Three long-time area volunteers reveal what drives them to give so generously, how they've soldiered through the tough times and the ways in which their efforts pay back – and then some.

Whether it's a national design competition, kids making their own space or locals splashing color amid an active greenspace, Shaker Heights' Moreland district is alive with art and community collaboration.

From an anthropomorphic aardvark to a golden guy named Oscar, the venerable CIA is brimming with surprises of fine art, pop culture and a heaping helping of quirk.

With a new show at the Cleveland Botanical Garden, Cleveland Heights artist Seth Chwast further establishes himself in the local art scene. That he was diagnosed with autism when he was a toddler only underscores his achievements.

Cleveland actor Lara Mielcarek's fledgling coalition is bringing Shakespeare – and a new dimension of life – to area inmates.
 

Tigers, flamingos and elephants aside, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is also home to the world-class Sarah Allison Steffee Center for Zoological Medicine – a mecca of animal care, science, conservation, education and research.

As part of our Grassroots Success series, Fresh Water takes a closer look at the "Step Up to UH" program, which aims to connect prospective local employees to jobs at University Hospitals

When De’Anthony Harris was released from Grafton Correctional Institution last October, he had a new outlook on his future. And, thanks to Brandon Chrostowski, owner of EDWINS Leadership and Restaurant  Institute on Shaker Square, Harris also has a second chance at a successful life.

During his eight years in prison Harris, now 27, did everything he could to improve his odds in the outside world. “The best thing that happened to me is I didn’t have kids when I went in,” he says. “The only responsibility was myself. I was blessed that I did the right thing.”
 
Harris enrolled in Chrostowski’s culinary training class at Grafton. He also earned his temporary commercial driver's license (CDL) for truck driving, a certification in pet grooming and any took just about any other workforce training program the prison offered.

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The executive director of the May Dugan Center chats about his passion for health and human services and what ignited his decades of work in the nonprofit sector.