Our Programs
University Settlement has many programs that are divided into four main categories: Community Programs, Family Programs, Youth Programs, and Senior Programs. All of these work hand-in-hand to address needs of individuals in the Slavic Village Neighborhood and to serve the residents in the best way possible.
Community Programs
HUNGER CENTER
Our Hunger Center program is comprised of a choice model food pantry, a community meal, and a monthly Mobile Pantry. Through the Food Pantry, neighbors can visit once a month to select 3-5 days’ worth of groceries such as pantry staples, fresh bread, fresh produce, and various perishable and non-perishable items. Every Tuesday evening, community residents can join us for a free, hot community meal. During the school year, youth in the neighborhood are provided with a bag of groceries every Friday through the Backpack Program. We also supply seniors in the area with an average of 30 meals a week and specially deliver it to them at the Alexia and Lourexis Apartments.
Hunger Center
Tuesday - Friday from 11:30 am - 2:00 pm
Community Meal
Every Tuesday at 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Mobile Pantry Fresh Produce
First Monday of the month from 11:00 am - 1:30 pm
Manager: Grace Wright
THE COMMUNITY WRAPAROUND INITIATIVE
University Settlement serves as the Lead Agency for Mound STEM and Fullerton Schools in the Community Wraparound Strategy. We provide two Site Coordinators that are stationed in each school and support the schools through the recruitment and coordination of community resources to meet the academic needs of students and social support their families.
Manager: Michael Copeland
AMERICORPS NEO SKILLS CORPS
NEO Skills Corps is a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and overseen through a partnership between University Settlement and The Literacy Cooperative. NEO Skill Corps is an AmeriCorps programs which partners with local nonprofits to provide financial literacy, adult literacy and workforce development to adults in Northeast Ohio. Members facilitate money management workshops addressing topics such as realistic goal setting, credit management and setting a budget based on personal income and expenses, digital literacy, customer service, manufacturing, culinary basics, health care preparation, employability skills and job searching. NEO Skills Corps sponsors two job fairs yearly to help participants obtain and maintain employment.
Apply to become a Member Apply to become a Host Site
Manager: Sandra Buckner
MAGIC JOHNSON COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT CENTER (MJCEC)
The Magic Johnson Community Empowerment Center (MJCEC) provides access to resources and programming that educate, empower and strengthen individuals though the innovative use of technology. The MJCEC regularly hosts classes aimed at helping community members of all ages to learn about the various uses of technology and find ways to use technology to improve their lives personally, academically and professionally. In addition to holding classes on-site, classes and tech support were provided at four local senior high-rise apartments so residents could learn how to better utilize technology in their everyday life.
Manager: Amanda Miller
Family Programs
FAMILY TO FAMILY
Our Family to Family Program assists families involved with the Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services who are in need of resources, advocacy, and support. The program offers support groups for relative, foster, and adoptive caregivers, hosts reunification visits for relative or biological family members, as well as offers services for youth aging out of foster care. Staff provide a family-friendly environment to all participants and encourage independence and personal growth. Additionally, the Family to Family Program manages University Settlement's Baby Box distribution which gives new baby starter kits that double as safe sleep spaces for infants to new or expecting parents.
Manager: Karla Trammell
Building strong families
Building Strong Families is one program that encompasses three different programs that come together to better serve families. These programs are Strengthening Families, the Fatherhood Initiative, and Transition-In-Place Housing program. University Settlement recognizes that families are made up of all types of individuals: sisters, mothers, fathers, aunts; grandparents, friends, neighbors, etc. Building Strong Families meets families where they are and addresses their unique challenges to find what is best for each individual family.
Manager: Gerald Ford
TRANSITION-IN-PLACE HOUSING
After placement in stable housing, families receive case management, home visits, and referrals to community programs and resources to ensure they maintain stable and permanent housing. Families are eligible only through referral from Cuyahoga County Office of Homeless Services Central Intake located at 1736 Superior Ave. in Cleveland.
STRENGTHENING FAMILIES
Our Strengthening Families program offers strengths-based case management, family-centered Family Education Sessions and hosts Parent Cafes to help families learn the skills necessary to advocate for their needs. Clients work with staff to identify their needs and set personal goals in 5 areas; healthcare, employment, legal issues, parenting, and education. Staff utilize wraparound support to provide clients with items such as bus passes, cleaning supplies, and rental assistance to ensure that clients can continue to attend the program, and that both parents and children remain safely housed.
FATHERHOOD INITIATIVE
Fatherhood Connections focuses on fathers at Willow, Mound, Fullerton and Warner Road Girl’s Academy. The program offers case management, support groups, parent education sessions, advocacy for fathers, and father-child activities and events such as the annual Father Daughter dance.
Youth Programs
SMARTY’S AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM
The SmartY’S (Smart, Young, Significant) Program is a critical out-of-school program that is designed to establish a community learning center to increase academic performance of participating youth in order to keep them on the path to graduation and a successful future. Youth receive daily homework help and tutoring in the core subjects of reading and math. Youth are also offered a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academics such as arts, music, science, technology, recreation, service learning projects, and drug and alcohol prevention activities.
SMARTY’S SUMMER CAMP
During the summer, the SmartY'S Program offer a summer camp for youth aged 5-12. The program is designed to provide children with access to high-quality, positive summer learning experiences designed to help them succeed in college, career, and life. In addition to educational curriculum which engages students in topics from poetry, to theater, to health and wellness, every week of camp ends with an exposure field trip to organizations across the state. This year campers had a chance to visit the Akron Zoo and the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) in Columbus, just to name a few.
LEADERS OF TOMORROW - WILLOW SCHOOL
A Grade Level Reading Specialist is placed in Willow Elementary School and supports teachers by focusing on reading intervention and building reading skills for grades K-3. Teachers recommend students who could use more attention in reading and our Grade Level Reading Specialist assists these children to ensure they don’t fall behind the reading curve and are ready to continue onto fourth grade.
Manager: Michael Copeland
Senior Program
ADULT WELLNESS PROGRAM
Our Adult Wellness Program serves adults that are 60 years or better and individuals that are 18-59 and have a disability. The program offers three distinct services including congregate meals, transportation and adult development. Activities are based on the Hettler Wellness Model that is comprised of programming including the categories of physical, emotional, intellectual, social, spiritual and occupational wellness. The congregate meal provides two and a half meals a day for participants (breakfast, lunch, and a snack) that is made up of a nutritious and balanced diet. The program also provides transportation for our clients to and from their homes to the agency and also to field trips or to the store to pick up groceries or prescriptions.
Manager: Allison Woods
For additional community senior resources, please contact Patricia Gray
