Metro West Community Development Organization

Community involvement: support grass roots groups and initiatives, connecting residents, stakeholders, youth and Community institutions, and improving neighborhood safety. - workforce recruiting: through the partnership with the cleveland neighborhood workforce initiative we have generated over 200 leads to program through doorknocking, tabling at events, attending meetings, and flyering. - neighbor to neighbor: neighbor to neighbor ambassadors door knock, flyer attend meetings, table at events to gather surveys from neighborhood residents on the status of digital connectivity in our neighborhoods. Since the beginning of the program in november, there have been over 1300 surveys started in the Community. - neighborhood marketing of local programs: we connect residents to information, programs and events that improve their quality of life. We tabled at more than 50 events, coordinated the delivery of over 25,000 pieces of literature directly to homes, and made over 6000 robo-calls to market upcoming events and programs - resident group support: we work with neighborhood block clubs to address the quality of life issues within their part of the Community. This year we grew active block clubs from 4 to 11 and worked with neighborhood groups to raise over 35,000 to support their efforts in the neighborhood. - greenspace: improve the condition of vacant lots and green spaces. Removed over 500,000 pounds of garbage and 5000 tires dumped in the neighborhood - key partners: digital navigator program, cleveland neighborhood workforce initiative, building hope in the city, one hope neo, cleveland police,

Economic Development: support local businesses by providing technical assistance, connecting to resources, assisting neighborhood infrastructure projects, and through commercial code enforcement - exterior improvement program: registered businesses can participate in this program. In which we can refund them up to 2,500.00 for any improvement they make to the exterior of their building. We were able to help 15 businesses through this program with signage and other exterior improvement needs. - micro-grant program (cnp): businesses can apply for up to 1,000. Grants can be bumped up to 5,000 depending on business needs. We were able to support 9 businesses within our service area, with a total of 11,500.00 dollars. - the face behind the place: marketing campaign in which we would interview owners of businesses that have been in the neighborhood for a while, and we would feature them on social media. This program was held during the summer. We were able to highlight 5 different businesses. "storefront renovation program (city): support to businesses that apply for the grant. We were able to support multiple businesses with the application process. - seasonal marketing campaigns: we highlight different businesses on our social media accounts throughout the year. Campaigns can be videos, or holiday posts. We were able to provide marketing support to over 60 businesses. - work local job fairs: held 7 job fairs in which we connected over 100 people to local employment opportunities, trainings, and workforce related resources. - partners we connect businesses to: jumpstart, score, hispanic business center, hfla ecdi, greater cleveland partnership.

Housing: improve the conditions and appearance of commercial and residential properties in our neighborhoods through property code enforcement, housing redevelopment, & strategic demolition. - work with public sector and nonprofit partners to acquire and rehabilitate vacant properties. - acquire and consolidate vacant land parcels for acquisition and redevelopment. - maintain a database of housing to track ownership records, tax, title, liens, transfers, foreclosures, environmental issues, zoning and other encumbrances. - field resident complaints and coordinate code issues and problem properties with councilpersons. "coordinate receivership cases pertaining to longstanding problem properties toward compliance and redevelopment. - provide technical assistance to developers in preparation for new construction proposals. - convene stakeholders and residents in public meetings pertaining to new Development proposals. - represent the mwcdo service area in landmarks commission, design review and planning commission hearings by providing input and technical assistance. - attend board of building standards and building review hearings to testify in opposition to request. - complete an annual vacancy survey, annual building condition and land use survey and annual housing report. - provide lead clearance exams for residential rental properties and offer full service lead risk assessment services. - provide sideyard application assistance for homeowners to acquire and beautify vacant lots. - provide technical assistance and referrals to residents to connect with city and nonprofit housing repair assistance. - attend local events pertaining to housing issues in the greater cleveland Community, staying abreast of trends and communicating with other field professionals, which is vital to a larger understanding of the conditions in the service area.

The mission of Metro West Community Development Organization is to revitalize our neighborhoods, strengthen collaboration, diversity, and redevelopment.