Civic Engagement Archives

Lawyers, dams, money: The Shaker Lakes saga’s next chapter

By Grant Segall ● Government ● February 17, 2026

Shaker Heights and Cleveland Heights have jointly hired a lawyer to consider options and responsibilities for Lower Lake’s dam. Meanwhile, the new Shaker Lakes Conservancy is posting signs and circulating petitions to preserve Lower Lake and bring back the former Horseshoe (also called Upper) Lake.

Latest in Civic Engagement

An ultramarathon helped a Cleveland school get a new gym

By Zachary Lewis ● Communities ● February 13, 2026

Larry Orwin ran 135 miles through California’s Death Valley to raise money for Breakthrough Schools’ new gym.

Lakewood High School students organize walkout to protest ICE [photos]

By Sharyn Arai ● Civic Engagement ● February 12, 2026

Hundreds of students marched along Hilliard Boulevard and Bunts Road on Thursday.

Vigil outside of Cleveland’s Louis Stokes VA honors life, service of Alex Pretti

By Anna Maria Hamm ● Social Equity ● February 2, 2026

On Sunday night, community members, labor leaders, veterans and elected officials gathered outside the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center to honor the life of Alex Pretti, a longtime VA employee whose career was defined by service to others.

College Club West celebrating 100 years of supporting Northeast Ohio women

By Susan Eyerman ● Education ● January 29, 2026

College Club West (CCW) was founded in 1926 (as Lakewood College Club) to provide opportunities for college-educated women and scholarships for women seeking collegiate education. The club plans to celebrate its 100-year-anniversary in high style on April 24.

Cleveland activist organizations call for general strike at anti-ICE protest [photos]

By Madalyn Norman ● Public Safety ● January 28, 2026

Despite sub-zero wind chills, hundreds of protesters gathered downtown to protest ICE.

My Grow Connect wants Clevelanders to reconnect with the land

By Christopher Johnston ● Sustainability ● January 22, 2026

A Cleveland-based, BIPOC-owned civic and social organization focused on community engagement and urban agriculture, MGC’s mission is to support the development of sustainable communities through creative relationship building and mindful resource connections.