Welcome to WKYC's Hero Central. There are many wonderful organizations here in Northeast Ohio that stand ready to help you. And many volunteer opportunities for you and your family to help those in need. Do you need a hero? Can you be a hero?
Their mission is to work with children with disabilities and their families to strengthen abilities and create opportunities for lifelong achievement in society. They help children with disabilities to lead productive lives through customized therapies, education and childcare programs, camping and recreation opportunities, nationally-recognized autism programs and family support services. Their special focus is serving disabled children ages birth through five.
Phone # (216)292-9700
Website: www.achievementcenters.org
The AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland (ATGC), established 1983, is the oldest AIDS service organization in Ohio. The Taskforce serves as a primary provider in Cleveland of both community based HIV prevention education, and non-medical direct services to people living with HIV and AIDS. The AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland provides a compassionate and collaborative response to the needs of people infected, affected and at risk of HIV/AIDS. This is accomplished through leadership in prevention, education, supportive services and advocacy. These services include: comprehensive case management and client advocacy; housing services, individual and group counseling and support; chemical dependency and recovery services; Ryan White Care Act assistance; social and recreational activities and referrals and linkages with other community and government sources of assistance. In addition to these services, the Taskforce offers a client Nutrition Program.
Phone # 216-621-0766
Website: www.aidstaskforce.org
The AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland (ATGC), established 1983, is the oldest AIDS service organization in Ohio. The Taskforce serves as a primary provider in Cleveland of both community based HIV prevention education, and non-medical direct services to people living with HIV and AIDS. The AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland provides a compassionate and collaborative response to the needs of people infected, affected and at risk of HIV/AIDS. This is accomplished through leadership in prevention, education, supportive services and advocacy. These services include: comprehensive case management and client advocacy; housing services, individual and group counseling and support; chemical dependency and recovery services; Ryan White Care Act assistance; social and recreational activities and referrals and linkages with other community and government sources of assistance. In addition to these services, the Taskforce offers a client Nutrition Program.
Phone # 216-621-0766
Website: www.aidstaskforce.org
The Big Brothers Big Sisters Mission is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with measurable impact.
Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest, largest and most effective youth mentoring organization in the United States. We have been the leader in one-to-one youth service for more than a century, developing positive relationships that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of young people. Big Brothers Big Sisters serves children, ages 6 through 18, in communities across the country – including ours.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cleveland provides mentoring services to children throughout Cuyahoga County. More than 1,500 children were served last year. They provide mentoring, tutoring, and after school activities.
Phone # 216-621-8223
Website: www.bbbs.org/cleveland
Since 1954, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland (BGCC) has worked to improve the quality of life for Cleveland youth ages 6-18 by providing an array of services that build self-reliance and foster personal, educational and social achievement. They offer programs that aim to improve academic success, character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. BGCC offers programming that has been expertly tested by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and has been proven to be a catalyst in the healthy development of children and teens. Programs such as SMART Girls and Passport to Manhood teach kids to engage in positive behaviors that promote healthy and active lifestyles. Other programs pertain to financial responsibility (Money Matters), completing school work or other educational activities (Power Hour), and acquiring leadership skills and positive self-image (Keystone Club).
Phone # 216-883-2106
Website: www.clevekids.org
Care Alliance Health Center is the leading provider of primary health care and comprehensive dental services to individuals and families who are experiencing
homelessness, living in public housing, and uninsured or underinsured in Cleveland, Ohio. The mission of Care Alliance is:
To provide high-quality health care, patient advocacy and related services to people who need them most, regardless of their ability to pay, in a manner that is cost-effective and that empowers people to improve their quality of life. There are three locations but the Downtown St. Clair Clinic has the administrative offices.
