Our Impact
"Having an ally that works hard to ensure intersectional inclusivity in all facets of personal and professional growth and opportunity is the best, welcoming feeling.
Thankfully, with there being a large community of Arab, and particularly Palestinian individuals in the city, with robust immigrant-owned businesses, finding a home with the mosques in the community coupled with Global Cleveland ensuring the international community remains connected has helped me build a community that is more like family here."
— Melaak Rashid
Melaak Rashid, Development and Community Outreach Director for Smart Development, Inc., reflects on her Palestinian heritage, and the special impact Global Cleveland has had on herself and her family.
I am originally from Deir Debwan, a village in the West Bank of Palestine. Global Cleveland is like a friend with open arms – always there to help and do good by others. Words I choose to describe Global Cleveland would be Inclusive, Supportive, Hard-Working, Dedicated, Passionate, Mission-Driven, Caring, Helpful, and Dedicated. Through Global Cleveland, increased professional and network opportunities have truly been the best opportunities one can have. For me, Global Cleveland’s overall partnerships and advocacy for immigrants and limited-English speaking communities have helped me and my family the most. Through their advocacy for international communities and individuals, that alone has made me feel welcomed to have an ally that promotes and supports, knowing that they themselves are a part of the diverse fabric of this city. Having an ally that works hard to ensure intersectional inclusivity in all facets of personal and professional growth and opportunity is the best, welcoming feeling. Thankfully, with there being a large community of Arab, and particularly Palestinian individuals in the city, with robust immigrant-owned businesses, finding a home with the mosques in the community coupled with Global Cleveland ensuring the international community remains connected has helped me build a community that is more like family here. One special memory that I have is being honored as a “Volunteer of the Year” along with the other amazing volunteers who worked hard with Global Cleveland’s direct support to ensure limited-English speaking individuals/English as a learning language individuals were getting information in their native tongue to ensure their safety and security through the pandemic. To be asked to support their language access program was an honor and special memory I will forever hold. In 10 years, Global Cleveland will continue to be the leading welcoming center for newcomers and a trusted partner for immigrants and refugees to Cleveland with even more robust services, ensuring we continue to thrive and feel a part of the community. I even see them branching out of just Cleveland, being a force across the state and nation. I see myself as a person who will be able to help other immigrants and newcomers navigate as they learn and grow in their new community, whether it be here in Cleveland or in another city. The level of confidence, support, and resources Global Cleveland have given and shown me that exists will enable me to be a leader to my own community to also help them thrive, too.
