no charge. Clark Fulton $2,500 *Saint Rocco School in the Clark Fulton neighborhood – to start a music program called Music An Alternative to the Streets. Through this program students will learn how to play different instruments, sing, and dance, while working with professional artists.

Cudell $967 *Kirby Manor Senior Garden in the Cudell neighborhood – to make improvements to the vegetable and flower garden. Cudell $1,500 *Madison’s Pathaway in the Cudell neighborhood – to expand and add blooming perennials and year-round flowering bushes to the Madison’s Pathway Garden of the Seasons. Cudell $2,000 *Edgewater Home Owners Association in the Cudell neighborhood – to design and implement a landscape planting traffic island at the entrance to the neighborhood. Detroit $4,000 *Dyngus Day Cleveland in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood – to expand the Dyngus Day 2014 festival. The Shoreway funds will go toward building an outdoor stage, entertainment, promotion, and photographers/videographers. Detroit $2,500 *Keepin’ It Wild in EcoVillage (KIWIE) in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood – toward a Wildlife Habitat Shoreway Certification, which includes: registration fees, property/park fees, and pilot green practices education programs for local residents. The certification relies on a points system to gauge the progress of each community, with 250 points necessary to complete the community certifications. Detroit $2,500 *Manuel Garden Association in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood – to expand and make improvements to the Shoreway garden. Detroit $1,750 *Metro Catholic School for the Westside Community Youth Art Show in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood Shoreway – to host a Community Youth Art Show in April 2014. Funds will be used to rent the 78th Street Studios, purchase matting and display materials, mailings of marketing materials, and refreshments. Detroit $2,500 *Urban Pioneers in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood – to continue a series of workshops that teach urban Shoreway homesteading concepts such as canning, vegetable gardening, fermentation, chicken keeping, and jam making. Detroit $2,000 A Touch of Class in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood – to start a program called Building Future Leaders that Shoreway will teach young ladies from ages 12-18 from diverse backgrounds and cultures to develop high self-esteem and to become well-rounded adults. Detroit $2,000 Gordon Square Residents Association in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood – for a community holiday party Shoreway to celebrate the holidays for low-income families, which will include a gift bag, refreshments, live entertainment, and a visit from Santa at no cost to the residents. Detroit $1,400 Northshore Neighbors Block Club in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood – to host its 2014 Annual Spelling Shoreway Bee. Downtown $4,000 My Neighborhood in the Downtown neighborhood – to create monthly social media and monthly networking events for current and future residents of the Warehouse District. The grant funds will be used to create Welcome Packets, updating the organization’s web site and digital and social media platforms and marketing materials. Downtown $2,500 Operation StandUP! in the Downtown neighborhood – for “I Rise,” a youth development initiative, in which youth select, plan, and implement community project is seeking funding for Operation Beautification: A mural at 2100 Lakeside Ave. Selected shelter residents will participate in the design of the mural and act as volunteers working in conjunction with the youth.

Downtown $2,480 Superior Neighbors in the Downtown neighborhood – to ease tension between the Superior Arts Quarters residents and the homeless population by holding a “Superior Avenue Spruce Up” event. The event’s goal is to gather everyone from the neighborhood to clean up the streets and design and print colorful banners for the light poles. The funds will be used to purchase food and supplies. East $2,500 *Halal Machowl Dance Academy in the city of East Cleveland – to implement three-month ballet classes for Cleveland youth. East $5,000 *McGregor Seed2Feed Organic Community Garden in the city of East Cleveland – to bring back honeybees to Cleveland East Cleveland by holding beekeeping classes for youth and have the youth work in the community garden for eight consecutive Saturdays. The grant funds will be used to purchase equipment and provide a stipend to the youth and instructors. East $3,000 *Our Family Home Center in the city of East Cleveland – to expand its after school snack program, the arts and Cleveland craft activities and provide quarterly field trips for neighborhood youth ages 6-18. East $2,500 *The Partnership in the city of East Cleveland – to host its third annual “Happy to be Nappy” community at Cleveland Forest Hill Park in 2014. The funds will go toward entertainment, stages, tents, microphones, and bouncers for the children’s activities. East $5,000 Arkidsm Inc. in the city of East Cleveland – to continue to provide at-risk youth with education and problem- Cleveland solving techniques through self-exploration, dream stimulation, crisis deterrent and prevention, and self-esteem building exercises. East $2,500 Endued with Power Ministries in the city of East Cleveland – to offer classes that will provide information on Cleveland nutrition a low impact exercises to the community. East $5,000 Luvz Puzzles in the city of East Cleveland – to create puzzles that will aid in the slowing of cognitive Cleveland impairment. The Luvz Puzzles will engage youngsters and seniors. The grant funds will be used to help get demo models of the puzzle manufactured. East $3,000 Walls Inside Out, Inc. – Community Re-entry in the city of East Cleveland – to keep recidivism rates low by Cleveland informing inmates who are about to be released and struggling restored citizens of their rights according to the new laws through informative community meetings, and providing education, and resources. Glenville $2,500 *Circle North Creative Crafts Club in the city of Glenville – to create a crafts and conversations club for residents of North Circle. Grant funds will go towards supplies for knitting, crocheting, and jewelry making. Glenville $3,000 *Cory-Glenville Community Center in the Glenville neighborhood – for an arts and crafts project that will focus on how to become an entrepreneur and make money through jewelry making and arts and crafts. Glenville $3,000 *Layfayette Carthon Music Conservatory in the Glenville neighborhood – to mentor and teach youth who are interested in music how to develop their talent and prepare for college auditions. Glenville $3,000 Care Assisted Living Facility Inc. in the city of Glenville – to train caregivers in CPR, disease prevention, behavior management, aroma therapy, compassion training, and more. The grant funds will be used for CPR training, compassions training, facilitation, materials, supplies, and equipment.

Glenville $3,000 Individuals Collectively Overcoming Negative Situations (ICONS) in the Glenville neighborhood – to provide services to urban youth and young adults, who struggle with challenges of overcoming negative situations by educations, mentoring, and focusing on strategies to help them avoid bad choices, deploy critical thinking and resolve conflict. Glenville $2,044 Rockefeller West Beautification Group in the Glenville neighborhood – to create a forum where residents can come together to share community concerns. The grant funds will be used for refreshments, supplies, and marketing materials. Hough $2,000 Come Home Inc. in the Hough neighborhood – to address the social ills that plague females who are or have been victims of domestic violence by utilizing effective rehabilitation, successful transitioning, and quality supportive services. Hough $3,093 Muslim Council for Concerns of the Elderly in the Hough neighborhood – to purchase more nutritional food for grocery bags to senior citizens and persons on fixed incomes. Hough $3,000 Neighborhood United Street Club in the Hough neighborhood – to continue its Beautification and Home Maintenance Tool Loan Program. The program is a free tool-lending service for all eligible members, giving seniors and the less fortunate an economical way of making home, yard and garden improvements to their residences. Hough $3,000 The Clyde Rahman Community Center in the Hough neighborhood – to implement a twelve week project of Jeopardy Challenge game that addresses mental, physical, and emotional health. The grant funds will be used to purchase equipment, supplies, incentives, refreshments, and contract services. Kamm's $2,694 Citizens from the First District Community Relations Committee in the Kamm’s Corners neighborhood – to Corners purchase 15 bicycles and helmets, 50 baskets and goodies to go in Easter baskets for the annual Easter Egg Hunt. The bicycles will be used for residents would want to participate in the events and pass out Easter baskets to the community. Lee Harvard $4,500 *East 177th Street Club Community Garden in the Lee Harvard neighborhood – to plant a community garden to provide healthy food for the people in the community that do not have access to transportation to supermarkets. Lee Harvard $1,900 Bridge of Hope Community Center in the Lee Harvard neighborhood – to increase food distribution to needy families. The grant funds will be used to pay for two rental trucks and fuel costs. Lee Harvard $500 Healthy Exercise Adding Rhythm to Steps (H.E.A.R.T.S) in the Lee Harvard neighborhood – to expand its program by providing line dancing and exercise for residents of all ages. The grant funds will be used to train more instructors, equipment, and supplies. Lee Harvard $3,400 The Watchful Group in the Lee Harvard neighborhood – to hold an expungement clinic to help ex-offenders get the most from House Bill 337 by offering transportation to the three-day workshop offered by Cuyahoga Jobs and Family Services, basic computer training, resume/cover letter writing, and how to use the Internet to seek jobs. Grant funds will be used for supplies, transportation, and refreshments.

