Four months ago, the Center for Community Solutions and Greater Cleveland American Rescue Plan Coalition launched a process for nonprofits to apply for advocacy work related to pandemic recovery in Greater Cleveland. Qualifying organizations had to be engaged in advocacy that was related to the ten advocacy areas of the GCARP Coalition. Awarded nonprofits would receive a $5,000 grant, called the Advocacy Grant, that would assist the organization in its advocacy efforts. There were many unique and talented applicants with various strategies to address inequity. From this pool of applicants, we have chosen 12 organizations to receive the Advocacy Grant. Below is info on each organization, and what their focus lies in:
Community Solutions GCARP Advocacy Recipients
Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry
Area: Workforce Supports, Economic Recovery, Basic Needs
Mission: “The mission of Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry (LMM) is to promote shalom (peace, well-being) and justice (right relationship) through a Christian ministry of service and advocacy with those who are oppressed, forgotten and hurting.”
Website: https://www.lutheranmetro.org/
National Black Child Development Institute-Cleveland
Area: Early Care and Education, Workforce Supports, Economic Recovery
Mission: “Established in 2017, Black Child Development Institute-Cleveland supports and is currently working on focus areas of the National Black Child Development Institute. NBCDI-Cleveland delivers high-quality resources that respond to the unique strengths and needs of Black children around issues including early childhood education, health, child welfare, literacy, and family engagement.”
Website: https://www.nbcdi.org/affiliates/cleveland
Black Lives Matter Cleveland Inc.
Basic Needs, Modern Government & Civic Engagement
Mission: “Black Lives Matter Cleveland was established in December of 2015 one year after the murder of Tamir Rice. Inspired by the 21st Century “Black Lives Matter/Hands Up Don’t Shoot” Movement which was sparked by the systemic culture of violence in America which disproportionately claims the lives of Black and Brown people alongside a fatally biased cradle to the grave prison industrial complex.”
Website: https://www.blmcle.org/
Comics at the Corner
Early Care & Education
Mission: “Comics at the Corner seeks to put relatable and visually appealing forms of literature in as many hands as possible by way of culturally relevant comic books featuring characters of color.”
Website: https://ioby.org/project/comics-corner-20
Concerned Citizens Organized Against Lead (CCOAL)
Climate Justice, Public Health Infrastructure
Mission: “We have a program to engage, empower community members, businesses, daycare center, schools, and other organizations about lead poisoning and providing peer to peer support.”
Website: https://www.facebook.com/CCOALinfo/about/?ref=page%5Finternal
Harvard Community Services Center
Healthy and Affordable Housing, Basic Needs
Mission: “The mission of theHarvard Community Services Center is to improve the quality of life and social functioning of residents in the Lee-Harvard, Miles, and Seville areas.”
Website: https://www.harvardcommunitycenter.org/
Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless (NEOCH)
Public Health Infrastructure, Healthy and Affordable Housing, Basic Needs, Behavioral and Physical Health
Mission: “NEOCH exists to eliminate the root causes of homelessness while loving our diverse community through organizing, advocacy, education, and street outreach.”
Website: https://www.neoch.org/
Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio
Public Health Infrastructure, Behavioral and Physical Health
Mission: “At Planned Parenthood our mission is to ensure all people have access to the care and resources they need to make informed decisions about their bodies, their lives, and their futures.”
Website: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-greater-ohio
M-PAC Cleveland (More Prayer, Activity, and Conversation)
Public Health Infrastructure, Economic Recovery, Behavioral and Physical Health
Mission: “M-PAC-Cleveland is a collaboration of families and friends who are surviving a murder loss new normal. Our goal is to link surviving families for reciprocal support through prayer, activity and conversation. We are vigilant in prayer for justice on all loss of life crime, ending gun violence and social injustice.”
Website: https://www.m-pac.online/
Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition
Public Health Infrastructure, Basic Needs, Behavioral and Physical Health
Mission: To create equity in the African American community addressing the cumulative impact of racial, economic, environmental and social justice inequities in education, employment, housing and health by working to educate, advocate for and empower the community.
Website: https://neoblackhealthcoalition.org
Northeast Ohio Worker Center
Workforce Supports, Basic Needs, Modern Government and Civic Engagement
Mission: “The Northeast Worker Center is an organization built by workers, for workers, to organize and fight back against the forces that have workers feeling isolated, overworked, underpaid, and exploited.”
Website: https://www.neoworkercenter.org/
Universal Basic Employment & Opportunity
Early Care & Education, Workforce Supports, Economic Recovery, Basic Needs
Mission: “Universal Basic Employment & Opportunity (UBE) is the creation of a sustainable wage job for all Americans - and the best simultaneous investment in people, place, and business. UBE is creating the nation’s first jobs guarantee pilot.”
Website: https://ubemployment.org/
Congratulations to all the applicants that have received an Advocacy Grant!
Congratulations to all the applicants that have received an Advocacy Grant! These organizations represent our efforts at Community Solutions to advocate for the wellbeing of marginalized populations and local support systems throughout Ohio. The alignment of these organizations with GCARP priorities and pandemic recovery are central to the work that we do at Community Solutions and the GCARP Coalition. Our support is provided with immense gratitude, and we look forward to seeing all of the wonderful projects these organizations are able to accomplish with our help.
