***Cleveland
Neighborhood News***
A Service of the Center for Neighborhood Development (urban.csuohio.edu/cnd)
and NeighborhoodLink (www.nhlink.net)
February 1, 2006
In this edition:
>>>News<<<
HousingCleveland.org
Rebuild Ohio
Gordon Square Homes Development Underway
Neighborhood Connections Grants
Center for Neighborhood Development 2006 Neighborhood Directory
Community Development Corporation Updates
>>>Events<<<
Green City Blue Lake
Law for the Laymen Lecture Series
Newly Elected Officials Certificate Series
Free Tax Preparation
Strapped: Why America's 20- and 30-Somethings Can't Get Ahead
"Home is Where the Heart Is" Lobby Day
2006 Ohio Business Women's Conference & Expo
Ohio & Erie Canalway Signage Plan Public Meetings
Celebrating Women's Health Across the Life Span
The 2006 Human Services Institute
>>>THE NEWS<<<
HOUSINGCLEVELAND.ORG
The result of a partnership of several non-profit and government organizations
in Northeast Ohio, HousingCleveland.org was created to help people list
and find affordable housing in Cuyahoga County. The site launched in
August of 2005 and has become a reliable source of information for renters
and landlords alike. As of early January, the site featured more than
1,900 units, listed by approximately 1,300 landlords. As impressive
as these numbers may appear, the site can support much higher numbers
and will likely grow as the word spreads that this resource is a mutually
beneficial resource for everyone in the Cleveland area who is concerned
with affordable housing. Visit www.HousingCleveland.org
to learn more.
REBUILD OHIO
After the Ohio Vacant Properties Forum held in October last year, many
attendees enlisted in efforts to continue building an agenda to address
vacant and abandoned properties throughout the state. They are pleased
to announce that these efforts have coalesced into a new group called
"Rebuild Ohio" to stop abandonment, restore properties and
revitalize communities.
A consortium of local government, non-profit and civic organizations,
Rebuild Ohio's vision is to promote reclamation and redevelopment of
vacant and abandoned property for enhanced quality of life in neighborhoods,
towns and cities throughout the state. Rebuild Ohio intends to conduct
two major studies in 2006. One study will be a needs assessment to survey
existing laws and tools that address problem properties in the state
and to recommend specific reforms. The other study will attempt to document
and quantify the problem and to estimate the many economic costs borne
by individuals as well as the State and local governments. In addition,
Rebuild Ohio will engage in activities to raise awareness of the issue
and to reach out to all interested parties.
There are many opportunities for individuals who would like to become
involved in Rebuild Ohio, chiefly by working on one of its many committees.
Committee meetings have already begun and if you'd like to get involved
or obtain more information, contact Mary Helen Petrus at maryhelen@cndc2.org
or Lavea Brachman at LBrachman@greaterohio.org.
GORDON SQUARE HOMES DEVELOPMENT UNDERWAY
Detroit Shoreway's Gordon Square Revitalization District on Detroit
Avenue, from West 58th to West 70th Streets is Cleveland's most intact
historic commercial corridor and a budding cultural arts district. Its
development continued last week with the launch of the Gordon Square
Homes project, a $16 million residential and commercial rehabilitation
of several historic neighborhood buildings.
Highlights include the renovation of 64 apartments on the second and
third floors of the Gordon Square Arcade, the addition of the Near West
Theatre in the building that formerly housed Lou's Furniture, and rehabilitation
of several other properties that will provide additional residential
and commercial space at both market and affordable rates in the community.
The project involves funding from the Federal Hope VI program, low
income tax credits, historic tax credits, and City of Cleveland Housing
Trust Fund allocations. Additional project complexities include the
relocation of several of the residents of the units being renovated
into temporary housing off-site while work is completed on their apartments.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONNECTIONS GRANTS
Neighborhood Connections, a special program of The Cleveland Foundation,
recently awarded 87 projects and over $350,000 to groups in 24 Cleveland
neighborhoods. The projects represent a wide variety of exciting neighborhood
activities - from computer training to graffiti removal - and each project
will make a unique impact on life in Cleveland's neighborhoods.
The program continues this year and will provide grants of $500 to
$5,000 to projects that benefit Cleveland neighborhoods. All neighborhood
groups in the City of Cleveland are eligible, whether or not they are
registered as a non-profit. Proposals are due Friday, February 17 at
5:00 p.m.
