24
June
2019
|
10:49 AM
America/New_York

Institute for H.O.P.E.™ to bring services, programs to W. 25th Street to create opportunities and make life easier

Health, Opportunity, Partnership and Empowerment to create healthier lives

(Cleveland) – Thousands of people will have access to fresh food, job training classes and other resources when MetroHealth launches its new Institute for H.O.P.E.™ (Health, Opportunity, Partnership and Empowerment). Based on MetroHealth’s main campus, the Institute for H.O.P.E. will function as a neighborhood hub, bringing together programs and resources, creating opportunities for everyone in the community to have a chance at a better future.

Susan Fuehrer, former chief executive of the VA Northeast Ohio, will serve as president of the Institute, which is focused on fixing the root causes of health problems, removing obstacles and engaging community partners so more people can access what they need to help them grow, succeed and be healthier.

Plans include an Economic Opportunity Center, where residents can learn how to navigate the internet and build skills in resume writing and interviewing, a grocery store with fresh food offerings, legal counseling, financial literacy training, a food pantry, a workforce development center and community kitchen. MetroHealth will partner with Cuyahoga County Community College to open an Access Center in 2020, which will train individuals for jobs in health care, public safety, information technology and other vocations.

“Research shows that good health depends far less on your doctors than on the circumstances you were born in and the daily obstacles you encounter,” said MetroHealth President and CEO Dr. Akram Boutros. “Adverse Childhood Experiences and the stress that comes from things like poverty and the lack of opportunity has an enormous impact on a person’s physical health. The Institute for H.O.P.E. gives our community a chance to live healthier, more meaningful lives.”

Earlier this month, MetroHealth opened a smaller-scale resource center for residents living near its Buckeye Health Center at 2816 East 116th Street in Cleveland. That center provides services from Providence House, The Greater Cleveland Foodbank, the Domestic Violence Child Advocacy Center, Goodwill and The Legal Aid Society.

MetroHealth also plans to partner with Cuyahoga Community College to create an Access Center, which will train individuals for jobs in health care and the building trades. The center is scheduled to open in 2020.

In addition, MetroHealth is working with AT&T, MCPc and Digital C to bring affordable internet access to up to 1,000 homes near its campus.