NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERSHIP - TRUE2U MENTORING - COMMUNITY HEALTH - YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

APRIL 2021

Monthly updates
and information from
The Institute
1) Summer Tennis returns
NLI will once again manage the City’s Summer Tennis Program. This summer-long program is for youth looking to learn or develop fundamental tennis skills. The program runs June 7th through July 29th. Registration is free. Due to COVID-19 health guidelines, all tennis lessons will be done by appointment only. Parents must complete both sides of this form, to be turned in to instructors at the court of your choice, or your nearest recreation center. Participants should wear athletic shoes and a hat. To learn more, contact Tasha Fairley at (216) 658-1360 ext. 209 or tasha@neighborhoodleadership.org
2) Save the Date for Drive-In Baby Shower
NLI Healthy Communities' next Drive-In Baby Shower will be Saturday May 22, from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. in the NLI parking lot at 5246 Broadway Avenue Cleveland 44127. This baby shower is for families who are expecting, or have infants 0 to 6 months. Registration for the baby shower will be required. Follow us on Facebook (@NLIhealthycommunities) to know when baby shower registration is open. If you are interested in volunteering or need more information, please contact Nailah Muhammad at nailah@neighborhoodleadership.org..
3) Baby on Board begins
Baby on Board officially begins Monday, April 26, 2021. The program serves pregnant families and families with children 0-1 year of age living in 44108, 44110 and 44112, who have transportation needs and are active with a partner family support program. Eligible family members can receive weekly bus passes to help with transportation needs. Yes, this can include Dad!!! If you are enrolled with a home visiting program, speak with your worker about Baby On Board. Not enrolled with a program or just want more information? Call the NLI Infant Vitality Hotline at (216) 658-1355.

FEATURES
NLI FEATURE:
NLI Healthy Communities Quarantine Series Interviews
Knowing that the COVID-19 health pandemic was impacting its ability to engage with residents, NLI's Healthy Communities team launched its Quarantine Series Interviews last year. Hosted on Facebook Live with staffer Nailah Muhammed, this semi-routine video resource covers important topics and allows staff and community members to interact together. You can go back and check them all out - including the April 8th interview with Birthing Beautiful Communities - on the NLI Healthy Communities Facebook page.
COMMUNITY FEATURE:
Invention Convention - Call for Judges
Ohio Invention League provides students in grades K - 12 an
interactive and interdisciplinary opportunity to use the invention
process to create and pitch an original product at the Ohio Invention Convention (OHIC). Prepare the future workforce and our future leaders by serving as a judge in this competition. Judges will come from a variety of disciplines and
areas of expertise. Volunteering from anywhere with an internet connection, you will ensure OHIC is an educational and fun experience for all students. Click here to learn more.
COMMUNITY FEATURE:
AmeriCorps is Recruiting
The AmeriCorps team at College Now works with Advisors and school-based staff to guide students through post-secondary exploration and preparation. AmeriCorps members celebrate diversity, creatively problem-solve, and embrace teamwork while preparing students for thriving and productive lives that contribute to the region's economic vitality. Check out the recruitment flyer here.
NLI SPOTLIGHT: Lewis Burrell III
Article submitted by Michael Oatman