Phone # (216)781-6724
Administrative Office Phone # (216)781-6228
Website:
www.carealliance.org
Inspired by the Gospel message called by the Social teaching of the Catholic Church, and guided by the direction of the Bishop of Cleveland, Catholic Charities Health and Human Services continues the mission of Jesus by providing vision and leadership for those who respond to the health and human needs and the social concerns of the people of the Diocese of Cleveland. They provide services to the hungry and homeless, children and families, the elderly and chronically ill, and people with disabilities. They have a large variety of programs that help people with drug dependency, relief services, healthcare delivery, social action programs, Catholic Charities facilities and housing, day care services, employment and training services, and Hispanic services. Also, Rose-Mary, the Johanna Grasselli Rehabilitation Center, is a residential treatment center that educates and habilitates developmentally disabled children and operates group homes for developmentally disabled adults.
Phone # (216) 334-2961
Website:
clevelandcatholiccharities.orgFounded in 1910, The City Mission currently serves over 11,000 clients annually within Greater Cleveland at three different locations: main campus at E.55th and Carnegie Avenue, Laura's Home on Puritas Avenue in Cleveland and Grand Valley Christian Retreat Center in Ashtabula County. Through the tireless efforts of staff and volunteers and the great generosity of many generations of Clevelanders, a variety of programs are provided: overnight shelters and residential transitional programs for homeless men, women and children; spiritual aid for those incarcerated; daytime, afterschool, and evening youth programs; necessities for the poor including clothing and food; and an overnight camp experience for urban youth and families. Their mission statement is to provide help and hope to all people through the transforming power of God’s Love.
Phone # 216-431-3510 (Main Campus)
Website: thecitymission.org
The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center is dedicated to serving survivors of sexual violence and those who support them with free comprehensive healing and advocacy services, and to creating social change in the community through education, training, and activism. They offer support groups and services for families, young adults, and adults. They also offer a 24 hour hotline, therapy, hospital advocacy, justice system advocacy, and community education.
Phone # (216) 619-6194
Website: www.clevelandrapecrisis.orgFor over 30 years in the Greater Cleveland area, The Domestic Violence Center has been dedicated to ending abuse and providing compassionate treatment for its victims. We're here 24 hours a day with an emergency hotline. We're here if you need a confidential shelter, counseling, justice system advocacy, youth programs or supervised visitation. We're here with open arms, hearts and of course, ears. We're here to let you know you are not alone.
Phone: 216-651-8484
Website: www.domesticviolencecenter.orgThe Cuyahoga County Community Mental Health Board (CCCMHB) is responsible and accountable for the planning, funding and monitoring of public mental health services in Cuyahoga County. The CCCMHB works with 34 provider agencies to develop a system of care that enables adults and children to have access to quality and culturally competent mental health services to help control their illness and achieve personal goals.
Phone: (216) 241-3400
Website: www.cccmhb.orgIn March of 1998 Dress for Success Cleveland officially opened their doors to provide the primary and unique service known as dressing -- providing work-appropriate outfits for job interviews.
Due to the great need to have a support group to aid these women re-entering or entering the workplace for the first time, the first retention program of Dress for Success Cleveland, known as
Professional Women’s Group (PWG) was created in August of 1999. In 2004 Dress for Success Cleveland added to their list of services the
Career Center and the
Steps to Success program. Our professional and very small team of 3 is supportive, educated and motivated to serve our clients. Each employee brings skills that are uniquely suited to the needs of our clients. In addition, each employee has been with the organization 6 months to 9 years. All 3 employees are full time and we have over 200 volunteers that give of their time in several different capacities (see volunteer opportunities). Not only are we fortunate to have professional volunteers donating their time to work with our clients, but each member of the staff has qualifications that directly impact the organization as well. The qualifications and backgrounds that the employees possess help to improve our services on an ongoing basis.
Phone # (216) 391-2301
Website: www.dressforsuccess.orgThe Gathering Place is a caring community that supports, educates and empowers individuals and families touched by cancer through programs and services provided
free of charge. The Gathering Place is a nonprofit, community-based cancer support center, serving the social, emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of individuals with cancer and their support network. In this safe environment, people with cancer and their family and friends share experiences and challenges in the spirit of hope and community. Programs and services offered by The Gathering Place focus on healing the mind, body, and spirit. The Gathering Place supports individuals to actively manage the impact of cancer in their lives and improve their quality of life. Trained, licensed professionals provide programs that meet the highest therapeutic standards.
Phone # (216) 595-9546
Website: www.touchedbycancer.orgHospice of the Western Reserve provides palliative end-of-life care, caregiver support, and bereavement services throughout Northern Ohio. In celebration of the individual worth of each life, we strive to relieve suffering, enhance comfort, promote quality of life, foster choice in end-of-life care and support effective grieving. They offer home care, extended care, inpatient care, and also specialized programs for heart/lung, dementia, AIDS, and pediatric care. They also launched the Peaceful & Proud initiative in which staff members of the hospice receive education about post-traumatic stress disorder, remorse and regret related to military service, substance abuse, and how the unique experiences of veterans shape their end-of-life preferences. This initiative was created to better serve their veteran patients. Additionally, the Elisabeth Severance Prentiss Bereavement Center provides support to anyone how has experienced a loss due to death.
Phone # 800-707-8922
Website:
www.hospicewr.orgThe Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland is the largest direct emergency food distribution network in Cuyahoga County. They have 36 hunger centers which distribute a 3-5 day supply of food and 18 hot meal sites that prepare and serve an evening meal at the end of each month. They serve an average of 58,000 people each month. Half of those served are children. This coordinated network of 54 Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland (HNGC) pantries and hot meal programs, plus 76 affiliate sites, is the indispensable link between the food in warehouses and hungry people. For every dollar raised, the Hunger Network is able to provide four nutritious meals. People who lack food security often have other basic needs, such as help with utility bills, rental assistance, child care, medical services, employment opportunities, and training. To address this problem, the Hunger Network created the Community Liaison Project. This program works in tandem with our emergency food centers to provide Client (linking) services, with personalized, one-on-one referrals to 120 local agencies that can offer assistance. Last year, over 6,000 individuals and families were connected to existing health and human services, preventing problems such as homelessness, health crises, and unemployment.
Phone # (216) 619-8155.
Website: www.hungernetwork.orgFounded in 1905, The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland is the fifth oldest legal aid society in the world and has an illustrious history for providing high quality legal services for indigent clients. Legal Aid serves a five county area in northeast Ohio from Ashtabula County to Lorain County including the City of Cleveland which has the highest percentage of people living in poverty in the country. With a budget of over $5 million, The Society has 39 attorneys and 33 other professionals and support personnel to serve 231,000 eligible clients in its service area. They provide free high quality legal assistance to low income clients in Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Lorain counties.
Phone #: 216-861-5217
Website: www.lasclev.orgTheir mission is to help people triumph over mental illness, alcoholism, drug and other addictions. Services provided include assessments, individual counseling, professional interventions, community support services, intensive outpatient treatment, medical services, employee assistance, prevention, information and referral, forencsic, HIV/AIDS, programs specific to older adults, and a dual diagnosis treatment for adults dealing with MH and AOD diagnosis.
Phone # (216) 431-413
1
Website: www.recres.org Since 1969, Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry has answered Micah's call to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God by serving others in the cause of justice. LMM was established in response to the urban unrest of the 1960's, specifically the upheaval in Hough. Today, LMM serves and advocates with persons currently and previously involved in the criminal justice system, youth at-risk, people with disabilities, people dealing with long term care needs and people who are homeless. Other programs are Community Re-Entry, Linking Employment, Abilities & Potential, START Support to At Risk Teens, and Volunteer Guardianship Program of Lorain County.
Phone # 216-696-2715
Website: www.lutheranmetro.orgThe Salvation Army, because of its wide array of services provided to the poor, is known as "Cleveland's Safety Net". More than 50,000 individuals receive help from The Salvation Army annually. Last year, the Salvation Army impacted the lives of more than 78,300 individuals in Northeast Ohio. We are committed to "Doing the Most Good", for the most people, in the most need. Help is needed year round in order for The Salvation Army to do its work. Your monetary contribution goes a long way toward helping fight hunger, house and clothe those faced with disasters, rehabilitate the addicted, care for the elderly and nurture youth. They provide worship services, homeless programs, recovery services, corrections services, recreation, education, senior programs, emergency disaster service units, emergency food programs, emergency direct assistance, and Cuyahoga county service units. They are currently starting a “Christmas in July” program in order to try to raise money for the 35% increase that the economic downturn has caused in the need for their hunger programs.
