Starting in October, Global Cleveland, in partnership with the office of Mayor Frank Jackson, Cleveland City Council and the City of Cleveland’s Community Relations Board is convening a series of community conversations on “What It Means to Be a Welcoming City.”
The “Global Cleveland and You” community conversations will provide an opportunity for Cleveland residents to discuss the growth of the city’s immigrant and refugee populations and their impact on community life. The goal is to provide recommendations to the City and Global Cleveland that become the basis for a community-wide welcoming plan that fosters diversity, inclusion and opportunity for all residents.
Like many older cities, the 2010 Census created a wake-up call for the City of Cleveland. For the first time since 1900, Cleveland’s population dipped below 400,000 residents. This decline, coupled with a rapidly aging population, is causing problems for employers who are trying to fill the 50,000 – 60,000 open jobs in Northeast Ohio as well as the City of Cleveland which relies on tax dollars to fund community services.
A number of cities around the country that are facing similar problems have developed attraction strategies to encourage the migration of immigrants, refugees and other newcomers. But no matter how good the strategy, newcomers are not attracted to or stay in places where they are not welcome.
To increase the population and economic strength of the City and our region, the City of Cleveland and Global Cleveland are conducting Community Conversations now, in advance of the 2020 Census, to begin the process of creating a more welcoming and inclusive community for everyone where all residents can live, work and thrive.
Global Cleveland president Joy Roller believes that, “creating a welcoming place of opportunity for all” is essential to helping Global Cleveland achieve its mission. According to Joy, “As the region’s primary umbrella organization responsible for increasing population by attracting newcomers, it is not enough to attract new residents and connect them to jobs. We also need to work together to dispel old stereotypes, fears and misconceptions about newcomers, especially people who appear to be different from us.” These community conversations are the first step in a process.
Global Cleveland encourages all Cleveland residents to attend one of the five remaining Town Hall meetings, listed below, which will held during the month of October in locations across the city. Prepare to be informed, inspired, and transformed.
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
St. Ignatius of Antioch Church
10205 Lorain Avenue
Tuesday October 14, 2014
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Holy Name Church
8328 Broadway Avenue
Tuesday October 21, 2014
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Lutheran Hospital, The Castele Learning Center
1730 West 25th Street
Thursday October 23, 2014
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
St. Mary’s Church
15519 Holmes Avenue
Wednesday October 29, 2014
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
University Circle Methodist Church
191 East 107th Street