When the legendary photographer and filmmaker Gordan Parks was a child, he observed: “I saw that the camera could be a weapon against poverty, against racism, against all sorts of social wrongs. I knew at that point I had to have a camera.” Despite the fact that this groundbreaking artist said these powerful words almost a half a century ago, his spirit still lives in the black community that he loved so dearly. Lewis Burrell has been birthed from that rich legacy. In the last decade Burrell, camera in hand, has become a community fixture. Almost unnoticed Burrell stands at the edge of the frame of our lives, always observing, always documenting, always creating.
    I am strongly committed to the community,” said Burrell, flashing that friendly, mega-watt smile that has become his calling card. As a proud Neighborhood Leadership Cleveland Class 36 grad, Burrell has found an opportunity to put his training to work. “My work at NLI was a really good experience. I met a lot of people who wanted to make Cleveland a better place,” Burrell, who was amazed at the large amount of information that he absorbed in the class. “You don’t know what you don’t know until you learn it,” said Burrell. After taking the class Burrell was launched back into his given career re-invigorated. In an age where so many come trudging into their work to discharge their given profession, Burrell enthusiastically loves being a photographic artist. “Photography gives me a chance to be creative and technical.” Since 2010, Burrell has excelled as a visual media producer who specializes in digital video and photography. His passions are entrepreneurship, positive development and family.
    “He does exceptional work and has a great eye for capturing moments,” said local Theater Director, Jeanine Gaskin. “Lewis is one of the best in the city.” Burrell has worked hard to cultivate this reputation and is passionate about professionalism in the workplace. 
    “People like working with people they trust---people know my work ethic,” said Burrell, who prefers to always lead by example. Last summer, this quiet leadership was on display as Burrell worked for Reclaim Youth Mentoring, a program which serves young men from 12 to 18. For Burrell this is a responsibility that he feels deeply: helping to guide and shape young people.
    “I am a born teacher, a connector,” said Burrell, who along with his mentoring duties, has three girls of his own and has been happily married for nearly 20 years. Burrell stays consistently busy working at endless events and juggling various digital projects. 
    “I like being an entrepreneur,” said the successful businessman who discovered years ago, that while some artists may struggle to find support, the photographer creates a product that people are always eager to consume. “It’s amazing, but people love buying photographs.” Burrell has found a comfortable niche in the digital space and enjoys the freedom that comes with being his own boss. “I enjoy it. No day is ever the same,” said Burrell, who feels blessed to live the life he has. As a passionate Christian, the teachings of the Bible are never far from his mind. “Everything I do has a faith element,” said Burrell, “I am passionate about serving God.”
PROGRAM UPDATES
NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERSHIP
NLC CLASS 37 IS IN FULL SWING

Neighborhood Leadership Cleveland, the flagship leadership training program for grassroots leaders in Northeast Ohio, has welcomed in Class 37. This group of neighborhood leaders has recently completed its sixth session of training. Class 37, whose membership is 30-strong, has already covered the following topics:
 
  • Neighborhood Leadership Institute & Neighborhood Leadership Cleveland history
  • Managing Conflict
  • Project Exploration
  • Strengths finder and Self-Awareness
  • Self-Care and Leading with Purpose
  • Using Your Voice and Community Organizing
APRIL NLC ALUMNI CHECK-IN

After taking March off, we resume with the monthly NLC Virtual Alumni Check-In. Join us on Friday April 23rd for a casual online gathering. Discuss updates, network and socialize with your fellow alums! We look forward to seeing you!

Click HERE to access the Zoom link.
COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB

NLI's Community Book Club continues with one of its highest participation rates. We are three weeks in to the discussion of Caste: The Origins of our Discontents and have another month of weekly social justice dialogues to follow. Stay tuned for the announcement of Book #7. We'd love to have you join us!
YOUTH ENGAGEMENT
MORE ON SUMMER TENNIS!

This year's Summer Tennis program will be hosted at 10 different City of Cleveland Courts:

Archmere, Gunning, Halloran, Harmody,
Humphrey, Impett, Jefferson, Kerruish,
Rockefeller and Warsaw Parks

Access the Registration form here. To learn more, you may also contact Tasha Fairley,(216) 658-1360 ext. 209 or tasha@neighborhoodleadership.org.
TRUE2U MENTORING
8TH GRADE MENTORING CONCLUDES NEXT MONTH

NLI is very proud to serve as a partner with the True2U Mentoring program. As we all know, 2020 and 2021 have presented major challenges for engagement, but our students, mentors and partners have all persevered to achieve ongoing success for this valuable and meaningful program. On May 6th, over 2,000 CMSD 8th graders and over 400 active mentors will enjoy the virtual True2U Finale Celebration for this school year. Thanks to all that made this possible!
SUMMER LEADERSHIP ACADEMY IS SET

The Summer Leadership Academy (SLA) will continue with remote programming this year. We have 35 students signed up and planning to join us for this enriching summer leadership training. The SLA will last for four weeks and students will attend a virtual session for 2 hours each day, Each week, SLA offers a theme and students will be assigned projects and daily journal prompts to complete outside of the remote group sessions. NLI proudly partners with Youth Opportunities Unlimited to present the Summer Leadership Academy.
STAY IN TOUCH

NLI is a leading community education organization in Cleveland, Ohio. We
impact the city through our work in: Neighborhood Leadership, True2U
Mentoring, Community Health and Youth Engagement
 
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