Groups interested in applying for funding are invited to attend the
final orientation session to learn how to obtain a grant:
Monday, February 6 at 6:00 p.m. at the Walz Branch of the CPL, 7910
Detroit Avenue.
For more information, visit www.neighborhoodgrants.org
or call 216.861.3810.
...
CENTER FOR NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT 2006 NEIGHBORHOOD DIRECTORY
The January 2006 edition of the "Neighborhood Directory"
is now available through the Center for Neighborhood Development. The
Center compiles this valuable resource each year as part of its ongoing
effort to provide a bridge between the city's neighborhoods and neighborhood-based
organizations. The directory features up-to-date organization and staff
listings for hundreds of groups throughout Cleveland.
Print copies are available for pick-up at a cost of $5.00 and by mail
for $6.00. Call 216.687.2166 for more information or view the online
listings at www.nhlink.net/neighborhooddirectory.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION UPDATES
Cleveland's CDCs continue to crank out fantastic newsletters and web
updates with increasing frequency. Of note are new web sites for the
St. Clair-Superior (www.stclairsuperior.org)
and Tremont West development corporations (www.tremontwestdevelopment.com),
the latest Burton, Bell, Carr Development, Inc. "Community Connector"
newsletter (www.bbcdevelopment.org/bbc/communityconnector.htm)
and an updated site for the Lorain Station Historic District (lorainstation.nhlink.net).
>>>UPCOMING EVENTS<<<
GREEN CITY BLUE LAKE
Hosted by EcoCity Cleveland,
www.GreenCityBlueLake.org has become one of the premiere sites for
the most innovative and useful events, workshops, lectures, and news
surrounding sustainable living and practice in the Cleveland area.
This month's calendar features the CityWheels Community Champion Luncheon,
where community members will find updates on the progress of this unique
car-sharing program (February 4th); a LEED for New Construction Technical
Review Workshop presented by the U.S. Green Building Council (February
7th); and a meeting of the First Suburbs Development Council (February
8th). Visit the above website for more information on these and other
upcoming events.
LAW FOR THE LAYMEN LECTURE SERIES
Saturday, February 4th and Saturday, February 11th
From 10am - Noon at the Memorial-Nottingham Public Library, 17109 Lake
Shore Blvd.
Sponsored by the NAACP, the Cuyahoga County Bar Association, the Norman
S. Minor Bar Association, the Cleveland Public Library, the Cleveland-Marshall
College of Law, and WEWS TV Channel 5, the purpose of the "Law
for Laymen" legal series is to promote understanding of legal rights
and responsibilities within the general community. This free program
will be led by local practicing attorneys from the Cuyahoga County and
Norman S. Minor Bar Associations. The program, which began in January,
will feature two remaining topic areas (Real Estate Law and Family Law)
this Saturday and on February 11th.
Registration is recommended, but not required. For more information,
call Jim Smolinski of the Cuyahoga County Bar Association at 216.621.5112,
ext.103.
NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
Every Thursday through March 9th from 5pm - 7:30pm
At the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, 1717 Euclid Avenue
Today's local government official must possess a broad array of skills
to lead effectively. A program of the Leadership Academy, these short
leadership seminar are hosted by the Maxine Goodman Levin College of
Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University and will provide training
and networking opportunities for newly elected officials. While primarily
intended for the newly elected official, policy makers, council staff,
community leaders, administrators, agency supervisors, campaign officials,
and "trusted advisors" to elected officials are also welcome.
Upcoming sessions feature topics such as municipal finance, ethics
and media relations. Registration is required and can be done by visiting
http://urban.csuohio.edu/academics/leadership/electedofficials.shtml
or by calling 216.687.2206.
FREE TAX PREPARATION
Saturday, February 4 from 9am - 3pm at 4008 St. Clair Avenue
This Saturday, the Cleveland Housing Network (CHN) will host a tax
preparation session for low-income residents who are eligible for the
Earned Income Tax Credit. This free event will provide financial education
and assistance, courtesy of CHN, that will help residents get their
refunds as quickly and efficiently as possible.
For more information, call 216.881.8443 (ext. 1) or visit
www.chnnet.com.
