Program:
The Heights Observer Community Newspaper - heightsobserver.org
- Budget:
-
$124,000
- Category:
-
Community Development
- Population Served:
-
General Public/Unspecified
Program Description:
The Heights Observer in print and on the web at www.heightsobserver.org, facilitates access to local and neighborhood news and existing community resources; provides community partnership opportunities and the sharing of scarce resources; promotes volunteerism; hosts community discussions and forums.
Program Long-Term Success:
Launched in March, 2008
with a
mission of community advocacy, informing and involving citizens, and promoting
public discourse, this social enterprise is laying the groundwork for increased
citizen interaction and participation in local public life, while allowing
FutureHeights to become more self-supporting through the sale of advertising.
With over 250 published stories, and 200
active volunteers working on the paper, the Heights
Observer is fast becoming a model of citizen journalism and its impact on
civic life for other communities.
Program Short-Term Success:
We are
building strong local partnerships. John
Carroll University’s
FM radio station, WJCU, is collaborating with FutureHeights to produce weekly
local radio news. The League of Women
Voters-Heights Chapter has joined our team to contribute regular reporting of
local government issues and policy making. COSE and FutureHeights are working together to promote shopping locally
through the IBUYNEO project.
Over 9000 copies of the free printed paper are distributed locally each month.
Program Success Monitored by:
The Heights Observer Editorial Committee, comprised of five professional journalists, and residents, of Cleveland Heights, and the FutureHeights board of directors and Executive Director.
Program Success Examples:
A University Heights resident was moved to run for City Council in 2009 because of the paper's reporting of local issues.
A local businessman was presented a check for $5000 toward his fund-raising for the local food bank because the donor read about the food drive in the Heights Observer.
Over 125 citizens, young and old, have participated in the Heights Observer Citizen Journalism workshops, taught by local journalism professionals who donate their time to the cause.
Program:
HeightsShops-Citizen support of a strong local economy
- Budget:
-
$14,000
- Category:
-
Community Development
- Population Served:
-
General Public/Unspecified
Program Description:
HeightsShops works to strengthen the economic competitiveness of the
historic neighborhood commercial districts, promote stabilization of
neighborhoods and support local independent businesses through a "Shop
Local" campaign; technical assistance to the independent business community; and the annual Best of the Heights
Awards program.
Program Long-Term Success:
There is an increased awareness in Cleveland Heights of the benefits of shopping locally. The FutureHeights HeightsShops program, launched in 2003, was among the area's first groups to promote the economic strength of keeping dollars circulating in the community by spending them at a locally owned business.
Program Short-Term Success:
In 2009 the Best of the Heights Survey and Awards celebrated its 5th anniversary.
Program Success Monitored by:
FutureHeights HeightsShops committee, and the Executive Director of FutureHeights.
Program Success Examples:
Program:
Civic Engagement Activities
- Budget:
-
$12,000
- Category:
-
Community, Business & Industry
- Population Served:
-
General Public/Unspecified
Program Description:
FutureHeights hosts a number of local events each year to promote citizen participation in the betterment of their community.
Cleveland
Heights and University Heights, like similar older first-ring suburbs, stand
the greatest chance of survival as a desirable places to live only when
there is commitment from all facets of the community.
FutureHeights
recognizes its important role in maintaining a strong civic core, and
is committed to moving forward with its mission to create substantive
and cutting-edge citizen engagement activities.
This
programming is at the very heart of why the organization was founded
in 2000, and why its value as a community asset resonates with Cleveland Heights
and University Heights residents.
Program Long-Term Success:
For the past 10 years, beginning in 2000 with the Town Meeting to discuss Giant Eagle's
development plans in our historic Cedar-Fairmount neighborhood,
FutureHeights has worked to promote historic preservation principles, good
neighborhood planning, sustainability concepts, and citizen involvement in
working to keep the physical fabric of our community strong. We promote active participation in local issues, encourage voting, broker partnerships, and create tools to allow people to participate in a variety of ways in their community.
Program Short-Term Success:
FutureHeights hosts neighborhood walking tours, beautification projects, community planning activities and charrettes, voter's and candidate's forums, online discussion boards, community surveys, and national and local speakers.
Program Success Monitored by:
Program Success Examples: