University Settlement is a social service nonprofit provider in the Slavic Village neighborhood in Cleveland, Ohio, where a majority of the residents are working poor and elderly, with over 30% of the population at or below the poverty level with a focus on fundamental human needs. University Settlement primary programs focus on protecting and educating children, advancing literacy and job readiness, providing nutritious meals and food pantry, strengthening families and serving the elderly.
The NMTC project financed the new headquarters of University Settlement and will allow the organization to increase services to families, children and people in need, increasing the annual individuals served to 12,984 clients served annually (an increase of 20%). The project will also be ADA accessible with a trauma-response design and University Settlement is in the process of becoming an accredited trauma responsive care center once the Sanctuary Institute process is complete.
The Youth Services Programs include a variety of in-school and out-of school prevention programming including Smart Y’s After School Program and Summer Camp, which are both designed to increase student’s academic performance and keep them on the path to graduation.
The Senior Program serves adults that are over 60 years of age and individuals that are 18-59 and have a disability and offers three distinct services: 1) congregate meals that support a nutritious and balanced diet; 2) transportation to and from the project as well as field trips and shopping and 3) activities that address social physical, emotional, intellectual, social, spiritual and occupational wellness.
The Community Based Program assist families involved with the Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services who are in need of resources, advocacy and support and offers support groups for relative, foster and adoptive caregivers, hosts reunification visits for relative or biological family members as well as offering youth aging out of foster programs. University Settlement has also partnered with Workforce Development and AmeriCorps and Tri-C Community College who will operate programming in the new headquarters. The project also includes a new choice model food pantry.