Ohio City has an enormous asset in its 100 nonprofit and community organizations, with missions ranging from education to social service to healthcare to the arts.  Combined, they employ 3000 individuals and have a collective budget totaling several hundred million dollars.  It is through the Ohio City Dialogue, which includes all of our community organizations, that we can create a healthier, more vibrant, and sustainable community through agglomeration and collaboration.  The goal is to maximize the impact, efficiency, and innovations of the services provided, build a stronger community, and increase understanding and acceptance of the nonprofit sector both internally and externally. 

This initiative was first the vision of Councilman Joe Cimperman, but has now become an initiative of Ohio City Inc.  Over the past few years, a steering committee made up of several leaders in the community has helped to develop and shape this initiative.  The nonprofit community in Ohio City has identified several opportunities for collaboration, including resource leveraging, developing a comprehensive housing framework for the neighborhood, and promoting activities to increase community awareness. 

Natalie Leek-Nelson, CEO and President of Providence House, leads the Resource Leveraging Workgroup, which has made significant progress over the past year.  The workgroup has engaged two local companies for the most in demand products and services requested by Ohio City nonprofits.  Sourcing Office, a local company that helps governments, businesses, and nonprofits obtain competitive rates for goods and services is now coordinating group purchasing of office supplies, electricity, janitorial, and sanitation supplies for enrolled Ohio City Nonprofit organizations.  And OneLink, a local technology company with a nonprofit focus, has been selected to offer nonprofits in Ohio City quality information technology services and products at affordable group purchasing rates. “We are thrilled with the quality and commitment of the vendors that we were able to engage to support Ohio City’s nonprofits,” said Natalie Leek-Nelson, “and we are confident that many more of our nonprofit neighbors will join us and benefit from the current and future group purchasing opportunities we have planned as word spreads about the tremendous value and convenience that participants are seeing.”

Reverend Allen Harris at Franklin Circle Christian Church leads the Housing Workgroup.  This past year, the group collaborated with the Resident Vacant Housing Task Force to develop a comprehensive strategy for housing inventory in Ohio City.  The group will evaluate and strategize based off this work to create a resource directory and increase neighborhood support.  Other upcoming priorities include increasing accessibility to tenant and landlord resources as well as promoting Ohio City housing opportunities to our nonprofit employees. 

Anita Cook, Executive Director at West Side Catholic Center, has recently become the leader of the Community Awareness Workgroup.  Last spring, this group facilitated a successful Ohio City Dialogue Service Day that involved over 500 volunteers in five different services sites in our community.  Anita will lead this group in developing goals for the upcoming year that address shared concerns and will help build the sense of community in Ohio City.

Additionally, the Ohio City Dialogue Steering Committee has organized efforts to bring together the human service providers in the neighborhood.  While often addressing similar concerns, these agencies were not always familiar with the services each other provides.  Initially a group of 8 organizations facilitated by Cleveland Neighborhood Development Coalition came together to share best practices and address common concerns.  They have decided to continue meeting on a monthly basis and invite other human service agencies in Ohio City to join them.  These organizations have found value in coming together and look forward to strengthening the services provided in the neighborhood through these monthly conversations. 

 Mayor Frank Jackson will host the Ohio City Dialogue Annual Meeting on March 22nd in the City Hall Rotunda.  At the meeting, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with other nonprofit and community leaders. There will also be updates from the resource leveraging, housing, and community awareness workgroups as well as a presentation from our newly formed human services dialogue group.  The Ohio City Dialogue has gained a lot of momentum over the past year and will continue to promote collaboration within the nonprofit sector and strengthen our sense of community in Ohio City.