CLEVELAND - The Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) was recently awarded a $200,000 State of Ohio grant to launch a comprehensive Learning Center program this fall. “Education is the great equalizer and we owe it to all children to ensure they have access to the best resources possible to enhance their chances for success,” said Jeffery K. Patterson, CMHA’s chief of staff and operations.

“This 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) grant will provide these children with the additional support needed to help them improve their work in the classroom,” added Patterson. The grant will enable CMHA to help resident K-12 students succeed personally and academically.

The Cleveland Municipal School District (CMSD) is playing a critical role in the development and support of the program. Educators will be directly involved in designing and implementing lesson planning and other curricula to ensure CMHA’s Learning Center integrates and supports district and state educational agendas - including improvement of standardized test scores. This involvement will be essential to the success of the program.

CMHA marshaled public and private relationships to pursue the CCLC grant. Siemens Building Technologies Inc. supported and coordinated the grant proposal effort through its Building Education initiative. To deliver a dynamic Learning Center program, CMHA and CMSD have teamed with a broad consortium of public and private entities including the City of Cleveland, Currere Inc., Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland, Bellaire Puritas Development Corp., St. Martin DePorres High School, National City Bank, Siemens, and several other public and private entities.

“It’s extremely gratifying to see how this outstanding public-private partnership has come together, cooperating to deliver the promise of a better future for our young residents,” said Patterson. “It’s of paramount importance that we all work to serve the best interests of every student in our system,” said CMSD board member Larry Davis. “A heavy burden to be sure - but one that grows lighter when the community and public and private institutions shoulder the load together. We have some ambitious goals, but I can’t think of a better way to achieve them.”

Siemens’ Building Education initiative has been active nationally, supporting similar efforts and fostering a range of programs aimed at developing the personal and professional potential of those in less privileged communities.

“Building Education allows us to reach out to the communities in which we live and work in a more substantive way,” said Mike Moats, Siemens’ Building Education program manager. “Our support in securing this initial grant is just one aspect of our overall and ongoing outreach to CMHA residents. We are looking forward to a long and meaningful relationship.” Siemens is a worldwide provider of energy and environmental solutions, building controls, fire safety, and security system solutions.

Publication date:08/27/2007