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2015-2016 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITYDream Big,Greater Cleveland

Dear Friends: Our city has much to celebrate. Greater Cleveland is in the spotlight with conventions, events and attractions bringing visitors from across the United States and around the globe. One of our beloved sports teams, the Cavaliers, brought the city its first championship in more than 50 years. Our city is world-class. But unfortunately, hundreds of thousands of people are not a part of this momentum. We must move out of the un-coveted spot of being one of the poorest cities per capita in the nation. There are more than 250,000 Greater Clevelanders living in poverty, and the number is rising in our city. More than half are children. Moving out of poverty happens one person, one family at a time. In order for it to happen in earnest, we all have to do our part. The Council for Economic Opportunities was founded by the 1964 Economic Opportunity Act as part of the War on Poverty. We are the largest Community Action Agency and the largest Head Start in Ohio. To state it more simply, Council employees work each and every day to empower those living in poverty to live better lives. As we begin our second half-century working with residents in Greater Cleveland, the Council for Economic Opportunities is committed to rethinking, improving and fine-tuning its approach to more effectively serve our community. We value your continued support.To learn more about the Council and how you can help, please visit the Spread the Word page on our website: www.ceogc.org/about-ceogc/spread-the-word.Thank you in advance,REVEREND DR. CHARLES P. LUCAS Chairman, Board of Directors

Dear Friends: An important part of the Council for Economic Opportunities’ success is employing women and men who are seasoned, empathetic, hard-working and understand the plight of others. In fact, many of our employees have overcome challenging circumstances through education and perseverance to become the compassionate and diligent professionals they are today. We are young and old and represent our community’s diversity and promise. We are all here to help our neighbors who go to work everyday, but are often struggling to make ends meet. This report features just a few of our dedicated staff members, the work they do to help those in need in our community, and the dream they have for them.To assist us in increasing awareness in our broader Cleveland community, the Council launched a new website earlier this year that features stories about the residents we serve, our employees that make it happen and important news about the evolution of the Council for Economic Opportunities. It’s vital to notice our neighbors who need help, to reach out and encourage them to dream and to help them take the first step towards a better future. The Council for Economic Opportunities has created spaces where our clients are encouraged to come as they are, where our people are skilled in helping them to see beyond their current situation, and helping them to make measurable progress toward a better life.You can help, too.• Volunteer to help enroll families in Council programs and in Head Start• Download our Council awareness kit from ceogc.org and distribute information at various places, such as your church, library and local coffee shops • Volunteer to share your story at a job and career event• Donate to our Annual Fund After 20 years in the Halle Building, the Council is consolidating its downtown offices into one space at 1801 Superior Avenue to best serve our customers. The consolidation will be complete in January 2017. The best is yet to come!Thank you for your continued support,DR. JACKLYN A. CHISHOLM President and CEO

JESSICA BADEREarly Head Start Homebase TeacherGraduated from John Carroll University with a B.A. in Early Childhood Education There’s so much for a mother-to-be to think about, but when you are concerned about just getting through the day, which bus to take to get to your new job and which bill must be paid first, planning for the future is extremely difficult. When a mother walks through the door at a neighborhood center, she is greeted by a family development specialist. Together for one hour, they devote time to planning for her baby. Each mother-to-be receives: a recommendation to take prenatal vitamins; counseling to determine where she is in life, including assistance with any immediate needs; help navigating health insurance, hospitals and doctors; reminders about the importance of doctor’s appointments; information about upcoming wellness workshops and sharing circles; breast-feeding coaching; and information about Early Head Start enrollment, which can begin when the new baby is six weeks old.For Mothers-To-BeA PLACE TO PLAN FOR YOUR BABYWELLNESS COUNSELING, EARLY HEAD START AND WORKSHOPS“My dreamfor all of my families is to overcome obstacles with grace and determination to guide them,and continueto inspire others as they inspire me each day.” - Jessica

