United Way Services of Greater Cleveland

Cleveland Sight Center
Visually Impaired Senior Has Easier Life
"Being old is no bargain, but old and visually impaired is the pits," says Shirley Cozza, 80, a Solon senior with age-related vision loss and unable to care for herself safely and independently. At the Cleveland Sight Center, a United Way partner agency located at 1909 East 101st Street, the Independent Living programs taught Cozza the skills necessary to live independently. Instructors came to her home to show her safe ways to cook, clean her home and travel alone safely.

"All the aids to help me see are just wonderful," said Cozza. "But most of all the people who taught me were the best. I am much more at ease with my affliction. My thanks to the Sight Center for being so kind to an old lady."

The Cleveland Sight Center, one on United Way's nearly 130 partner agencies, shares the goal of providing Seniors success and helping them to live with dignity.

When Life Changes in a Heartbeat, United Way is There
As the ashes of the WTC continued to fall on September 15, in Cleveland a sudden rear-end collision by a drunk driver sent three members of the Wilson Family hurtling through the air in their sport utility vehicle and in need of the safety net of health and human services supported by United Way Services. Shandra Wilson and her 11-year-old daughter Stephanie were injured and have now recovered, but ten-year-old Danielle was thrown from the car, nearly ending her life. For three months Danielle lay in a coma, with little hope for the family until her first halting steps toward recovery began. It was a painstakingly slow recovery for Danielle and her family. When it came time for follow-up treatment, the family rejected suggestions for a nursing home, and Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation, a United Way partner agency, accepted Danielle, even though insurance issues threatened payment. United Way Services provides $70,500 annually for general inpatient care at the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation, so that families can access this kind of program.

With physical, occupational and speech therapy that a nursing home could not provide, Danielle made slow, but steady progress until she was able to go home. Still using a wheelchair, Danielle attends the fourth grade at Carylwood Middle School in Bedford and continues treatment at the hospital. Is there hope for Danielle's complete recovery? "I will bet my career on it," says Douglas Henry, M.D., her doctor at the Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation. Because of the generosity of United Way donors, the safety net of services is there for patients like Danielle, when their lives change in a heartbeat and there is support for the community-wide priority of health and caring for all.

Save Me From the Little House on the Prairie and MASH Reruns
An active man for most of his 80 years, Frank Patla suffered a small stroke followed by a broken hip and a knee injury, all of which kept him homebound until his sister, Angie, suggested that he come to one of three centers of Senior Citizen Resources, Inc., a United Way partner agency. Fortunately for Frank, and other seniors like him, United Way funds several programs through these partner agencies. Provision of coordinated transportation for seniors is a priority of the community-wide agenda concentrating on Senior Success.

Patla makes an appointment to be picked up by a van and is taken to the Schwab Center on Memphis Ave., where he receives a delicious hot meal. The atmosphere is not sedate as seniors participate in chatter, chair bowling, line dancing and many other activities. The common denominators are laughter and companionship among people who enjoy each other and the honky tonk sounds of the player piano.

"I like coming here," said Frank. "I get very tired of watching reruns of Little House on the Prairie and MASH." United Way, which is committed to providing a full life with dignity for seniors, has a priority among its goals of providing transportation to activities, medical facilities and other places so that seniors can live healthy, active lives.

Bridge to a New Life of a Stronger Family and Successful Children
A family — man, woman and four young children — huddled under Cleveland's Fulton Road Bridge, homeless, frightened and confused by customs and language very different from their native Puerto Rico. An anonymous tip to the Spanish American Committee, a United Way partner agency, extended the safety net of care to the family, which was taken in and temporary housing provided for the adults until a permanent home could be found. While the family was being stabilized, the children were under the care of Children and Family Services.

The Spanish American Committee provided the down payment and first month rent for an apartment and support for the family through programs and language abilities. The mother, Glenda Marquez, continues to benefit from parenting and training from Catholic Charities, while José receives support from Bridgeway, Inc., also both partner agencies of the United Way safety net.

Still shaken from the experience in which all of their possessions were placed on the sidewalk to be ruined by rain, the family is striving to succeed. "The children had beds, and we had furniture when we were in our house," said José. Because of the generosity of Greater Clevelanders, a network of at least three United Way partner agencies has responded to the family's needs, so that they can be together in their new land, two of the children can get the special medical care they need and all four can attend school on their way to becoming successful adults. The generosity of Greater Clevelanders allows United Way to support the safety net of health and human services, as well as the community-wide priority of strong families = successful children.

