Social Change
When Ebony Naylor received her cosmetology license two years ago, she figured she’d mark the achievement by herself. The eight women who had mentored her for a year had other ideas.
Yet another reason Cleveland "rocks:" Clevelander Michele Gehrmann has created GoRock.com, a free website for people to track painted rocks in public.
Cleveland’s feminist chorus, Windsong, is celebrating an anniversary almost as old as modern-day feminism itself. This little-known cultural gem began 40 years ago with just a few members and has grown into a thriving arts mainstay since becoming official in 2002.
Your spirits will be instantly uplifted within mere seconds of sitting down with Karen McAlpine. The 38-year-old mother of three radiates a positive energy that is no less than supremely infectious. Currently, McAlpine is seeking an opportunity to channel her gift of an inspiring personality into a career where she can help people, make a difference, and somehow give back. Her ever-present smile only falters when she reflects on her experiences trying to secure such a job.
Most Clevelanders know Gabriella Kreuz as the in-game host for the Cleveland Indians, lighting up Progressive Field with her exuberant antics on the Jumbotron. Brimming with fun-loving spirit and boundless energy, it’s little wonder that she’s proven an instant hit with fans. Off-camera, though, Kreuz devotes those same talents to making the Northeast Ohio community a safer place with "Love Doesn't Shove."
Heads up, Merriam-Webster: there’s a new word on the block. It’s called “plogging,” and it’s happening right here in Collinwood.
Bullying doesn’t stop at school—workplace bullying is on the rise, with more than 60 million U.S. workers affected. Yet the U.S. is the only industrialized Western nation not to have laws against abusive workplace conduct. In light of that reality, Lauren Welch and Bethany Studenic are making it their mission to combat toxic workplace culture with The Scarlet Letters Project.
Each year, the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage sponsors a “Stop the Hate Youth Speak Out” essay writing contest—designed to empower youth in grades six through 12 to confront issues such as racism, homophobia, ableism, and xenophobia. This Thursday, March 14, this year's winners will be announced at a special ceremony that is free and open to the public.
Since the first event was held in 2015, the Accelerate: Citizens Make Change civic pitch competition has definitely made an indelible mark on Cleveland—from "give boxes" in the North Collinwood and Central neighborhoods to special needs toy libraries at Lake County libraries to a vibrant new mural in Slavic Village.
Alex Sheen is many things, but "boring" is not one of them. In the last six years, the Lakewood resident has walked across the state of Ohio in 10 days; learned to bake apple pie; personally delivered Disneyland tickets to 100 children with cancer; and driven overnight to bring disaster relief supplies to Hurricane Sandy victims. Why? Simply because he said he would.
Starting today, YWCA Greater Cleveland will distribute posters to those participating in the 2019 Women’s March taking place this Saturday, January 19, in Public Square. Signs are available for pick up at the YWCA administrative offices (4019 Prospect Avenue) before 7:00 p.m. today, Thursday and Friday, as well as from 8 to 10 a.m. on Saturday.
Ever since Brandon Chrostowski opened EDWINS Leadership and Restaurant Institute on Shaker Square in 2013, he has had his eye on bigger things for both his graduates and the Buckeye neighborhood.
On Thursday, Dec. 13, Chrostowski will take a second big step forward in that vision when he opens EDWINS Butcher Shop at 13024 Buckeye Road, just steps from the $1.3 million EDWINS Second Change Life Skills Center campus he opened in 2016.
On Thursday, Dec. 13, Chrostowski will take a second big step forward in that vision when he opens EDWINS Butcher Shop at 13024 Buckeye Road, just steps from the $1.3 million EDWINS Second Change Life Skills Center campus he opened in 2016.
At 60 years old, Rose has big dreams, but knows the first step towards any of her myriad goals is to get her GED. One of 22 siblings, she dropped out of high school many moons ago when she became pregnant. Raising four boys has understandably dominated the entirety of her life to date, but this summer, on a routine walk to the store in her Mt. Pleasant neighborhood, she looked in the window of Seeds of Literacy and spotted site coordinator Kara Krawiec.
“I could see her bouncing around, and I knew I had to go in to see what was going on in here,” recalls Rose. “I’ve been coming four times a week ever since.”
“I could see her bouncing around, and I knew I had to go in to see what was going on in here,” recalls Rose. “I’ve been coming four times a week ever since.”
Helping make a dent in local food crises while dramatically reducing food waste—all with a minimal time commitment—sounds like a dream for many busy people stuck in the daily grind who still want to make a difference. With Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland’s new Food Rescue app, it’s a reality.
Forget Black Friday sales and Cyber Monday deals—for Pam Turos, Giving Tuesday is the most wonderful time of the year. As the founder of Good Cause Creative and WISH Cleveland, Turos is particularly attuned to the needs of local nonprofits, and now she’s helping put them in the spotlight with an innovative Giving Tuesday campaign. Thirty-six Cleveland-based nonprofits will equally split the proceeds from a citywide fundraising movement—and keep the spirit of Giving Tuesday close to home.
Lauren Calig was inspired when she attended the "Facing History Together" Common Ground conversation in June, geared at restoring trust and civility in public discourse. But it didn't stop there—Calig, Laurel School's director of multicultural curriculum, decided to institute a series of ongoing lunchtime Common Ground conversations for middle and upper school students at Laurel.
Refresh Collective has long been hanging out at the intersection of cool, creativity, and community, but now it has an actual brick-and-mortar storefront to call all its own.
Got a great idea for improving Northeast Ohio? It's not too late to apply for the fifth installment of Accelerate: Citizens Make Change, a civic pitch competition slated for February 27, 2019 at the Global Center for Health Innovation.
Chagrin Falls native Wendy Diamond is used to changing lives. Thanks to her advocacy work as the founder of Animal Fair Media, Diamond has helped to boost pet adoption nationwide—literally saving the lives of shelter dogs and cats. But after a trip to Honduras in 2013, she turned her attention to helping human lives by launching Women's Entrepreneurship Day, which will make its Cleveland debut on November 12.
Thrity Umrigar was merely going out to run some errands. But as she was waiting to pay a bill at her Cleveland bank, she turned around and saw a long line of people behind her. Suddenly, she wasn’t just an award-winning, nationally best-selling author; she was an engaged citizen who saw an opportunity that was just too good to pass up.