YOUR INSTITUTE NEWS & UPDATES
SEPTEMBER 2020
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Action steps for social justice... |
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SENTENCINGPROJECT.ORG
The Sentencing Project works for a fair and effective U.S. criminal justice system by producing groundbreaking research to promote reforms in sentencing policy, address unjust racial disparities and practices, and to advocate for alternatives to incarceration.
As a result of its 34 years of research, publications, and advocacy, many people know that we are the world’s leader in incarceration; that racial disparities pervade the criminal justice system; that over six million Americans can’t vote because of felony convictions; and that thousands of women and children have lost food stamps and cash assistance as the result of convictions for drug offenses. Learn more at: https://www.sentencingproject.org/
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CLEVELAND VOTES
Cleveland VOTES is a nonpartisan democracy building and mobilization entity that aims to strengthen civic muscle and power to ensure we have a more informed, participatory, and cohesive community.
Equitable civic engagement and democracy-building can mobilize and build movements beyond our imagination. There are three primary action steps we can all take to move towards a more equitable and democratic community.
1) Complete the Census
2) Register to vote
3) Vote
Be active and encourage others to do the same! Learn more at
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COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
Discuss social justice issues with the Institute every week! Our Community Book Club convenes weekly on Zoom to sustain a meaningful dialogue on issues impacting our society. We began with The New Jim Crow book and are now nearing completion of The Color of Law.
We'll be announcing book #3 very soon! Stay tuned to NLI. We hope you will sign up for book #3.
These Community Book Club conversations are facilitated by GiGi Elder. NLI staff, board members and alumni are joined by a variety of community partners, stakeholders and residents for this valuable effort in advancing social justice. We'd love to have you join us!
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Neighborhood Leadership Institute develops grassroots leaders who help rebuild the bonds of community and improve the quality of life for neighborhood residents throughout Greater Cleveland.
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Election Day is Tuesday November 3, 2020
The Institute wants to do its part in mobilizing our community to participate in the 2020 Election. Just as in years past, we will always advocate for an engaged citizenry, and there is no better way than voting in an election for residents' voices to be heard.
In addition to the nation's presidency, many other important offices and issues will be determined on November 3rd. NLI wants to help inform our community on these issues and turn out voters. One important issue on the ballot is the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) 2020 School Levy. Citizens for Our Children’s Future, the citizens committee that leads campaigns for CMSD ballot issues, and NLI join to request the following of NLI leaders, alumni and friends:
Please engage leaders and members in your network about the school issue and enlist interested volunteers to spread support via texting, social media, (virtual) meet ups and yard signs. Most importantly, you can promote voting in this year's election. We need informed and engaged residents at the polls!
Interested in helping out? Or just want to learn more? Check out the links below. And please remember to vote!
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NLI FEATURE
NLC Class 37 Recruitment
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Neighborhood Leadership Cleveland is our flagship program for grassroots leadership development. Now in its 26th year, it takes place January through May, in partnership with the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University.
We’re currently recruiting for Class 37 and are proud to welcome both new and experienced leaders who want to gain confidence, learn skills, and use their voices to actively participate in effecting change. Participants will come away from the class with a deeper sense of their own purpose as leaders, a greater appreciation for the assets of their neighborhood, and a lifetime connection to the Institute’s network of more than 1,200 other grassroots leaders. Together, we share a common goal—to improve the quality of life for communities in Greater Cleveland through collective leadership and engagement.
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COMMUNITY FEATURE
Fill out the 2020 Census forms
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The 2020 Census is happening now! September marks the final month to complete your 2020 U.S. Census forms . You can respond online, by phone, or by mail. The 2020 Census will determine congressional representation, inform hundreds of billions in federal funding every year, and provide data that will impact communities for the next decade. Over the next decade, lawmakers, business owners, and many others will use 2020 Census data to make critical decisions. The results will show where communities need new schools, new clinics, new roads, and more services for families, older adults, and children.
The results will also inform how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding are allocated to more than 100 programs, including Medicaid, Head Start, block grants for community mental health services, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP.
Please fill out your 2020 Census form today! Do it for your community!
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JENICE CONTRERAS
A Class 19 graduate of Neighborhood Leadership Cleveland (NLC), Jenice Contreras currently serves as the Executive Director of the Northeast Ohio Hispanic Center for Economic Development. There, she is responsible for the NEO Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and numerous community development activities.
Jenice is a driving force around the neighborhood redevelopment efforts in Cleveland’s Clark-Fulton neighborhood, known as La Villa Hispana. Under Jenice’s leadership, the Center has ventured into the first real estate development of La Villa Hispana known as CentroVilla25 where she serves as Project Owner and a Co-developer.
She credits NLC for providing a strong foundation for leadership skills. Her participation with Class 19 provided a number a benefits that have endured throughout her career, including understanding the importance of community-focused programming, learning about all of the city's diverse neighborhoods, and establishing a solid professional network. Her drive to gain exposure to new people and places in the region is ongoing.
"NLC allowed me to perform my work intuitively. It taught me fundamental tools, terms and best practices for leadership and I have always leaned on this as I evolved throughout my career. Years later, I continue to work with NLI and my fellow NLC grads - they are the bread and butter of what makes our city work!"
Jenice earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Capital University and an Executive Master of Business Administration from The Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business. She serves on the Board for the Center for Community Solutions and is a member of the City of Cleveland’s Near West Design Review Committee. In 2017, Jenice completed a fellowship through the Business Alliance for Living Local Economies (BALLE) and also served as the Faculty Chair for the National League of Cities Equitable Economic Development Fellowship. She is a mother of two young adults (Karl & Kyle) and continues to ensure growth in economic and community development for Latinx in the City of Cleveland.
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NLI's Healthy Communities team has been busy. They partnered with many other community organizations to present a Drive-In Community Baby Shower on September 5th. 75 new and expecting moms attended.
The team also participated in a Diaper Drive last month. In response to an important and growing community need, they partnered with the Diaper Bank of Greater Cleveland to provide diapers, wipes and books to mothers and families in the community. The staff of Healthy Communities joined Nakeisha Wells, CEO of the Diaper Bank of Greater Cleveland, and her team along with almost 20 volunteers. This event ensure that approximately 200 registered families received the diapers and wipes they needed.
Read more about their efforts here and keep up with the Healthy Communities team on social media: |
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WE'RE HIRING!
The Program Coordinator, True2U position will assist with the day to day operations of the True2U Program and provide a broad range of administrative support for the True2U program, staff, and program participants. Click here for the job description.
We are also excited to announce that True2U will continue programming for the 9th Grade Extension Program in addition to the 10th Grade and 11th Grade CollegeBound Programs. All programs will be transitioned to a fully virtual format for the 2020-2021 school year. The 9th Grade Extension and True2U CollegeBound are both small group mentoring programs available to further help students learn about their interests, strengths, goals and build upon their leadership skills as they navigate through high school. We’re looking forward to a successful school year. Stay tuned for more information!
The inaugural virtual Summer Leadership Academy successfully concluded at the end of July with nearly 40 students receiving an official award of completion for a job well done! We are now in the third week serving a second cohort of students as they begin planning and executing a Service Learning Project that aims to meet a need in their community.
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We are working hard to increase the number of program participants, alumni, and community partners that are connecting with us electronically. Please contact any NLI staff member with new contact information and be sure to access NLI online using the social media links in the section below. |
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NLI is a leading community education organization in Cleveland, Ohio. |
We impact the city through our work in:
- Neighborhood Leadership
- True2U Mentoring
- Community Health
- Youth Engagement
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