Protect. Inspire. Nurture. Challenge.
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Dear
Greetings!,
It's the small things that we can take for granted. Like a warm winter coat, or a good night's rest.
Two weeks ago, we matched an ODA family with some generous holiday "angels" through our Adopt-a-Family Program.
These Angels learned that this 3-person family only had two, small twin beds for it's three family members. The mother hadn't slept on a bed in years, sacrificing her own rest and comfort so that her daughters could have beds of their own.
That's when we got the call: These Angels want to give the family all new beds
in addition to their Adopt-a-Family gifts.
The mother wept when we called her to ask if that would be OK.
It is your generosity during this season that makes our work possible. Whether it's adopting one of our families during the holiday season, mentoring a high school student, or making a gift to support our work throughout the year, your big hearts keep us moving forward.
I can sleep well at night because I know there are wonderful people in our community - people like you! - who want to make the world a better place for those in need.
In the spirit of the holidays,
thank you.
Thank you for all the ways you give and
all the ways you make the season bright.
Sincerely,
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Annemarie M. Grassi, PhD
President and Chief Executive Officer
Open Doors Academy
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ADOPT A FAMILY WITH ODA ☃️ ❄️
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This year, our Adopt-a-Family Program turns 12, and we would like to help 60 families enjoy the holidays by emphasizing two opportunities.
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ADOPT A FAMILY
We will match you with a family whose parents are unable to provide the kind of holidays that we would wish for them and their children. We'll provide you with a list of their holidays needs and wishes. That's when you get to
shop 'til you drop!
Family size varies, and we estimate that this program will require approximately $150 per family member.
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ODA SWEATSHIRTS
We can't "adopt" all of our families, but we strive to ensure that each child receives at least one present. In an effort to provide a useable and needed item, we provide each child with a sweatshirt to keep them warm.
Each sweatshirt costs $9.00, and any donation towards our goal helps make the Holidays special.
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ODA'S ANNUAL MEETING - SEE YOU TOMORROW!
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Learn about ODA's successes from the 2017-2018 school year, and get a sneak peak into our initiatives for the year ahead.
WHEN - Tomorrow!
Wednesday, December 5, 2018
4:30 to 5:30 pm
WHERE
ODA's Administrative Offices
1427 East 36th Street, Suite 4206A
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
Followed by a cocktail reception with light appetizers.
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ODA'S FIRST FRIENDSGIVING
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Open Doors Academy is more than a nonprofit organization; it is also a second family to it's scholars and employees. This year ODA hosted it's first ever Friendsgiving so we could celebrate the holiday with people we care so much about.
On Friday, November 16th more than 200 ODA scholars and staff gathered at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park for food and festivities.
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ANNUAL EVENING AT THE MUSEUM FAMILY EVENT
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Open Doors Academy hosted it's Annual Evening at the Museum Family Event on November 13th from 6:00-9:00 PM at the
Museum of Natural History
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Over 450 ODA scholars and their family members came for an evening of family engagement, fun, and learning! Attendees enjoyed a variety of exhibits, live animal & planetarium shows, and hands on learning activities!
Thank you to our Sponsors!!
This incredible event was made possible with the generous support of both John & Therese Gardner and Anne & Rollin Steele.
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SAINT LUKE’S FOUNDATION: SUPPORTING RESILIENT ODA FAMILIES
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The
Saint Luke’s Foundation
has provided support for our Family Advocacy Program over the past two years, allowing ODA to provide critical support and resources to the families of ODA scholars.
The Foundation first awarded ODA a grant in 2007 to develop evaluation tools for our still-burgeoning program at the St. Paul’s campus. It would take almost ten years to come to an appropriate funding opportunity based on the Foundation’s strategic focus areas.
In summer 2016, we restructured our family programming under the Family Advocacy model, expanding our reach and services to families. We approached the Foundation for support and were generously awarded funding that made a significant impact in helping to get new programming components, such as Parent Power Seminars, off the ground.
“I appreciate the fact that ODA recognized the importance of the family unit in supporting scholars’ success, and that they’ve been intentional about offering opportunities for scholars’ parents/families to learn and be supported,” said Christie Manning, Senior Program Officer at the Foundation. “I had the opportunity to participate in one of their Parent Power seminars earlier this year and was immediately drawn in by the welcoming staff and terrific facilitator, but also inspired by the wisdom and commitment of the room full of parents who had turned out on a Saturday to talk about the impact of trauma, and to engage with other parents. “
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12/5: ODA ANNUAL MEETING
ODA will host an Annual Meeting to present a review of our impact and a vision for the future. ODA will also recognize donors and volunteers.
12/19: HOLIDAY DINNER AND DANCE
The Holiday Dinner and Dance is ODA's annual holiday celebration at Windows on the River. ODA Families will gather to celebrate the holidays and enjoy a fun evening of dancing and dinner.
12/24 - 1/5: ODA OFFICES CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAYS
ODA is closed for the Holiday Break. Offices will reopen on Monday, January 7th.
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12/24 - 1/5: ODA OFFICES CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAYS
ODA is closed for the Holiday Break.
1/21: ODA OFFICES CLOSED FOR MLK DAY
ODA is closed on Monday, January 21st for Martin Luther King Day.
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Major gifts and grants to Open Doors Academy come from:
The Abington Foundation, The Ames Family Foundation, ArcelorMittal, Barbara McWilliams and Tom Piraino, Bruening Foundation, The Cleveland Foundation, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, CDBG, Cleveland Clinic, Deaconess Foundation, Dr. Malcolm Kenney, John Morley, Higley Fund, The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation, KeyBank Foundation, Lubrizol Foundation, The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Ohio Department of Education, The Reinberger Foundation, Robert Immerman, Saint Luke's Foundation, Starting Point, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, The Thomas H. White Foundation, Third Federal Foundation, The Treu-Mart Fund, United Way of Greater Cleveland.
For more information about gifts and giving, please visit
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