By Mark Silverberg
The Broadway-Slavic Village (BSV) neighborhood is a diverse community with many assets and challenges. BSV is challenged by very high housing foreclosures, HIV rates, poverty, drug addiction, and violent and property crimes. The combination of these hardships and crises has left a desolate feeling within a once-thriving community. In the face of these challenges, a group of inspired residents came together to create a place in the community to help secure the resources residents need to face their challenges. They believe the residents and community deserves a chance to thrive.
As background, BSV was ground zero during the 2006-2008 housing crisis, with 783 foreclosure filings in 2007 within the 44105 zip code (Realty Trac). Forty-three percent of the population of 40,000 is below the poverty level, and 11% are seniors over sixty-five. BSV has an extremely high rate of HIV infections which can be traced back to high rates of poverty and drug addiction. BSV ranks very high among Cleveland neighborhoods in both violent and property crimes.
The solution these residents came up with just opened a few weeks ago and is called the Southeast Cleveland Resource Center. Their team is made up of Program Director Troy Simmons, Drug and HIV Coordinator Chris Miller, Housing Specialist Meeka Compton, and Director Odetta Fields. The team is committed to listening to residents of Slavic Village and the surrounding communities, learning what their challenges are, and connecting them with resources that help address their everyday needs.
Their door is open for anyone to come through and get the resources they need. If they cannot provide the resources directly, they will walk residents through the steps to get the help they need by networking with other assets. The resource center also provides 24/7 access to police officers in the neighborhood so they can have a place to rest their feet, get a cup of coffee, heat up lunch, use a clean bathroom, or write a report.
The resource center has become a gathering place for residents. They stop by to chat, pick up pictures of recent community events, or talk about what’s going on in their lives. Programs have been held on drug treatment education and provided tools to help residents who face these challenges. During the recent Trick-or-Treat on Fleet event, face painting at the Resource Center was one of the most popular attractions. Neighborhood Connections Network Night was held at the resource center recently; contributing to it being seen as a place where neighbors gather to share their challenges and hopes, and learn new skills.
This resource center has been a dream of Odetta Fields for over three years. As she worked to bring this dream to reality, she was told by different influencers in Cleveland it was not needed, and that Slavic Village was not a suitable location. However, in the brief number of weeks since the Resource Center has been open, and the many residents they have helped and served, it is clear that Odetta’s vision was right on target. Perhaps some powers in Cleveland feel the people of Slavic Village don’t deserve to have their basic needs met, or it isn’t a priority. Odetta and her team are proving the objections wrong by weaving together a beloved community one person at a time, reminding us of what we can be to each other.
The Southeast Cleveland Resource Center is located at 5211 Fleet Avenue. Its hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – Saturday. (Evening hours are being planned for the near future). The Center’s phone number is (216) 266-0278.