Youth Opportunities Unlimited Helps a Young Man Toward Employment
As unemployment claims in our country reached the highest rate in 19 years, Curtis O. Clark, unemployed and age 22, really wanted a job. Frances Burton, job placement coordinator for Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU), a United Way partner agency that strives to link youth with employment opportunities, connected him within the hour with James B. Chones, marketing manager for Cook Paving and Construction Co, Inc. Chones signed Clark on for a part-time job doing custodial work at Cleveland Hopkins Airport through a contract that Cook Paving and Construction Company's Facilities Support Services has with the airport.

"It's a blessing that I got a job," said Clark, who wants to complete his GED and continue his education in business through Cuyahoga Community College. "I put all my own into the job," said Clark. "That's how I do everything. I even go in on my off days, I like it so much."

For Chones, a former basketball player with the Cleveland Cavaliers (1963-79), Clark was just what he was looking for. Cook Construction, its president Richard Rogers and Chones share a commitment to help disadvantaged youth.

Opportunities in the future may include helping him to get a journeyman position and enter the construction field. In the meantime, "everybody at the airport loves him," said Chones.

United Way is committed to strengthening educational opportunities and supporting employment through increased skills and employment services and through the community-wide priority of Learning and earning for life. Thanks to our generous donors, United Way Services formed a three-way partnership with Cook Construction and Paving Company and Youth Opportunities Unlimited to open doors, offer a supportive work environment and help Curtis Clark, a young man who sincerely wants to succeed in the work force, along the way to achieving his dreams.

Click here to view a full list of United Way partner agencies.

Earth Share of Ohio

We are Stewards
"We are all stewards of preserving and maintaining our earthly home in all of its diversity and beauty. This is a responsibility we have to our children and to their children."

We are Caregivers
"We are caregivers for the Earth. We need to remember that and do our share - for ourselves, our children and our communities".

Click here to view a full list of Earth Share of Ohio partner agencies.

Community Shares

ACLU of Ohio Foundation
A concerned mother contacted ACLU when her daughter was denied admission to the Homecoming dance because of her choice to bring another female as a date. ACLU immediately took action and notified the school that it had violated a law forbidding discrimination based on sexual orientation. Within hours, the school contacted the young woman and informed her that she was welcome to attend the dance with the date of her choice.

Cleveland Public Theatre
In the Y-Haven Theatre Project, CPT staff worked with men in addiction recovery at this transitional housing residence for several months, focusing on self-expression skills. The men then compiled their stories into a play, “Buried,” and toured at various locations in Cleveland, including drug treatment centers, juvenile detention facilities, and churches. One alumnus of the project, Anson Tolliver, now works with CPT on production crews and serves as facility manager.

Hard Hatted Women
One of HHW’s most visible avenues for supporting women to achieve true economic independence is the Pre-Apprenticeship Training program (P.A.T.), which prepares about 40 women annually for entry into a skilled trade or other high-paying field dominated by men. HHW has maintained a placement rate of about 65% with an average starting wage of $11.40 per hour. A majority of women served are low-income, and many are raising families as a single parent.

Near West Theatre
A trendsetter, NWT was formed in 1978 to provide the youth of Cleveland’s Near West Side an alternative to drugs, violence, and vandalism, and to create an avenue in which adults could see teens in a positive light. It has expanded to include children and adults in intergenerational productions so that a learning experience is created for people of all ages. NWT productions encourage discussion, discovery, and interaction with themes that are relevant to peoples’ lives. By sharing unique life stories, finding their own voices, and forging personal connections with a production, the participants take part in self-discovery and community building through the medium of theatre.

The Women’s Center
Cheryl came to the Women’s Center having had her five children removed from her care and her sixth child born positive for drugs. She provided a moving statement at the Center’s anniversary celebration, after eight months of sobriety and regaining custody of her children. Cheryl is one of 389 women who have sought substance abuse treatment from the Women’s Center. The Center has cared for 511 children of substance-abusing mothers, and 20 babies were born drug-free throughout the past year.

Click here to view a full list of Community Shares partner agencies.