For ParentsA PLACE TO PREPARE FOR THEIR MOST IMPORTANT ROLEENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES, MEETING WITH FAMILY DEVELOPMENT SPECIALISTS STEVEN RHODESHead of the Council’s Fatherhood InitiativeGraduated from Ursuline College with a B.A. in Early Childhood Education and a Masters degree from Cleveland State University in Education“My dream is for the families I work with to set high standards for themselves and their children, knowing that with faith, education, hard work and discipline they can achieve anything they put their minds to.” - StevenBeing a parent is the most important role in life. How we treat a child matters greatly and helps to shape the kind of adult that child will become. Each Council touchpoint with a parent reinforces child development and engagement activities and, most important of all, provides support for being a loving parent.Each parent receives: their own family development specialist; personal appointments; assessment to address immediate needs; assistance with initial goal planning; referrals to attend Council workshops and events; an invitation to join a parent committee to guide progress at the center where their child is enrolled; information about the Policy Council where larger program-related decisions are made; and a family resource workbook.

THELMA BIZZELLMasters Degree in Education (Curriculum Instruction) from Cleveland State University and a Nonprofit Certificate in Urban Studies from Cleveland StateSite Administrator for the Louis Stokes Head Start Center

As soon as a child walks through the door of a Head Start center, it’s like entering a new world–a world of fuzzy yellow caterpillars, hermit crabs, hula hoops and Pete the Cat–a world where Greater Cleveland’s toddlers have a place to come day after day and week after week to learn and grow. Each of our children receives: two nutritious meals and a healthy snack every day; a visit from a dental hygienist from Case Western Reserve Dental School; a wellness checkup from Cleveland Clinic or University Hospitals; art projects; story time; and new friendships. Their learning goes well beyond the ABCs and 1-2-3s. They gain a new skip in their step and a twinkle in their eye. Beginning this fall, the Greater Cleveland Foodbank’s School Market will take place at our Carl B. Stokes Head Start center. Our children will bring home a pack of healthy food to share with their families.For Greater Cleveland’s ChildrenA PLACE TO LEARN AND GROW A HEAD START “My dream is for thousands of our community’s children to have compassionate mentors to guide them.” - Thelma

OUR HEAD START PROGRAM IS PREPARING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE.All of our Head Start centers are rated high-quality (4 and 5 stars) by the State of Ohio’s Step Up to Quality initiative and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s PRE4CLE initiative.Head Start features the HighScope curriculum in all of its classrooms. This learning-through-play model engages young minds as they explore letters and numbers, colors and shapes and the world around them. The active learning experiences taught in the Head Start classrooms include developmentally appropriate activities to help children achieve their full potential. Children’s early education is not only about reading and writing, but social development and working with their classmates, teachers and parents. Learning positive social behavior at a young age will help the students adjust as they transition to kindergarten, elementary school and beyond.Nearly 1,000 children moved on to Kindergarten in the 2015-16 school year. Best wishes to our Head Start graduates!

“My dream is for all people to feel encouraged and welcome. I wantthe families and children we serve to use all the free resources, training and education that is available here and elsewherein our Cleveland community.” - JessicaJESSICA MALLETTFamily Development SpecialistCurrently attending Lakeland Community College toward earning her B.S. in Human ServicesMany of the people who visit our website, call our main office or stop into a neighborhood center are working hard at just getting through the day. For them, taking the first step to living a better life can seem uncertain and daunting.Our Job Development Specialists meet one-on-one with men and women who may feel stuck or who have lost their ability to imagine a better life. We give pep talks, recommend workshops and share job boards. Each student receives: a plan for personal and professional development with assistance for any barriers to success; recommendations for skills-building workshops; and handouts and tools for goal-setting. They also receive certificates of completion and invitations to job fairs.For Students, Skills Builders & Job SeekersA PLACE TO PLAN FOR FUTURE CAREERS AND AIM HIGH