North $3,250 *Cleveland Rock Past Present and Future in the North neighborhood – to create a week-long Collinwood Collinwood Soul and Blues Music Festival. Funds from the grant will be used for performers, historians, and marketing the festival. North $4,000 *Collinwood Painted Rain Barrel Project in the North Collinwood neighborhood – to hold five workshops to Collinwood paint ten total rain barrels with a variety of artists. North $3,000 *V-Media Art Group (V-Mag) in the North Collinwood neighborhood – to fund a project called “Volume Collinwood Magazine” a digital based magazine focused on people in the area and entertainment, fashion, film, and sports that are either living in or from Cleveland. North $4,000 *Waterloo Sculpture Garden in the North Collinwood neighborhood – to host a series of events during the Collinwood Waterloo Arts District’s First Fridays Walk All Over Waterloo. North $3,505 All-Star Cheerleading in the North Collinwood neighborhood – sponsor a cheerleading program that teaches Collinwood basic stunts and tumbling routines. The grant funds will be used to finance the cost to perform at Cavs games. North $4,000 Arts Collinwood in the North Collinwood neighborhood – to continue Music for Miles (M4M), a concert series in Collinwood tribute to the late Miles Kennedy, a neighborhood activist and philanthropist. North $3,000 Collinwood Neighborhood Uniform Exchange Group in the North Collinwood neighborhood – to purchase a Collinwood small inventory of school uniforms to be exchanged for old school uniforms that children have outgrown. North $3,592 Gospel House Fellowship in the North Collinwood neighborhood – to continue to provide a Montessori-type Collinwood atmosphere for children after school for the Kids Community Club. North $2,500 North Collinwood Summer Guide Project in the North Collinwood neighborhood – for the Scoop on Summer Collinwood 2014, which lists up to 150 events and programs in and around North Collinwood in the summertime. City $4,000 Brite Cleveland in the Ohio City neighborhood – to hold the fifth annual Brite Winter Festival in Ohio City. The goal of the festival is to encourage students and young professionals to make Cleveland their permanent home. The grant funds will be used to purchase thank-you gifts for volunteers, refreshments, marketing materials, and electric generators to light outdoor spaces. Ohio City $600 Ohio City Dialogues in the Ohio City neighborhood – to pay for the annual meeting for the 90 non-profit community groups. Ohio City $3,000 St. Paul’s Community Church in the Ohio City neighborhood – to assist Ohio City residents who are struggling with addiction, alcoholism, and mental/health issues with clothing, RTA transportation, lunch money when job skills programs require lunch, and to pay the wages of any work performed. Ohio City $1,020 The Metanoia in the Ohio City neighborhood – for a monthly “Courage to Change” support program, which helps the homeless adjust to seeking and keeping employment. Funds from the grant will be used for refreshments, raffle, and supplies. Ohio City $4,498 The QTeam in the Ohio City neighborhood – to provide training and education for 10 teens who participate in workforce development programs. Ohio City $5,000 Trails for Hope in the Ohio City neighborhood – to increase food bags and personal care packs to the homeless in the community.

