Forest City Community Land Trust hosts a block party on Desota Avenue in Cleveland Heights

April 17th, 2025

CONTACT: Lee Chilcote, [email protected] 

FutureHeights recently awarded grants to seven grassroots projects in Cleveland Heights and University Heights as part of its popular mini-grant program, which aims to assist groups of neighbors in volunteer-led projects that improve their communities. 

The recipients are as follows. 

Boulevard PTA was awarded $1,000 for its Lunch Bunch program, which provides enrichment opportunities during the school lunch hour. The program offers students meaningful opportunities for connection, mentorship, and social-emotional learning. 

Canterbury Elementary School PTA was awarded $740 to host its third annual Canterbury Flea, an outdoor community-wide flea market. The group plans to create more opportunities for youth entrepreneurship by engaging more kids in selling their own handmade wares. 

Dobama Theatre was awarded $1,000 to support its Drag Story Hour events in June and December 2025. At this family-friendly event, Cleveland drag queen Veranda L’Ni and friends will read children’s stories that champion inclusivity and acceptance, celebrating our unique differences, to an audience of young children (ages 3-8) and their parents and guardians. All kids get a free book. 

Forest City Community Land Trust was awarded $1,000 to construct a community garden on Desota Avenue. In addition to soil and fencing for the garden, the funds will be used to help pay for a block party to celebrate the group’s accomplishments while also building community among neighbors. 

Lake Erie Ink was awarded $1,000 for Creative Neighborhood Days, a project which consists of four community workshops featuring a guest artist, a project, and a shared meal. Community members will be invited to engage in this program at LEI’s new storefront space on Taylor Road. 

Noble Neighbors was awarded $500 for its Native Gardens project to turn two gardens at Noble and Monticello Roads into native gardens. The funds will be used to purchase plants and install them at the new location. 

The Cedar Fairmount SID was awarded $1,000 to support hiring local artists at the Cedar Fairmount Summer Festival, which takes place on Sunday, August 10th from 12-4 pm. 

Congratulations to all the mini-grantees! For more information on FutureHeights, visit www.futureheights.org.