STRAPPED: WHY AMERICA'S 20- AND 30-SOMETHINGS CAN'T GET AHEAD
Thursday, February 9 from 4 - 5:30 pm 1717 Euclid Avenue
Could it be possible that today's college grads are making less than
the college grads of thirty years ago? Is it really getting harder for
young people to get ahead? The Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban
Affairs at Cleveland State University will host Tamara Draut, author
of "Strapped: Why America's 20- and 30-Somethings Can't Get Ahead,"
who will speak on her book and explore how she thinks we might bring
about solutions to this problem in America.
This forum, a joint program of the Levin College Forum, Policy Matters
Ohio, and Demos, is free and open to the public, but registration is
requested. To register, visit http://urban.csuohio.edu/forum/strapped
or call 216.523.7330.
"HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS" LOBBY DAY
Tuesday, February 14 at 11am at the Riffe Center, 77 S. High Street,
Columbus, Ohio
Sponsored by the Coalition for Responsible Lending, this lobby day
event is an effort to raise awareness in Columbus and statewide about
the impact of predatory lending on our communities. From the four-part
Columbus Dispatch series, "Brokered Dreams," to the crafting
of bills by Senators Roberts (SB162), Padgett (SB 185), and Dann (SB
199), it is clear that predatory lending in Ohio has become a high-priority
issue for community advocates, legislators and policy-makers throughout
Ohio. The listed bills represent an attempt to expand of current laws
in ways that could significantly tame the practice of predatory lending.
To learn more about this event in Columbus and how to get involved
with this issue, visit the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in
Ohio's web site at www.cohhio.org
or contact Cathy Johnston by calling 614.280.1984 or emailing cathyjohnston@cohhio.org.
2006 OHIO BUSINESS WOMEN'S CONFERENCE & EXPO
February 16 & 17 at the Cleveland Renaissance Hotel & Conference
Center
Presented by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for Ohio, the 2006 Ohio
Business Women's Conference & Expo will attract over 800 women business
owners for a two-day conference promoting women's business enterprises
at all stages of development. Business owners are invited as exhibitors
or attendees and will find an intriguing forum with information and
tools that will help them to expand their business and markets.
For more information on registration, sponsorship and participation,
visit www.hbahcco.org.
OHIO & ERIE CANALWAY SIGNAGE PLAN PUBLIC MEETINGS
Various Dates
The Ohio & Erie Canalway, a federally recognized National Heritage
area, traverses over 100 miles of Northeast Ohio from New Philadelphia
to Cleveland. The greenway's trails and resources are constantly expanding
throughout the region and communities in and around Cleveland will begin
to see more of their impacts and benefits in years to come. The planning
process is still very much underway and public input is needed as the
process continues. The following meetings are the final opportunities
to voice your opinion of the Canalway's Signage Plan.
Thursday, February 23 at the Zoar Schoolhouse (Folttz & Fifth Streets)
in Zoar
Tuesday, February 28 at the Marina @ Sippo Lake (5300 Tyner Street NW)
in Canton
Wednesday, March 1 at the Independence Tech. Ctr (6801 Brecksville Rd.)
in Independence
Tuesday, March 7 at the Coventry Oaks Pavilion (40 Axline Ave.) in Akron
All meetings begin at 6:00 PM. For more information or to RSVP, call
Jennifer at 216.520.1825 or email jbrosseau@ohiocanal.org.
CELEBRATING WOMEN'S HEALTH ACROSS THE LIFE SPAN
Thursday, February 23 from 11:00am - 4:00pm in CWRU's Thwing Hall, 11111
Euclid Avenue
Sponsored by the Center for Minority Public Health of Case Western
Reserve University, the V-Fest will be a day of information, education
and networking to empower women and those who support women's health
issues in our community. Children's activities will also be provided
throughout the event.
For more information, contact Jenice Contreras at the Center for Minority
Public Health by calling 216.651.6191 or emailing jenice.Contreras@case.edu.
THE 2006 HUMAN SERVICES INSTITUTE
Friday, March 24 at the Cleveland Convention Center, 500 Lakeside Avenue
The Human Services Institute attracts hundreds of professionals and
volunteers from Northeast Ohio and is used by cities across the country
as a model for community education on health and social issues. The
64th annual Institute will be held Friday, March 24, 2006. Session and
registration details can be found at http://communitysolutions.com/hsevent.
DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this message and the opinions
expressed by readers do not necessarily reflect those views of the Maxine
Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs and/or Cleveland State University.
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