The Land is powered by Community Journalists. Each year, we feature the work of Northeast Ohioans who attended and graduated from one of our Community Journalism education sessions. Some of the work in our “Best of 2024” series already featured our Community Journalists, but we’re highlighting more of their work below.
Art and connection breathe new life into Warehouse District’s vacant spaces
What happens when rugged downtown Cleveland catches the eye of real estate developer Dalad Group? The answer is a one-of-a-kind artistic makeover.
An abandoned building turned-upscale apartment complex stationed in the heart of the Warehouse District became the cultural phenomenon downtown Cleveland needed. After sitting empty for two decades, the deserted buildings were tackled by the Dalad Group, but only one would become the site of the Worthington Yards Apartments and its associated art initiative, YARDS Projects.
A partnership between YARDS Projects’ director Liz Maugans and Dalad Group president Neil Viny was just the ticket to make this happen.
Breathing life into loss, MetroHealth holds memorial service for families who have lost a child
When Mirit Balkan talks about grief, she leans back in her chair, sweeping up her long brown hair into a ponytail, away from her face like the room is too hot. The subject she is discussing is not easy, even for a hospital chaplain like her. Balkan works for the MetroHealth hospital system, where she helps patients and their loved ones process news of sickness and death regularly.
“What’s unique about MetroHealth,” Balkan explains, leaning forward this time. She crosses her arms against her thighs, determination in her eyes. “This is a county hospital and we won’t turn anyone away. We are not like the other hospitals. This hospital is for everyone, even if you cannot pay. If you are homeless and need help. If you are in jail and need more serious treatment. If you are in the foster system and get sick. If you are a refugee and don’t have money. If you are one of the thousands of working poor and cannot make ends meet, okay. You understand? This is where you come. We will take care of you. No questions asked.”
How ClevelandClassical.com brought attention to the city’s classical music scene
In September of 2023, ClevelandClassical.com celebrated its fifteenth anniversary as the local web journal of classical music in Cleveland.
It all began when Daniel Hathaway, who retired in 2008 as music director and organist at Trinity Cathedral Church in Cleveland’s Campus District, hit upon an idea for what to do next. As a musician and concert organizer himself, he had become frustrated that print media were largely ignoring classical music, a genre patronized by thousands of listeners in the region. He decided the time had come to start a one-stop source for classical music information online.
His frustrations were shared by his colleagues and peers throughout NE Ohio, many of whom felt, like Hathaway, that “unless you were one of the handful of major presenters or performing arts organizations, your chances of receiving advanced publicity – much less a critical accounting after the fact – were nil.”
Sedation clinic improves dental care for people with developmental disabilities in Cleveland, surrounding region
MetroHealth and the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Cuyahoga DD) have joined forces to bring a Dental Sedation Clinic to the community. This initiative addresses critical barriers to dental care for individuals with developmental disabilities, ensuring they receive the timely and compassionate care they need.
According to Dr. Richard Rowlett, director of Clinical Services at Cuyahoga DD, the partnership initially focused on improving care coordination. “Beginning in 2022, discussions between Dr. Gregory Heintschel, chair of the Department of Dental Medicine at MetroHealth, and Dr. Cirillo, former Chief Clinical Officer of Cuyahoga DD, led to the idea of developing a dedicated sedation clinic,” Dr. Rowlett explained.
Lead soil testing helps residents in East Cleveland, Cleveland
Coit Road Farmers Market hosted one of Food Strong’s Care-A-Van events for food and nutrition information on July 13. This event partnered with Soil SHOP, a United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) program, and Cleveland Lead Advocates for Safe Housing (CLASH). Free soil screenings for lead by Soil SHOP were available to residents who came with soil samples in tow, and information on how to reduce lead exposure for children and families was provided by CLASH.
The event featured several sources of literature and other resources to help families navigate lead safety and ways to effectively mitigate potential issues, as well as safety around air quality, pesticide use and steps to reduce exposure to harmful substances.
Impett Park to receive ‘state-of-the-art and inclusive’ playground, pavilion upgrade planned
By Sue Eyerman
The playground at a popular park on Cleveland’s West Side has closed for demolition and a much-anticipated renovation spurred by neighborhood volunteers.
Impett Park’s playground closed Aug. 27 for a project that will result “in a state-of-the-art and inclusive playground, designed by residents, that will set the new standard for City of Cleveland parks,” Councilman Charles Slife said in a recent message to residents.
The city has secured $750,000 for a new playground at Impett Park, according to Slife, who thanked residents who joined him in advocating “for one of Ward 17’s great parks.”
Lone Sailor Monument dedication connects Cleveland generations
As Americans, we sometimes feel separated from the armed forces that serve and protect us. Only 1.3 Million out of 335 million Americans are actively serving in the US Military. They are sworn to serve and protect US citizens at home and abroad. The US Navy is the military’s third largest branch, including the US Marines Corps. The Navy comprises 430 ships, 50 submarines, and despite its name- 2,623 aircraft. Considering the breadth and scope of Naval forces, it is no surprise that the US Navy is committed to encouraging the next generation through educational modules and legacy preservation.
The USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation was established in 2019 to foster a connection between the city of Cleveland and the flagship bearing the city’s name. The foundation is behind the new Lone Sailor Monument situated at the end of Voinovich Park, peering out at Lake Erie, with the lighthouse and breakers placid in the distance.
Ohio City Farm’s Roundstone Pavilion project aims to create year-round jobs for Cleveland newcomers
Lone Sailor Monument dedication connects Cleveland generationsBy Rachelle Miller
Ohio City Farm in partnership with Re:Source Cleveland, hopes to expand its farm-to-table impact with the addition of the Roundstone Pavilion.
Ohio City Farm is a community farm located in the Ohio City neighborhood along the Irishtown Bend. Established in 2011, the farm was developed as part of a broader initiative to promote urban agriculture and sustainability in the city. During Welcoming Week, on September 19th, civic leaders, business representatives, and community members gathered to celebrate this key milestone in Cleveland’s ongoing urban renewal. The farm is operated by Re:Source Cleveland and is currently staffed with refugees that have backgrounds in agriculture or farming in their countries of origin.
Julian Khan finds his role as a network builder in Cleveland’s Buckeye Neighborhood
Born and raised in Cleveland’s Buckeye neighborhood, an area filled with community advocates and organizations, Julian Khan was destined to be a network builder. Khan uses the information he learned from his undergraduate courses in English and the arts, 20 years working at the Cleveland Public Library, and mentorship he received working with community organizations, to bring residents and community members together to raise and resolve community issues.
Although Khan never envisioned himself working for the community in any capacity, he labels himself a “network builder” like Ohioans and authors John McKnight and Peter Block. A network builder is someone who leads the effort to identify, support and sustain natural networks in neighborhoods while challenging people to think in new ways and across lines of differences.
“I was born in Buckeye, raised in Buckeye, and my mother was a member of the Buckeye Women’s Association, which did a lot of community organizing from 1970 to about 1976,” Khan said. “I also did quite a bit of higher education in English and the arts and every course I studied, I use to this day.”
We're celebrating four years of amplifying resident voices from Cleveland's neighborhoods. Will you make a donation to keep our local journalism going?