Phone # 216.619.4681
Website: www.use.salvationarmy.orgThe Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio is one of the largest not-for-profit, community-based home healthcare organizations in the area. For over 100 years, we’ve been helping patients recover or live with injury or illness at home - with comfort and dignity. We serve individuals and families in 19 counties throughout Northeast and Central Ohio. We care for patients wherever they live – at home, in an assisted living facility or nursing home – regardless of their ability to pay. We offer home healthcare, “home assist”, hospice and palliative care, and make housecalls.
Phone # 1-800-HOMECARE
Website: www.vnaohio.orgUnited Way of Greater Cleveland is a fiscally responsible, volunteer-driven organization that invests the funds it raises to improve the lives of more than 400,000 people in our community each year through more than 200 programs at
126 health and human service agencies. In addition, United Way, in partnership with the
Community Vision Council, is making long-term decisions on fundamental issues facing our region. More than 97,000 Greater Clevelanders live united in support for those in need in our community through their generous donations of resources and volunteer time to United Way and the agencies it funds.The United Way 211 First Call for Help program is a free community service that provides information about social, health, and government resources 24 hours a day, every day.
Phone 2-1-1 or call 216-436-2000 in Cuyahoga County, 440-285-3194 in Geauga, or 888-330-4211 in Medina County.
Phone # (216) 436-2100
Website: www.uws.org or
www.211cleveland.orgThe YWCA is the oldest and largest multicultural women's organization in the world. Across the globe, they have more than 25 million members in 122 countries, including 2 million members in 300 local associations in the United States, including the YWCA of Greater Cleveland. Strengthened by diversity, the YWCA draws together members who strive to create opportunities for women's growth, leadership, and power in order to attain a common vision: peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all people. The YWCA will thrust its collective power toward the elimination of racism wherever it exists and by any means necessary. The mission of the YWCA is to eliminate racism and empower women. They fulfill this mission through four main program areas, including child care, teen outreach, domestic violence education and prevention, and women’s economic and career advancement. They help to provide safe places for women and girls, build strong women leaders, and advocate for women's rights and civil rights in Congress. Whether it's to improve your career, or to leave a domestically violent relationship, the
YWCA of Greater Cleveland is here to help you.
Contact Information:
YWCA Greater Cleveland
4019 Prospect Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44103
Email: info@ywcaofcleveland.org
Phone: 216-881-6878
Website: www.ywca.orgThe Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. It is through the magic of an
out of this world wish that the Foundation gives a family hope, strength and joy to briefly alleviate the stresses of a serious medical condition.
Phone # (216) 241-3670;
Website: www.makeawishohio.orgMichigan NeuroSport is a team of physicians, researchers and medical personnel which specializes in the treatment and prevention of neurological sports injuries, as well as the management of primary neurological diseases in the athlete.
Website:
www.makeawishohio.orgSince its founding in 1854, the YMCA of Greater Cleveland has provided quality programs and services across an increasingly wide spectrum that encompasses fitness, education, civic service and community health and well-being. They help put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. They develop the total person- spirit, mind and body - through character development programs that build strong kids, strong families and strong communities. Caring, honesty, respect and responsibility are the foundational values of all YMCA programs and services. Across the nation, YMCAs are committed to helping children and youth deepen positive values, families build stronger bonds, spend time together and become more engaged with their communities, and individuals strengthen their spiritual, mental and physical well-being. At every stage of life, YMCAs are there to help children, families and individuals reach their full potential.
Phone:
(216) 263-6836
Website: www.clevelandymca.org LifeBanc saves and heals lives through organ, eye and tissue donation so that no one will die waiting for a life-saving transplant. They provide community and professional education to people of all ages about the need for and benefits of donation and respect and support those individuals and families whose generosity and compassion make it possible to improve and save the lives of others.
Phone #
(216)752-5433
Website: www.LifeBanc.org