Old Brooklyn $5,000 Community Collaborators in the Old Brooklyn neighborhood – to create three free family interaction events: Fall-O-Ween, Cookies and Cocoa with Santa, and Pop Up Pearl Kid’s Zone. The grant funds will be used to promote the events, supplies, and entertainment. Old Brooklyn $4,000 Pedal for Prizes in the Old Brooklyn neighborhood – to hold its annual event in which participants can win a raffle prize by exploring Cleveland’s Old Brooklyn neighborhood by bicycle. Old Brooklyn $4,000 Red Hat Rubies in the Old Brooklyn neighborhood – for a project called “Red Matt Mamas” a project that fights loneliness and depression of 22 long-term care residents. The grant funds will be used for outdoor field trips, local restaurant visits, where residents can order a meal on their own, holiday parties, entertainment twice a year for the entire nursing home, and van transportation costs for Rubies to attend events away from the community. Shaker $3,500 *Cosmic Bobbins Students in the Shaker Square neighborhood – to train, promote, and educate the community Square about the sewn-goods industry as a way to create jobs. Slavic Village $4,000 *Neighborhood Summit Planning Committee in the Slavic Village neighborhood – to host its seventeenth annual community event, which will bring together community and business leaders to celebrate and encourage the perseveration of the historic region. Slavic Village $3,700 *Street Repair in the Slavic Village neighborhood – to host an outdoor concert starting at the five-point street intersection at the Broadway-East 55 Street Historic District. The grant funds will be used for entertainment, artistic lighting and miscellaneous supplies Slavic Village $3,500 *The Cleveland Polish Constitution Day Committee in the Slavic Village neighborhood – to host its annual Cleveland Polish Constitution Day Parade, which will unify and strengthen the traditions and culture the historical neighborhood. Slavic Village $2,922 *Warsawa Block Club in the Slavic Village neighborhood – to create a beautification project (a lavender and herb garden) on a large vacant lot in the middle of the historic district. The grant funds will be used for irrigation system, tools, compost, 700 feet of Garden Soxx, and plant materials. Slavic Village $4,800 Broadway Comanche Cheerleader in the Slavic Village neighborhood – to teach young girls ages 5-14 the fundamentals of cheerleading as an alternative to hanging out in the streets. Slavic Village $2,403 East 63rd Street Block Club in the Slavic Village neighborhood – to collect trash that has accumulated over the winter months. Grant funds will be used to buy supplies, food for volunteers, and t-shirts, with block club logo. Slavic Village $1,750 Girl Scouts of Slavic Village Unit #744 in the Slavic Village neighborhood – to address healthy eating and snacking by introducing participants to healthy snakes and explain proper portion sizes, reading nutritional labels, finding alternatives to fast food, and fitness. Grant funds will be used for bottled water, exercise supplies, cookbook, ingredients for healthy recipes, and supplies. Slavic Village $4,720 Mound Caring Communities in the Slavic Village neighborhood – to hold a monthly networking and parent workshop. Grant money will be used to mail newsletters, postcards, invitations, refreshments, raffle gifts, and supplies. Slavic Village $2,200 New Kingdom Life Ministry in the Slavic Village neighborhood – to a continue drug, alcohol, HIV awareness/prevention, and domestic violence program called “A New Life Project.”