BABY AND MOMMY WELLNESS Pregnancy is an exciting time and a vitally important time in a developing baby’s life; every moment counts. Our wellness workshops address questions about pregnancy, the childbirth experience and the never-ending uncertainties of parenting. For the mother-to-be, we will also celebrate her impending parenthood!Personal and Family Development WorkshopsLIFE SKILLS There are things we have to do in life that come naturally and easily, but there are other tasks that must be learned. Chances are, we learned many of them in school or during day-to-day living, but there are others that we haven’t taken the time to discover or master. These workshops teach participants about time management, anger management, self-esteem and the importance of nutrition and exercise.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Practicing self-control is vital in relationships and in our daily living. The Council’s licensed social workers have studied the Duluth Model Curriculum– a constantly evolving philosophy and practice that works to end violence in relationships. We are able to walk participants through this difficult topic and provide strategies to deal with anger in a non-violent way. This workshop will assist individuals in resolving conflicts to avoid self-defeating consequences. We realize that domestic violence affects both men and women and impacts the entire family. We are able to provide resources to treat all who are involved. Successful participants will receive a certificate at the conclusion of the workshop.ANGER MANAGEMENT Anger is a normal human emotion–but how do you deal with it? While some people handle anger well, others may need support to manage it. Our workshops follow the curriculum laid out in the book Anger Management for the Twenty-First Century. The workshops are run by our licensed social workers who teach participants how to effectively manage their anger. Participants actively engage with our social workers, monitor their own emotions, work on communication skills and learn how to respond instead of react. They are provided with classwork and homework assignments for continued growth. Successful participants will receive a certificate at the conclusion of the workshop.Personal and Family Development Workshops

80% are parentsAchieve higher education29% have completed one or two years of college or a technical schoolBecome an entrepreneur/business owner 40% wanted job placement assistancePrepare for a bright future for my children43% have earned a high school diploma or GEDBecome financially secure50% wanted to learn a new skillPut my kids through college70% have internet access at home90% are on FacebookOUR FINAL SURVEY QUESTION: “WHAT IS YOUR DREAM?”The top responses were:

Dr. Chisholm shows Head Start children the robe she wore to receive her doctorate degree.

$25,107,904$3,095,394$3,145,228$986,895$118,588$3,006,523■ Early Learning Education■ Energy Assistance■ Community Service■ Food Programs■ Management, General Fundraising■ Other2016 ExpendituresTotal: $35,460,532■ Grant and Contract Revenue■ Child Care Service Fees■ Other Income■ Amortized Rent■ In-Kind Contributions$33,290,199$536,656$93,134$54,243$1,441,5632016 RevenueTotal: $35,415,795

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Head Start $25,534,965 Non-Federal Head Start 6,383,741 Update the Plate 2,000Commission on Minority Health Minority Health Month 15-23 2,410 Minority Health Month 16-54 3,000Fuel Fund Dollar Fuel Fund II 46,300 Dollar Fuel Fund III 46,300 Dollar Fuel Fund IV 46,300Early Childhood Early Childhood Education - II 128,000 Early Childhood Education - III 128,000USDA USDA-USDA0915 981,719 USDA-USDA0916 980,000■ Food Programs■ Management, General Fundraising■ OtherOhio Department of Development HEAP Administrative Program 15-HA-115 $ 1,332,500 16-HA-115 1,337,635HEAP Energy Assistance Program 15-HE-215 2,500,000 16-HE-215 2,150,000HEAP Summer Cooling 15-HC-215 366,618Community Services Block Grant CSBG 1415-16 6,477,313 CSBG 1617-16 6,532,242Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association Step Up To Quality V 60,300 Step Up To Quality VI 79,150Cuyahoga County Universal Pre-Kindergarten 507,653Cleveland Metropolitan School District PRE4CLE 60,000

