Cleveland nonprofit expands support for low-income families with new TANF grant

It’s Not a Moment, It’s a Movement (INAMIAM), a nonprofit organization dedicated to community empowerment, has recently secured a significant development in its ongoing mission. The organization has obtained a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) grant from the Governor’s Office for Faith-Based Initiatives, marking a crucial expansion in support for low-income families across Cleveland, Akron, and neighboring areas.

This grant underscores INAMIAM’s dedication to enhancing the well-being of individuals facing economic hardships. With this support, INAMIAM has been able to launch a variety of programs specifically designed to meet the unique needs of the community. These initiatives are geared towards stabilizing families and restoring hope by addressing immediate needs and broader issues families face daily. 

“You cannot ask someone to be great without first making sure they are not hungry or in danger,” reflects the organization’s foundational belief.

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Thanks to the TANF grant, INAMIAM has launched several tailored programs. These include job training programs (Drone Navigation Certification & State-Tested Nurse Aid [STNA] Certification), housing assistance for expectant mothers, community conversations on parenting, and The Cobra Den after-school programming, which is held at the City of God, located at 742 East 152nd Street in Cleveland on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 pm to 6 pm.

With the current funding cycle ending in June 2024, INAMIAM is committed to demonstrating its impact to secure further support. Pastor Kyle Earley, Founder of INAMIAM, reflects on this opportunity, underscoring the impact that such initiatives can have on the well-being and prosperity of the community.

“This TANF grant is an investment in our community’s future and the generations to come,” Earley said.

Achievements and community impact

To date, the TANF grant has enabled INAMIAM to achieve significant milestones:

• Provided housing assistance to more than eight expecting mothers, with the goal of reaching 15 by June.
• Partnered with eight landlords to prevent evictions, thus stabilizing homes for numerous families.
• Conducted STNA training for 15 individuals, four of whom are now state-certified.
• Offered drone navigation training to nine individuals, with more than ten expected to be certified by June.
• Delivered comprehensive support including after-school care, groceries, gas cards and financial assistance impacting more than 45 individuals.
• Offered Mental Health Services to several families including counseling, therapy and behavioral health needs as wrap-around services.

One standout story for INAMIAM is that of E. Adams, the first graduate of the STNA program, who has not only started her new career but is also receiving housing support as she transitions into this new phase of life.

In addition to direct assistance programs funded by the TANF grant, INAMIAM operates Mentally Mangled, a branch dedicated to mental health resources. Mentally Mangled conducts mental health tours for faith-based leaders throughout the city and is preparing for the third annual Mentally Mangled Mental Health Conference on May 22, which is free to attend. This event provides a critical opportunity for community leaders and members to engage with mental health experts. More information is available on the Mentally Mangled website.

If you are interested in attending the Mentally Mangled Mental Health Conference, you can register here.

INAMIAM’s legacy of service dates back to its inception in 2018. Since then, the organization has been at the forefront of addressing diverse community needs. From youth empowerment and support initiatives (through YEP and the Activist Academy), faith-based resources and support through The Faith Movement, to mental health support services (Mentally Mangled); the organization has spearheaded advocacy, outreach and support efforts. 

Through leadership, training, and culturally appropriate services, INAMIAM endeavors to change lives one family at a time by giving them support to improve their quality of life. INAMIAM is invested in ensuring that they are a pillar in the community by helping and since Help is a blessing they aim to be a blessing by offering resources, sharing connections, collaborating, providing programming and loving on the community they serve.

The voices of those involved paint a vivid picture of the initiative’s reach. Angel Jacobs, INAMIAM’s Director of Operations, shares, “Helping our community improve the quality of their lives is by far the greatest internal reward in working for the organization. Our programs provide support, assistance, access, an improved mindset, and financial lift to help families move from surviving to thriving.  That is what HOPE looks like and I am honored to be a part of this journey of hope and community building.”

Sharonda Mason, a case manager for INAMIAM, expresses, “As a TANF case manager, I am able to pour back into my community with a population that needs help the most. It’s empowering to see how grateful people are to receive any help we can provide. When you can see a weight lifted off their shoulders, it brings me joy. Community building is life and I’m about that life!” 

Erica Campbell, another case manager, adds, “Being a case manager for the TANF grant is a lot of work but it is definitely rewarding. Being able to assist families and make a difference in their lives is an indescribable feeling. It doesn’t just stop at TANF; we assist these families in other aspects of their lives to help them stabilize daily life. I didn’t choose TANF, TANF chose me and I am forever grateful!” Jacobs further states, “I could not be prouder of our TEAM for being vessels of the highest regard and helping our community believe in themselves again!”

INAMIAM expresses heartfelt gratitude for the invaluable support of the TANF grant. The organization remains unwavering in its dedication to serving the community’s needs. Through collaborative endeavors, INAMIAM will continue its mission of effecting positive change and fostering a brighter, more inclusive future for all.

As INAMIAM prepares to apply for renewed funding this summer, the organization continues to invite the community to engage through volunteering, donations, and advocacy. This collective effort not only drives forward INAMIAM’s mission but also fosters a stronger, more resilient community.

If you would like to donate to INAMIAM’s mission, visit itsamovementohio.org or donate directly via PayPal. For further information, or inquiries about INAMIAM programs and initiatives, or to stay up to date on upcoming programs and events, INAMIAM can be contacted via email at support@itsamovementohio.org, Instagram @itsamovementohio, or visit the website at itsamovementohio.org.