Slavic Village $2,000 NextBroadway in the Slavic Village neighborhood – to produce a comprehensive directory of local businesses called “The Slavic Village Business Directory,” for use as reference by Slavic Village residents, organizations, and businesses. The grant funds will be used to pay for printing costs. Slavic Village $2,900 Opera Circle Inc. in the Slavic Village neighborhood – to produce “La Traviata” to be performed Feb. 28 through March 2, 2014 at the Bohemian National Hall. South $3,000 *From LA 2 Broadway in the South Collinwood neighborhood – to create an arts program for youth ages 12-18 Collinwood that will teach overcoming challenges to accomplish goals. The theatrical program is free to the community and youth will learn the craft of performing on stage. South $4,000 *Seasoned Seniors Sewing for High School Seniors in the South Collinwood neighborhood – for a sewing Collinwood program that will encourage seniors to give back to the community and share their skills and lessons learned in life with youth who have similar interests, while bridging a generational gap. South $3,500 *The Nottingham Youth Center in the South Collinwood neighborhood – for a project called “Youth Forum, Collinwood Leaning with Art” (a reading comprehension program using art as a tool for understanding/comprehending reading materials). The project is held on every other Thursday to aid children with using arts and crafts to improve reading skills. South $2,500 Women’s Awareness Group in the South Collinwood neighborhood – for “Safe for Now,” a program that will Collinwood provide safety educational literature, seminars for women, and stipends for instructors in women self-defense workshops. St. Clair $2,500 *Collinwood Community Music Group in the St. Clair Superior neighborhood – to increase family, children, Superior and community involvement in expanding the “Kids Diversification Music Program.” St. Clair $1,142 *Ethni-City Gardens in the St. Clair Superior neighborhood – for a project called “Channel of Peace” Superior community gardening project, which will use various forms of gardening. Grant funds will be used for tools and supplies. St. Clair $3,464 *Masjid Al-Warith Deen Garden Club in the St. Clair Superior neighborhood – to expand the community Superior garden, clean up the lot, plant flowers to beautify the area, and grow vegetables to feed those who are in need. St. Clair $5,000 Developing Your Neighborhoods and Strengthening Today’s Youth (DYNASTY) in the St. Clair Superior Superior neighborhood – for a project called “FRESH Academy, that provides youth with an opportunity to speak face to face with young adults about the daily issues they face and help them overcome these obstacles and violence. Grant funds will be used for a job readiness/college readiness program, refreshments, and school supplies. St. Clair $2,000 Family 4Life Center in the St. Clair Superior neighborhood – to teach/tutor children in math. Grant funds will be Superior used for instructors, and to expand the program. St. Clair $5,000 Pierre Nappier Jr. Foundation in the St. Clair Superior neighborhood – for the athletic and mentoring program Superior for at-risk youth. Tremont $4,000 Arts Renaissance Tremont in the Tremont neighborhood – to provide free classical/jazz music lessons to those who cannot afford it.

Tremont $600 SoTre (South Tremont) Community Garden in the South Tremont neighborhood – for equipment needed to run a self-sufficient, resident volunteer-run project, and shared space facility. Tremont $2,500 St. Augustine Learning Center in the Tremont neighborhood – to expand its literacy program to include helping high school students past the high school equivalency test, which has switched to a computerized format, and to provide access to those who do not have access to computers and the Internet. Union Miles $4,000 Triumph The Church and Kingdom of God in Christ in the Union Miles neighborhood – by creating programs that will enhance self-esteem through Tai-Chi, computer classes, cooking, arts & crafts, and a book club. The grant funds will be used rent space, marketing, materials for arts & craft projects, and refreshments. University $3,084 *Euclid Historical Tours in the University neighborhood – to conduct tours along the Euclid Corridor for to Forest Hill Park, having live actors portraying historical characters with sets erected. Grant funds will be used for set design, costumes, makeup, transportation, and as a match for the volunteer hours that our researchers, actors, scriptwriters, and costume designers. University $4,700 2 out of 3 Healthy Me in the University neighborhood – to extending a program to fight Type 2 Diabetes, by teaching healthy cooking classes, offering Zumba classes, and hosting a healthy eating fair. Westown $1,000 Halloran Skating Club in the Westown neighborhood – to hold its annual ice show for students in the “Learn to Skate” program. The grant funds will be used to purchase costumes, professional DJ, lighting, props, portable heaters, and free hot cocoa. Westown $2,000 Westown Volunteer Committee in the Westown neighborhood – to hold a free winter neighborhood event. Grant funds will be used for materials, tree lighting ceremony, free pictures with Santa Claus, free ice-skating, ornament decorating for the tree, local choirs performing, and refreshments.