Achievement Centers for ChildrenApplewood CentersAsian Services in Action, Inc.A. Z. Mahsua and CompanyBeech BrookBreakthrough SchoolsCAPLAWCase Western Reserve University Francis Payne Bolton School of Nursing Case Western Reserve University School of Dental MedicineThe Centers for Families and ChildrenCitizen’s CoalitionCity of ClevelandCity of Cleveland Police DepartmentCleveland City CouncilCleveland Clinic Foundation Cleveland/Cuyahoga County Ohio Means JobsCleveland Department of Public Health Cleveland Job CorpsCleveland Metropolitan School DistrictCleveland Metropolitan Schools PRE4CLECleveland Municipal CourtCleveland Museum of Natural HistoryCleveland Public Library SystemCleveland Public PowerCleveland State UniversityCommunity Action PartnershipCommunity Housing SolutionsConsumer Protection AssociationCuyahoga Community CollegeCuyahoga County Office of the ExecutiveCuyahoga County CouncilCuyahoga County Board of Developmental DisabilitiesCuyahoga County Board of HealthCuyahoga County Department of Children and Family ServicesCuyahoga County Library SystemCuyahoga County Office of ReentryCuyahoga County Veterans Service CommissionCuyahoga Energy CoalitionCuyahoga Jobs and Family Services Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Daily Dose of ReadingDave’s SupermarketsDigital CDiscount Drug MartDonna Smallwood Senior CenterDress for SuccessCommunity PartnersOFFICERS CHAIRMAN Reverend Dr. Charles P. Lucas VICE CHAIRMAN Robert Black TREASURER Amos Z. Mahsua SECRETARY Dr. Cecelia Williams DIRECTORS Arlene AndersonCassandra F. Brown-CollierShadonna GriffinKathryn M. HallDelois LongMichael MooreMarc NathansonYvonne Nichols-SimsMonique OlowuHonorable Charles PattonBessie VrettosBoard of Directors

East Cleveland Schools Pre-Kindergarten ProgramEuclid City Schools Pre-Kindergarten ProgramFamily and Children First Council The Free ClinicFriendly Inn SettlementGarfield City Schools Pre-Kindergarten ProgramGesher–Cleveland Benefit and Resource CenterGoodwillGreat Lakes Science CenterGreater Cleveland Food BankGreater Cleveland Regional Transit AuthorityHelp Me GrowHigh ScopeHilton HotelsHunger Network of Greater ClevelandIdeastreamInvest in ChildrenJobs and Family Services Veteran’s ServicesLakewood Community Services Center The Literacy CooperativeManufacturers Advocacy Growth Network (MAGNET)May Dugan Center The MetroHealth SystemMoms FirstMusic SettlementNational Community Action FoundationNational Head Start AssociationNatural History MuseumNEO Skills Corps (Americorps Volunteers) NorthEast Ohio Neighborhood Health Services, Inc. (NEON)Ohio Association of Community Action AgenciesOhio Head Start AssociationOhio Partners for Affordable Energy Playhouse SquarePNC Bank–Grow Up Great Initiative Radio One Cleveland WZAK 93.1 and WENZ 107.9Rainey InstituteRecovery ResourcesThe Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and MuseumSt. James A.M.E. ChurchState Representative Janine BoydState Representative Stephanie HowseState Senator Sandra WilliamsShaker Lakes Nature CenterShaw High School Early Childhood ProgramSlavic Village Development CorporationSpanish American CommitteeStarting Point Stella Maris Talent NEO c/o Towards EmploymentTurning PointU.S. Representative Marcia FudgeU.S. Representative David JoyceU.S. Representative Marcy KapturU.S. Senator Rob PortmanU.S. Senator Sherrod BrownUnion Miles Development Corporation Universal Prekindergarten Cuyahoga County University Hospitals Case Medical CenterUniversity SettlementUrban League Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Workforce Investment Board Youth Council Community Partners

UNION MILESHEAD START CENTERSNEIGHBORHOOD OPPORTUNITY CENTERSMAY DUGAN CENTERCOMMUNITY SERVICESPARTNER ORGANIZATIONWe Invest In People...Nurture Success...Transform Lives The Council for Economic Opportunities in Greater Cleveland is a nonprofit organization and the designated Community Action Agency for Cuyahoga County that operates programs and services dedicated to transforming the lives of residents. The Council operates the largest Head Start program in Ohio and delivers early childhood education, personal and professional development programs and support services to residents of Cuyahoga County. Programs include Early Head Start (birth to three); Head Start (three to five); individual assessments for classes and coaching sessions on topics including parenting, anger management and life skills; job readiness, customer service training, and job placement. The Council also delivers the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). The Council has 14 high-quality Head Start centers and three Neighborhood Opportunity centers. 1801 Superior Avenue, Suite 400 Cleveland, Ohio 44114 216-696-9077visit ceogc.orgFOLLOW OUR EVOLVING STORY